Press Releases

Holman Fenwick Willan takes action on Equal Representation in Arbitration

International law firm Holman Fenwick Willan (HFW) has signed the Equal Representation in Arbitration Pledge to encourage and enable more women to join the arbitration community.

The Pledge, which was launched in May 2016 by a steering committee comprising of representatives from across the arbitration industry including corporations, arbitral institutions, as well as practitioners, seeks to increase the number of women appointed as arbitrators in order to achieve a fair representation to benefit the arbitration community as a whole.

HFW is recognised for our expertise in the arbitration arena, and has particular strengths in international arbitration, as well as in shipping, trade, and commodities arbitration. HFW's commitment to the Pledge also supports the firm's gender equality and diversity initiatives, for example last year HFW announced a target of 30% female partners by 2020. This year, 44% of all new Partners, and 55% of all new Senior Associates promoted were women.

Damian Honey, Head of HFW's International Arbitration practice, said "Having reviewed our strategy and looked at how we can meet the expectations set out in the Pledge, we are delighted to have signed. We are committed to achieving the goals we have now set ourselves, across all of our offices, whether here in Europe, Asia Pacific, or the Middle East, to achieve fair representation of female arbitrators both here at HFW and in the wider community e.g. by encouraging our clients to adopt the Pledge”.

Marcus Bowman, HFW's Managing Partner said "Signing the Equal Representation in Arbitration Pledge is a positive step for the firm and demonstrates our continuing commitment to gender equality both in the legal profession, and the industries we service. We see the Pledge as benefiting the whole arbitration community”.