Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer has appointed Hong Kong-based dispute resolution specialist Georgia Dawson as its new Asian regional managing partner. 

Dawson, who will replace Robert Ashworth, is the firm’s first female regional managing partner in more than a decade. She will divide her time between Hong Kong and Singapore, focusing on growing the firm’s business across Asia. 

She has been with Freshfields for 13 years and has handled many high-profile and cross-border disputes as well as contentious regulatory matters. 

Dawson began her career as an associate at Herbert Smith Freehills’ Sydney office in 1999. In 2004, she joined Freshfields as a senior associate in Hong Kong and London. She became a partner at the firm in 2012.  

According to Freshfields’ media release, outgoing MP Ashworth will now join the leadership of the firm’s international M&A group as co-head global M&A. He will be working with fellow co-heads Bruce Embley in London and Matt Herman in New York.