New King's Counsel and Hong Kong solicitor-advocate appointments for market-leading Asia disputes practice

The expertise of the firm's leading Asia disputes practice has been recognised with two prestigious solicitor-advocate appointments.

• Seoul partner Mike McClure was the only solicitor-advocate amongst 95 King's Counsel (KC) appointed by King Charles III in England and Wales on 23 December 2023. Mike becomes one of four KCs practising at Herbert Smith Freehills, joining Paula Hodges, Chris Parker and Simon Chapman.

• On 15 December 2022, partner Kathryn Sanger was awarded higher rights of audience in Hong Kong. Kathryn is the firm's third Hong Kong solicitor advocate, following Simon Chapman KC's appointment in 2015 and Antony Crockett's in 2019. There were only two higher rights appointments for 2022.

"Many congratulations to Mike and Kathryn on these appointments – their recognition is well deserved," said Asia head of disputes Simon Chapman KC. "Their appointments reflect the complexity of the work undertaken for clients by our disputes team in Asia. It's also a great reflection of the home-grown talent we incubate within our own ranks."

"These are tremendous achievements which demonstrate the strength of our Global Arbitration practice. With four KCs now practising across our global network and an increasing number of our lawyers obtaining rights of audience, the Firm's advocacy offering goes from strength to strength. It is particularly impressive to note that Mike was the only solicitor-advocate to become a silk this year," said Paula Hodges KC, head of global arbitration.

Following these appointments, Herbert Smith Freehills will have two KCs and three Hong Kong solicitor-advocates based in Asia.

"I am delighted to be appointed King's Counsel," said Mike. "The appointment provides new opportunities to support our Asia clients in resolving complex international commercial disputes.”

"Likewise, I am excited about the opportunities that come with having higher rights," said Kathryn. "In particular, being able to appear in the Hong Kong courts enables us to provide a one-stop service for clients, and to deal with the enforcement and set aside of arbitration awards.”