Head of Herbert Smith Freehills' Global Arbitration Practice, Paula Hodges QC, has officially begun her Presidency of the LCIA Court. Lauded by the legal directories as "brilliant" and the "most complete arbitration practitioner in London", Paula has over 25 years' experience advising clients in international disputes, particularly in the energy, telecommunications and technology sectors. Paula has been Vice President of the Court for several years and also a LCIA Board member for a decade. Paula has taken over the role from outgoing President Judith Gill QC in May 2019 and will continue in practice at Herbert Smith Freehills whilst undertaking her new LCIA responsibilities.
Commenting on her appointment Paula said: "After 125 years of being London's premier arbitral institution, the LCIA continues to go from strength to strength and I look forward to helping steer the LCIA to future success. I am immensely grateful for the support I have received from the LCIA and Herbert Smith Freehills to enable me to take up my new role."
A full listing of all LCIA Court Members can be viewed here. May Tai, Managing partner of HSF's Greater China practice, became a new member of the LCIA Court as of May 2019. Andrew Cannon has also become an officer of the LCIA European Users' Council.
Brenda Horrigan, the firm's Head of International Arbitration, Australia, has also received a new appointment, being appointed the first female President of the Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (ACICA) – the country's international dispute resolution institution. Brenda began her tenure leading ACICA on 15 April, almost a year after she was elected an Executive Director of the Centre's Board. Brenda, a US-qualified lawyer, has nearly 20 years' experience in international arbitration and is consistently ranked in Chambers and in Global Arbitration Review's Who's Who: Legal as a leading arbitration practitioner. She has practiced previously in the US, Paris, Moscow, and Shanghai, and is now based in Sydney. Brenda comments, "I am delighted to have been chosen as president of ACICA, after serving as an Executive Director for the past year. I would like to thank the current president, Alex Baykitch AM, for his service to ACICA, and look forward to helping steer ACICA as it moves from strength to strength."
Meanwhile, Partner, Leon Chung, has been appointed Councillor and Vice President of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Australia. The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators exists for the global promotion, facilitation and development of all forms of private dispute resolution. In addition to providing education, training and accreditation for arbitrators, mediators and adjudicators, CIArb acts as an international centre for practitioners, policymakers, academics and the business community. CIArb Australia is one of 40 branches offering institute members a prestigious, globally-recognised qualification and access to a global professional community and regular networking opportunities. Commenting on his appointment, which has just commenced, Leon stated "I am thrilled to be given this opportunity to work with my colleagues at the CIArb to continue the excellent work of the committee in promoting the use of arbitration across Australia".