Global, sector focused law firm HFW has continued to expand its fast-growing Australia practice with hire of leading commercial litigation and international arbitration partner, Bronwyn Lincoln.

Bronwyn specialises in international commercial arbitration and high value multi-jurisdictional disputes, with a focus on international trade, shareholder and joint venture and project/infrastructure disputes. She joins HFW's Melbourne office from Corrs Chambers Westgarth. Bronwyn previously spent over a decade as a partner at Herbert Smith Freehills (formerly Freehills).

Bronwyn's hire follows HFW's recruitment of a disputes team in Perth last month, led by leading commercial litigator Paul D Evans – the former State Solicitor for Western Australia.

HFW has now added ten new partners in Australia since 2020 across front-end construction and infrastructure, disputes and international arbitration and workplace relations, as well as internal promotions in commodities, insurance and energy transition.

Bronwyn is renowned by her peers, colleagues and clients as a leader in her field and is recognised in Band 1 for Dispute Resolution: Arbitration - Australia in both Chambers Asia-Pacific and Global Guides, as a Leading Individual, Australia for Dispute Resolution: Arbitration in Legal 500, as a Leading Arbitration Lawyer by Who’s Who Legal and as a Preeminent Australian Arbitration Lawyer by Doyles.

Bronwyn has advised and acted for clients across a range of industry sectors, including technology, commodities, insurance, telecommunications, property, mining and resources, energy (including renewables) and pharmaceutical. She has experience in all aspects of international arbitration, including UNCITRAL, LCIA, ACICA, SIAC, HKIAC and AIAC administered proceedings.

Bronwyn also regularly sits as an international arbitrator and is empanelled with many of the world’s leading arbitral institutions. Amongst other roles, she is one of Australia’s four designated conciliators for ICSID.

Gavin Vallely, Managing Partner, HFW Australia:

I am very pleased to welcome Bronwyn to HFW. The expansion of our disputes practice is a key element of our ongoing growth strategy in Australia, and Bronwyn brings a wealth of experience and has a phenomenal global reputation for her work in international litigation and arbitration matters. Her vast experience across our core sectors will enhance our offering to our clients, in particular with respect to cross-border disputes.

In addition to her disputes practice, Bronwyn also advises on dispute resolution procedures, conflict of laws and public international law. She also provides pro bono work and has acted in a number of high profile prosecution cases.

Bronwyn Lincoln, Partner, HFW:

This is an exciting time to be joining HFW as the firm continues its growth trajectory in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region, and I am looking forward to being a part of its growing disputes practice. HFW has a rapidly growing reputation as being one of the leading law firms in international arbitration and cross border disputes and I am excited by the opportunity to work alongside partners in Australia and in the firm’s global network to build on that reputation.

Jeremy Shebson, Global Managing Partner, HFW:

I am delighted to have Bronwyn joining us. The continued growth of our business in Australia is a priority as we progress the implementation of our plan to take our Australian business to the next level. Bronwyn's appointment also aligns with our global growth strategy and commitment to strengthen our dispute resolution capability.”

HFW was one of the first international law firms in Australia, launching in the country in 2006. The firm advises clients in Australia and across Asia-Pacific on aviation, commodities, construction, projects, employment, energy and resources, insurance, shipping, commercial litigation, corporate, and finance.

HFW's Australia revenue has increased by almost 80% over the past six years and now accounts for more than 10% of the firm's total annual revenue, making it the firm's third-largest market globally, after London and Hong Kong.

The firm has almost 100 lawyers in Australia– including 24 partners – across its offices in Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, and more than 350 specialist disputes lawyers throughout its offices in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific.

HFW recently launched in the British Virgin Islands with the acquisition of a leading disputes practice