Global, sector-focused law firm HFW has continued the rapid expansion of its international construction practice and its Asia Pacific business with the appointment of leading construction disputes partner Simon Bellas.
Simon joins HFW from Jones Day, where he led the firm’s Engineering, Procurement, Infrastructure and Construction practice in Australia. He will relocate to Singapore to join HFW.
With around 25 years’ experience in complex construction and engineering disputes, and as an international arbitration authority, Simon advises major international contractors across offshore construction, oil & gas, renewable energy projects, mining, power, and transport infrastructure.
Simon has established a close connection with Singapore over his career. Most recently, he spent four years in the country before moving to Melbourne in 2021 to establish Jones Day’s construction practice in that jurisdiction. Earlier in his career, Simon spent a year on secondment at a global offshore construction contractor in Singapore and he has previously been based in Perth as the Partner in Charge of Jones Day’s office (2013-2018).
HFW has now added eight construction partners globally since the beginning of FY24, including Sean Marriott in Perth in October 2024, Steven Yip and Malcolm Chin in Hong Kong and Tom Hutchison in London in May 2024, in addition to the 2023 appointments of Helen Lee in Singapore, Slava Kiryushin in Dubai and Ken Hickman in Melbourne, the latter of whom also joined the firm from Jones Day. Simon and Ken have worked closely together for most of the last 20 years (including on major Singapore-seated international arbitrations and SICC proceedings), and they will again reunite under the HFW banner.
Simon’s arrival also continues the growth of HFW’s Singapore office, following the recent hires of disputes and international arbitration Partner Shaun Leong and Senior Associate Theodore Ang and Legal Director Sinyee Ong.
Michael Sergeant, Head of Construction, HFW: “Our global construction team has more than doubled in size since the start of FY24, and we plan to continue to grow our offering to meet client demand. Simon is a standout addition to our expanding practice. A leading practitioner in offshore construction disputes, he has acted on many of the largest and most complex international arbitrations and litigation in the Asia Pacific region. His deep experience across Asia and Australia, including time spent in-house, will be invaluable to our clients across the region.”
Adam Richardson, Singapore Office Head, HFW: “Simon is our third senior hire in Singapore in recent months, and I’m delighted to welcome him to the firm. His track record in offshore construction disputes, particularly in oil and gas and renewables, aligns strongly with our client base and complements the work of our commodities and shipping teams, both here in Singapore and throughout Asia Pacific.”
Simon Bellas, Partner, HFW, said: “I’m excited to be joining HFW and returning to Singapore, where I’ve worked closely with clients for many years. The firm’s sector focus, investment in construction, and reputation as a leading advisor to contractors aligns perfectly with my practice. I look forward to reconnecting with Ken Hickman and collaborating with HFW’s other construction specialists and clients across the region.”
Simon’s hire also continues a period of sustained global growth for HFW. The firm has added more than 50 partners since the start of FY23, including team and partner hires in Hong Kong, Kuwait City, London, Melbourne, Paris, Perth, Piraeus, Riyadh, and Sydney.
HFW’s Singapore office, which this year marks its 35th anniversary, has nearly 40 lawyers and 70 people in total, forming part of an Asia Pacific team of 64 partners and more than 250 lawyers in total.
The firm’s global construction practice now includes 18 partners and more than 90 lawyers, advising on procurement, risk management, and disputes across the full project lifecycle on some of the world’s most complex and high-value developments.
