Herbert Smith LLP announced that Jessica Fei has joined the global disputes practice today as a partner. She will be based in Beijing as part of the firm’s over 80-lawyer Asia disputes team – the largest group of dispute resolution specialists of any international law firm operating in Asia.
Jessica is a highly regarded international arbitration specialist, having worked for a number of years with leading firms in New York and Asia. She spent eight years working as a case manager with CIETAC in Beijing and the ICDR/AAA in New York and is currently listed as a panel arbitrator for the ICDR, CIETAC, HKIAC, KLRCA, CEAC (Chinese European Arbitration Centre, Germany), Shanghai Arbitration Commission, Wuhan Arbitration Commission and Xiamen Arbitration Commission.
Jessica’s practice focuses on large-scale international arbitration, litigation and regulatory investigations for clients that include PRC State Owned Enterprises and energy majors, global multinationals and major regional corporates.
Jessica is qualified in the PRC and in New York and is a native Mandarin Chinese and fluent English speaker. In her new role as a partner in Herbert Smith’s Beijing office, she will be working closely with Herbert Smith’s arbitration specialists across the region, in particular with Justin D’Agostino in Hong Kong, May Tai in Beijing and Sarah Munro in Shanghai.
In addition to Jessica’s arrival, senior associate Simon Chapman has relocated to Hong Kong after spending a number of years with Herbert Smith’s international arbitration teams in London and Paris. Simon has particular experience of disputes in the energy sector, having worked on a number of significant international arbitrations for global energy majors, national oil companies and government agencies.
Justin D’Agostino, head of the Greater China international arbitration practice, commented:
“The market for international arbitration and other disputes work in Greater China and for mainland Chinese clients operating abroad has grown significantly in recent years. These companies expect international law firms to have a dedicated team based in the mainland. Jessica’s appointment and Simon’s relocation demonstrate our continued focus on China and strong commitment to clients in the PRC and Hong Kong SAR.
With Jessica and Simon joining the practice, it reinforces Herbert Smith’s reputation as the largest, and most experienced, disputes team in Greater China with a multilingual team of arbitration specialists.”
Mark Johnson, head of Asia disputes, added:
“We are very excited by Jessica’s arrival. There are few candidates in the market with her background and experience, and Jessica will play a key role as counsel in arbitrations involving Chinese parties.
In recent years we have advised on a growing number of disputes involving energy companies. With Jessica and Simon in the team we are well positioned to build on our existing reputation as the leading energy disputes firm in China and across Asia.
Paula Hodges, co-head of Herbert Smith’s international arbitration practice commented: “Our China practice has undergone unprecedented expansion and growth in recent years. We are delighted to welcome Jessica and Simon to the China team. They will boost our fast-developing practice in China and Asia, and complement our existing strengths in Europe, Russia and the Middle East.”
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