Most Highly Regarded Firms: Shipping & Maritime 2010

• October 2010

• Shipping & Maritime

Our extensive research uncovers 449 shipping and maritime experts worldwide. We highlight some of the leading firms and practitioners.

Global

Holman Fenwick Willan LLP excels in our international findings again this year with 25 lawyers listed. In London, where six names feature, James Gosling is “a terrific lawyer” and “a leader in the field”. One of the most highly nominated individuals in our research, contributors praised his “outstanding expertise” across the whole range of shipping issues and a particular skill for salvage. Hugh Livingstone is “a very active, pragmatic and capable lawyer” who focuses mainly on dispute resolution arising from charter parties, bills of lading and sale contracts. Also acclaimed for dry work in particular is “extremely impressive” senior partner Richard Crump. A further six partners are featured in Hong Kong, where Henry Dunlop is “first class”, Paul Hatzer is “a key player” and Paul Apostolis is “fantastic”. Shanghai-based consultant to the firm Peter Rees Smith is a “tremendously knowledgeable” figure repeatedly recommended to researchers. Chris Quennell joins him on the list as a “very highly regarded practitioner”. In Singapore, Simon Davidson is “incredibly well known”. In Australia, Robert Sprigall receives a “double tick” and in the UAE, Dubai-based Edward Newitt is “marvellous”. In France Jean-Jacques Ollu is “a definite for inclusion” and Guillaume Brajeux enjoys a “wonderful reputation”.

Ince & Co stands out heads and shoulders in our research with 26 inclusions, eight of whom are based in London. Who’s Who Legal’s Shipping & Maritime Lawyer of the Year 2010, Jonathan Lux, receives particular praise. He sets a “gold standard” and is a “first-rate practitioner with a profound depth of knowledge and invaluable industry expertise”. Colin de la Rue is “superb”. A “guru for pollution” he has acted in most major pollution incidents since the Exxon Valdez disaster in 1989. “Wet-shipping expert” James Wilson is “brilliant” and Paul Herring is “top tier”, with a particular flair for the resolution of commercial disputes. Oliver Weiss receives reams of praise and is an “industry favourite”. Five names feature for Hong Kong where Andrew Chan is “a star”, David Beaves is “great” and Harry Hirst is highly recommended. A Piraeus-based trio “simply have to be on the list”, comprising Jonathan Elvey, Robin Parry and Antonis Lagadianos. Dubai-based Bob Deering is “enormously effective”. An “incredible thinker”, Deering brings a broad-ranging commercial expertise to his “impermeable advice”. In Hamburg, Axel Salander is “a very practical and perceptive practitioner”.

13 lawyers are included from Clyde & Co. London-based head of the marine and energy insurance team Nigel Chapman is “highly skilled”. Andrew Preston is “excellent for shipping and trade disputes”. With three lawyers featuring in the UAE, the firm has the most partner inclusions for the region. Christopher Mills is a “superb” lawyer with 13 years’ experience in Dubai that clients “cannot praise enough”. Alec Emmerson possesses “a wealth of knowledge” and Brian Nash is a “bright and talented” marine litigation specialist.

A nine-strong international team features from Reed Smith LLP. Andrew Taylor is a name that contemporaries have “masses of time for” as a “world-class practitioner” and “one of the very best in London”. Contributors praise his “measured approach and sharp intellect”. Lindsay East is “very strong on commodities” and Nick Shaw is “a top-notch lawyer and a pleasure to work with”. Chris Howse is one of the most highly regarded practitioners in our research for Hong Kong, where Lianjung Li is “a clever lawyer” and Andrew Brown is an “industry expert”. Stephenson Harwood has seven partners listed and exercises a global reach. In Singapore, managing partner Martin Green is “very, very good”. Timothy Elsworth is a “trusted adviser” with a particular ship financing expertise and Iain Young is “a gem”. Jason Toms is highly commended in Hong Kong. Two names feature in London where Paolo Ghirardani is “top flight” and Mark Russell possesses “considerable ship financing know-how”.

Five lawyers are included from Norton Rose LLP, including “first-class litigator” Chris Hobbs. In Singapore, Guy Spooner is recommended for his dispute resolution expertise. Hong Kong based Jim James is “extensively knowledgeable”.

At Thomas Cooper a quartet of names are included. Graham Harris is “a wonderful lawyer and a joy to work with”. Specialising in commercial shipping disputes, Harris is further recommended for his marine insurance know-how. In Canada, Mark Sachs is a “stand out name” for wet and dry shipping.

North America

Seven partners are included from Blank Rome LLP including one of our most highly nominated practitioners, the “phenomenal” John Kimball, who has “an unsurpassable” marine insurance practice. Litigation and arbitration expert Jeremy Harwood is a “leading light” and Richard Singleton is “an accomplished practitioner” who has acted in claims in excess of $25 million.

Seven names are also included from Freehill Hogan & Mahar LLP in New York. Peter Gutowski is a “very capable lawyer that continues to have a strong industry presence”. William Juska Jr is a name that contemporaries “really rate”, particularly for cargo damage claims and Patrick Bonner is a “prominent, notable figure”.

Holland & Knight LLP also has seven lawyers listed, included the “vastly experienced” Lennard Rambusch. Contributors “have a great deal of respect” for William Honan, have “lots of time” for James Hohenstein and “think incredibly well” of Michael Frevola, who has had “a great year”. In Massachusetts, Chester Hooper is “a pro”.

Keesal Young & Logan continues the trend equalling the above in partner listings. In California, William Collier is “marvellous” and John Giffin is “really great”. In Hong Kong, Jon Zinke is universally recommended.

Four names are listed from Garvey Schubert Barer where Seattle-based Barbara Holland is “terrific” and Bruce King is “excellent”.

In Canada, Barry Oland at Oland & Co is “a great guy” and “an absolute star”. Two names feature from Stikeman Elliott LLP where Vincent Prager is “brilliant” and Peter Cullen is “first-rate”. Peter Bernard QC at Bernard & Partners is “one of the best in Vancouver” and at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP, Jeremy Bolger is “awe-inspiring”. McGill University’s William Tetley QC “knows all there is to know about the shipping industry”.

Europe

Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP has four lawyers listed. Tim Taylor is “an outstanding lawyer” contributors “know very well” and “greatly recommend”. With over 30 years’ of experience, Taylor has amassed a terrific expertise in major international insurance dispute resolution and disaster litigation. The head of the marine, energy and trade team, Patrick Foss, is “a strong industry player”. Simon Chumas is “fabulous” for the investigation of marine casualties and in Hong Kong, Andrew Horton is “of star quality”.

Four names also feature from Hill Dickinson LLP. In London, Rhys Clift possesses a “remarkable depth of expertise” and is a trusted advisor to major international insurance companies. Robert Wallis is “top tier”, Andrew Johnson whose clients include P&I Clubs, FPSO operators, charterers, oil companies and insurers is “very highly respected” and in Greece, Patrick Hawkins receives international acclaim.

At Campbell Johnston Clark LLP, Julian Clark is “just brilliant”, particularly for P&I, FDD and trade disruption insurance. “Profoundly knowledgeable”, Clark has been involved in leading casualty matters such as the Sealand Express and several piracy incidents in the Gulf of Aden.

Seven Wikborg Rein lawyers are listed including the “fabulous” Trond Eilertsen. Morten Lund Mathisen is name that contributors “would recommend without hesitation” and Johan Rasmussen is “brilliant”.

A further five names are included from Advokatfirmaet Thommessen AS where Stephen Knudtzon and Jorgen Lund receive particular high praise.

At Nordisk Skibsrederforening, Georg Scheel’s P&I defence expertise is “tremendous”. In Denmark Gorrissen Federspiel’s Peter Appel is “simply superb” and features in our top 10 of the most highly regarded practitioners.

Worldwide

Four experts feature from HWL Ebsworth in Australia where “leader in the field” Joe Hurley provides “expert, practical advice to clients all over the world”. At Hicksons Lawyers, Derek Luxford is “a very accomplished industry name” and one of the most highly regarded practitioners in our research. Advising on all aspects of international shipping, transport and trade law, Luxford has acted in several leading cases in Australia. At Colin Biggers & Paisley, Stuart Hetherington is “a clear yes for inclusion”.

In China, Wang Jing & Co Law Firm’s Xiangyong Chen and Wang Jing are two very highly regarded practitioners.

In Panama, three lawyers are listed from Morgan y Morgan, where Enrique de Alba receives reams of international praise.

In Singapore, Allen & Gledhill LLP’s Vivian Ang is a “superstar”, consistently recommended for her litigation and arbitration prowess and Gina Lee-Wan is “magnificent”. Rodyk & Davidson LLP’s Lawrence Teh “belongs in the upper tier”.

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