Matthew Townsend brings more than a decade of experience acting as arbitration counsel
Reed Smith has appointed Matthew Townsend as partner in its London and Hong Kong litigation team and international arbitration practice.
Townsend joins from Fangda & Partners in Hong Kong where he was counsel. He started his career at legacy KWM firm, SJ Berwin in London, before joining Norton Rose Fulbright in Beijing and Hong Kong, and subsequently Fangda.
With over a decade of experience acting as arbitration counsel in complex and high-stakes arbitration proceedings, including ad-hoc and administered arbitrations under the rules of major institutions and in major arbitral seats, Townsend brings a wealth of experience to the firm.
His practice focuses on disputes relating to M&A and the energy, infrastructure, construction and technology sectors.
“Reed Smith Richards Butler LLP has an outstanding reputation,” said Townsend. “It’s a firm with an impressive global foot print and truly collaborative approach to supporting clients’ needs. I am delighted to be joining the firm.”
Townsend speaks and reads Mandarin and has practical experience of a number of China-specific arbitration issues including: China-seated arbitration; med-arb; and Hong Kong-seated emergency arbitration. He regularly acts as advocate at procedural and merits hearings.
He is a regular writer and speaker on issues of business and law in China. He has authored over 70 articles and book chapters on the topic of arbitration. He is also an occasional adjunct lecturer on international arbitration at Hong Kong University.
“Our international arbitration practice is going from strength to strength,” said Kyri Evagora, Reed Smith’s Asia-Pacific managing partner. “Matt is a fantastic addition for our firm and our clients in Asia and globally.”
Lianjun Li, lead partner of Reed Smith Richards Butler LLP’s Hong Kong litigation team, added: “Matt is a well-established lawyer within the arbitration community in Hong Kong and so we’re delighted to welcome him to the firm. He has extensive experience of advising clients on their high-stakes arbitration matters. As we continue to grow our disputes offering in the region, he is exactly the talent we need.”
