Herbert Smith Freehills has appointed Rod Howell as a partner to its Singapore based Banking and Finance practice to enhance the firm’s existing broad-based banking and finance capability and further strengthen its position as Asia Pacific’s largest fully integrated law firm.
Rod has 20 years’ experience advising on financings in Asia, Australia, UK and US. He will leverage his existing network and experience to grow his new practice at Herbert Smith Freehills and provide clients with specialist financing expertise.
‘Since the merger in October, we have been working to build our banking and finance group to ensure we have the right network and expertise in place in Asia Pacific to deliver our clients a seamless service for all of their financing needs,’ said Patrick St John, Global Head of Practice – Finance. ‘Rod’s expertise and experience advising on some of the region’s most significant and challenging structured finance transactions will add to our already strong global banking and finance practice.’
‘Rod’s experience advising across a number of major international regions from having lived and worked in Sydney, London, Hong Kong, New York and Singapore also uniquely positions him to help further integrate the banking and finance offering across the entire network,’ said St John.
Rod joins the Herbert Smith Freehills team from Allens Arthur Robinson where he was the head of their Asian finance team specialising in asset and structured financings including for aircraft, shipping, rolling stock and infrastructure. Rod will be joined at Herbert Smith Freehills by Senior Associate Jeremy Chase, who worked with him at Allens.
Rod Howell is excited to be joining the firm at this time:
‘Herbert Smith Freehills’ already has an extensive footprint throughout Asia Pacific, including some market leading local offerings, backed with a strong brand and reputation globally. With Asia the fulcrum around which the recent merger was based, the firm has a clear ambition, intent and commitment to growing its market position in the region. I look forward to being a part of this future success.’
Prior to joining Allens, Rod was a partner with Clifford Chance working across the firm’s London, New York and Hong Kong offices leading their regional asset finance practice.
Rod is admitted to practice in New South Wales (Australia), England and Wales and is a Registered Foreign Lawyer in Singapore.
