Justin D’Agostino is the firm's Global CEO.
Justin D'Agostino is the Global CEO, leading the firm's client, people, practice and growth strategies across its global network. He works closely with many of the firm's largest clients and leads the firm's 6,000-plus team of talented people.
During his 27-year career with the firm, Justin has played a central role in the growth of several of its most successful businesses, including heading up its market-leading Disputes practice, its expansion across Asia, and most recently the successful combination, integration and growth of Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer as a leading global law firm. Under his leadership, the firm has continued to invest in innovation, technology and AI while strengthening its position in key growth markets around the world.
An internationally recognised arbitration and dispute resolution practitioner, Justin has appeared before and sat on tribunals worldwide.
He currently leads the firm's Global Executive and remains actively engaged with clients and the international legal community.
A long-standing advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion, Justin founded the firm's first LGBT+ network in 2007 and continues to champion initiatives that support greater representation and opportunity across the profession. His personal patronage of the arts and youth education spans Asia, Australia and the UK.
His professional, business and community credentials include:
- Vice-Chair of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), headquartered in Paris
- Board Member of the Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation
- Co-chair of the Host Committee for ICCA 2024 in Hong Kong
- the Justin D'Agostino & KC Yeo scholarship with the Pinnacle Foundation
Experience & capabilities
Selected matters
- representing the Government of Korea on the first investment treaty arbitration under the US-Korea Free Trade Agreement (Jin Hae Seo v. Republic of Korea)
- advising the Government of Malaysia on a US$1.2 billion arbitration against the Republic of Singapore concerning the interpretation of a bilateral treaty
- advising Grand Pacific Holdings Limited on its high-profile and successful appeal against a decision by the Hong Kong Court of First Instance to set aside an ICC arbitral award in its favour
Sectors
Background
Justin joined the firm in 1998 and became a partner in 2007.
He led the firm's Global Disputes practice and its Asia region from 2014 to 2020.
A native of Edinburgh, Scotland, Justin graduated with a bachelor's degree in law from the University of Aberdeen in 1996.
He is admitted as a solicitor in Hong Kong and as a solicitor advocate in England.
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