Herbert Smith Freehills promotes seven arbitration specialists to Counsel and Knowledge Counsel

Herbert Smith Freehills has promoted five new Counsel and two new Knowledge Counsel from within the global arbitration practice with effect from 1 May 2025.

With promotions in Bangkok, Hong Kong, Tokyo and Dubai, the new Counsel are:

Rachata Champathong – Rachata's expertise encompasses a broad spectrum of areas, including international arbitration, class actions, cross-border disputes, and commercial litigation. He regularly appears as an advocate in Thai courts, handling high-value and complex disputes.

Aaron McDonald - Aaron specialises in international commercial arbitration, with a focus on private capital, M&A, joint venture and shareholder disputes. He also has significant experience in the energy, mining and infrastructure sectors. In addition to commercial arbitration, Aaron represents clients in investment treaty arbitration and advises on issues of public international law, particularly those arising in respect of transboundary energy and infrastructure projects.

Michael McErlaine – Michael advises Japanese and international clients on how to resolve their most complex cross-border disputes. Michael has advised on and appeared as counsel in a range of high-value disputes in the pharmaceuticals, private capital and energy sectors. Michael's practice also includes acting on significant M&A, joint venture and shareholder disputes.  He has extensive experience in international arbitration under all of the major institutional rules including JCAA, ICC, LCIA, SIAC, HKIAC and UNCITRAL as well as ad hoc arbitrations.

Jedsarit Sahussarungsi – Jedsarit advises clients on all aspects of domestic and international arbitration, ranging from arbitration agreements, pre-arbitration, arbitration and award enforcement strategies. He also acted for clients in arbitration proceedings arising under the rules of major arbitration institutions, including HKIAC, ICC, SIAC TAI and THAC. Given his past experience in corporate M&A and capital markets, he frequently advises clients on disputes arising from complex commercial transactions. In 2019, he successfully obtained the first ever judgment from the Thai Supreme Court granting the enforcement of costs award. 

Janine Mallis – Janine has worked on a wide range of complex commercial disputes for local and international clients. Her experience includes dispute resolution through international arbitration in the LCIA, ICC, DIFC-LCIA, DIAC and ad hoc arbitrations and litigation in the English, DIFC and regional Middle Eastern courts. Janine was part of the team that successfully defended the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) against proceedings brought by the Pakistan Cricket Board before the International Cricket Council Dispute Panel. 

The two newly promoted Knowledge Counsel, based in London, are:

Liz Kantor – Liz provides technical advice to clients and colleagues on complex issues relating to international arbitration. She also helps to lead and drive the firm's thought leadership and client and external engagement on key developments in arbitration, and is particularly interested in deriving client insights from the firm's arbitration data. Liz also supports the management of the global arbitration practice in business planning and strategy development.

Noe Minamikata – Noe is a construction law specialist who provides technical advice to clients and colleagues on complex issues relating to both UK and international construction disputes. Noe supports the firm's Global Construction & Infrastructure Disputes Practice by driving thought leadership initiatives, including through publications and other knowhow materials, and devising and delivering internal and external training. As practice manager, Noe is also responsible for advising the Global Construction & Infrastructure Disputes Practice on strategic planning, practice efficiency and broader client engagement strategies.

Simon Chapman KC, Global Co-Head of International Arbitration, comments: "Congratulations to all our promoted lawyers. This significant round of promotions showcases the wealth of arbitration talent we are able to call on right across our global network."