Herbert Smith Freehills Boosts Singapore Team With Allens Hire

Herbert Smith Freehills has hired Rod Howell as a partner for its banking and finance practice in Singapore. Previously head of the Asia finance team at Australian firm Allens, Howell in 2011 advised a group of nine lenders led by ANZ Bank on a $600 million loan to Indonesian subsidiaries of Sydney-based construction services provider Leighton Holdings.

Jessica Seah

The Asian Lawyer

2013-02-08 01:28:37 PM

Herbert Smith Freehills has hired a new partner for its banking and finance practice in Singapore.

Rod Howell was previously the head of the Asia finance team at Australian firm Allens.

He specializes in syndicated lending, as well as structured finance transactions. In 2011, Howell led an Allens team that advised Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd., United Overseas Bank Ltd. and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corp. on a $190 million syndicated loan to Sinochem International Overseas Pte. Ltd. Also that year, he advised a group of nine lenders led by ANZ Bank on a $600 million loan to Indonesian subsidiaries of Sydney-based construction services provider Leighton Holdings Ltd.

Howell will be making the move to Herbert Smith Freehills with one associate.

Prior to rejoining Allens' Singapore office in 2010, Howell was a partner and regional asset finance head in Clifford Chance's New York office. He also previously worked for the Magic Circle firm in London and Hong Kong.

With Howell on board, Herbert Smith Freehills will have 56 lawyers in Singapore, including 13 partners.