Herbert Smith Freehills has fortified its international arbitration practice in Japan with the addition of Ben Jolley to its bench heading the firm’s construction disputes team in Tokyo.
This marks a return to the UK firm for Jolley, who was most recently director of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ international counsel team, more than three years after leaving to join the Japanese heavy machinery maker as senior legal counsel.
Tokyo head of disputes David Gilmore said: “His legal skills and deep understanding of our Japanese clients make him a valuable addition at a time of rising client demand.”
Jolley, who started his legal career as an associate in international arbitration at Herbert Smith in 2010, has rejoined as a partner but his title will be Japan head of construction disputes while his registered foreign lawyer’s licence application is being considered by the Japanese legal authorities, the firm says.
Having first relocated to the UK firm’s Tokyo office in 2012, Jolley specialises in advising on arbitration cases, including cross-border commercial contract disputes, involving jurisdictions such as Asia, Europe and North America. With experience in areas including construction, infrastructure and manufacturing, the Tokyo-based construction disputes specialist also served as director of international disputes for more than two years at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Tokyo.
