Herbert Smith Freehills (HSF) has chosen its next Greater China managing partner.
Hong Kong partner May Tai will succeed partner Julian Copeman as HSF’s Greater China chief on 1 October. Copeman, who also heads the firm’s disputes practice, will be returning to the UK.
Tai will be leading 300 partners, lawyers, and staff in HSF’s Beijing, Hong Kong, and Shanghai offices. She will be leading the offices with support from Tom Chau and Nanda Lau, the firm’s heads in Beijing and Shanghai, respectively. She will also be working closely with HSF’s Asia practice group leaders.
The appointment comes during a period of growth in the region, said Justin D’Agostino, HSF’s Asia and Australia managing partner.
"Herbert Smith Freehills' Asia practice is growing at a rapid rate, especially in Greater China,” D’Agostino said. “May knows our business and our people, and is the ideal candidate to lead the team to further success. An excellent lawyer, popular with clients and colleagues alike, she has worked in a number of our offices and is an outstanding role model for diversity and people development in our business."
Tai, a respected mediator and arbitrator, specialises in China-related disputes, acting for both Chinese and non-Chinese clients. The Oxford graduate, who joined the firm in 2001 before becoming a partner in 2010, speaks Mandarin, Cantonese, Bahasa Malaysia, Bahasa Indonesia, and English. She is qualified in both England and Wales and in Hong Kong.
May Tai
Related stories:
$800m redevelopment, $722.5m sale proceed with HSF’s aid
HSF fields international team for US$1.86bn telco deal
