Herbert Smith Freehills hires disputes specialist Ben Jolley in Tokyo

Leading international law firm Herbert Smith Freehills has hired international arbitration and construction disputes specialist Ben Jolley as Head of Construction Disputes, Japan, in the firm's Tokyo office.

An alumnus of the firm, Ben is a skilled international arbitration practitioner with a focus on construction, infrastructure and energy disputes.

He has deep experience in the Japanese legal market, having worked almost exclusively with Japanese clients over the past 12 years.

Ben joins as a partner* of Herbert Smith Freehills, and is the fourth partner to join the firm's Asia Disputes team in 2024, following the hire of Pariyapol Kamolsilp in Bangkok in April, and Chris Clay in Tokyo and Murphy Mok in Hong Kong, who were promoted to partner in May.

"I'm delighted to welcome Ben back to Herbert Smith Freehills," said Tokyo head of disputes David Gilmore. "His legal skills and deep understanding of our Japanese clients make him a valuable addition at a time of rising client demand."

Ben rejoins the firm after three years at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI) in Tokyo, most recently as director of MHI's international counsel team. 

"Adding Pariyapol, Murphy and now Ben strengthens our market-leading construction, infrastructure and energy disputes practice across Asia," said Simon Chapman KC, global co-head of international arbitration.

"Japan is an important market for our firm, and we will continue to invest across our Tokyo practices to provide exceptional head-office support for our Japanese clients' global ambitions."

*While Ben will join Herbert Smith Freehills as a partner, his title will be Head of Construction Disputes, Japan, while his licence application to advise in Japan as a Gaikokuho Jimu Bengoshi is considered by the Japanese legal authorities.

About Ben Ben has experience of disputes involving jurisdictions across Asia, Europe, Africa and North America, conducting arbitrations under various institutional rules (ICC, LCIA, SIAC, JCAA and ICSID) and before ad-hoc tribunals (UNCITRAL Rules), with seats in Asia, Europe and North America.  He has advised on many high-value matters, including cross-border commercial contract disputes, investment treaty claims and sanctions. He has particular experience in the construction, infrastructure, energy, technology, pharmaceutical and manufacturing sectors.  Ben graduated from the University of Warwick with a bachelor's degree in law before qualifying into the Global Arbitration team in then Herbert Smith's London office in 2010. He relocated to the firm's Tokyo office in May 2012, joining Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in January 2021.