Editorial: Shipping & Maritime

01 September 2007

This is the first time we have featured a chapter focusing on shipping and martime lawyers, and we identify 296 lawyers practising in 40 countries. Shipping law carries a broad definition, demanding expertise in many different areas, hence the predominance of specialised firms that are able to offer a range of services, often in multiple jurisdictions – a valuable asset in a market that is necessarily international in scope and where cross-border disputes are commonplace. In addition to lawyers offering traditional litigation and transactional proficiency, many mediators and arbitrators have come to the fore owing to the increasing popularity of alternative methods of dispute resolution in this booming practice area.

Ince & Co

In the following pages, Ince & Co finds an impressive 19 of its lawyers in six jurisdictions. The firm is known for its full-service shipping practice, and represents the full spectrum of clients, including shipowners, charterers, shipbuilders, traders, banks and insurers. One of our sources noted: “Ince & Co are among the market leaders and I always have a lot of time for them.” Jonathan Lux is one of six nominees from the London office, where he heads the logistics team. Recommended for his energy work in particular, Lux represents oil and gas clients and the major P&I clubs, among others. His alternative dispute resolution work also attracted praise. Colin de la Rue is an “expert on marine pollution”, his profile raised by working on most major incidents since the Exxon Valdez disaster in 1989. James Wilson jointly heads Ince & Co’s marine casualty team, and was described as “one of the top admiralty lawyers in the world” by our sources. The other joint head of the team is the “excellent” Faz Peermohamed. His 14 years at sea and, work for shipping giant Maersk, gives him “great insight” into this area, and his “expert handling of maritime casualty issues” impressed our sources. Recognised for his skills across the full range of casualty matters, including collisions, groundings and personal injuries, his mediation expertise is also widely recognised. Paul Herring also appears and is regarded as a “guru on charter-party disputes” and Ian Chetwood’s “big reputation” for wet and dry litigation work was well known, acting on behalf of shipowners, P&I clubs and other insurers.

Ince & Co is represented in three further European countries. Gilles Gautier is a founding partner of Ince & Co Paris and a “brilliant litigator”, while the firm also earned dual representation in Greece and Germany. In the former, Jonathan Elvey is managing partner of the Piraeus office and one of the leading individuals in the country, while Robin Parry heads the ship finance practice and was commended to researchers for his representation of financiers, lenders and owners. In Hamburg, Axel Salander is a “genuine player in the German market” and Jan Hungar was praised for his ship finance practice on behalf of domestic and international banks and borrowers.

Ince & Co also has an “imposing profile in Asia”, and seven nominees in the region. Richard Lovell from the Singapore office, is highly regarded as “one of the finest litigators in the region”. Six partners are included from the Hong Kong office, more than any other featured firm. Simon Latham is a consultant to the firm and a “very eminent local figure with vast experience”. Max Cross’s dispute resolution practice, both in litigation and arbitration, was repeatedly recommended to researchers. Andrew Chan is also known for his dispute work as well as his “top-class” ship sale and purchase and finance expertise. Rosita Lau is a “splendid lawyer”, recognised for her skills across the full range of shipping related work and is joined in the publication by David Beaves, whose shipping finance profile and “in-depth knowledge of the market” was noted. The team was bolstered thanks to the lateral hire of Bill Arnos from Johnson Stokes & Master. 

Bob Deering completes the firm’s excellent showing in our research and emerges as one of the leading practitioners in Dubai.

Holman Fenwick & Willan

Holman Fenwick & Willan stands comparison with any firm in this area: it is “undeniably a top-drawer shipping firm”, with “a good ethos and good people”. We feature 17 partners in seven countries – a wider geographical spread than any other firm. Seven of these are based in London. James Gosling is “a real standout with a great reputation” and “one of the top admiralty lawyers in the world”. Senior partner Richard Crump was highly regarded for his litigation work in particular. “He gets results,” according to one source. Crump was repeatedly recommended for his cargo claim and charter-party dispute work, as well as for insurance claims. Hugh Livingstone’s litigation practice also attracted much praise, particularly in time charter, voyage charter and bill of lading disputes. Robin Byron’s international trade expertise is a “valuable asset to the firm”. John Forrester joined in 2005 from Stephenson Harwood, and is “a very fine ship finance lawyer”, recognised for his knowledge of export credit finance for shipbuilding. Hugh Brown is known for his representation of Indian clients in particular, and his casualty and insurance work is “of the highest standard”, according to sources. Julian Clark also features prominently on the radar and spent a number of years working for the North of England P&I Association. His work on P&I, FDD and trade disruption insurance was recommended to researchers. Mark Morrison recently joined the team from Clifford Chance and comes recommended as a “very strong marine litigator”.  

Elsewhere in Europe, Jean-Jacques Ollu represents HFW in the France section. A “very competent individual”, he was commended to researchers for his international trade background, as well as his marine litigation work. Gareth Williams is similarly well regarded in the Piraeus of- fice, and gives the firm a valuable presence in the busy Greek market. Further afield, HFW opened an office in Melbourne in 2006, which is now home to three partners on our list. David Roylance is a “big hitter in the market with an impressive international perspective”. He comes recommended for his work across the full spectrum of shipping and transport sectors, as well as for his oil and gas practice. Robert Springall is “outstanding” for P&I work, and Gavin Vallely is a “very accomplished litigator” whose finance and environmental pollution work also comes highly recommended.

Holman Fenwick & Willan also opened an office in the United Arab Emirates in 2006, and two partners from Dubai feature in the following pages. Chris Quennell moved there in May 2007, and is recognised for his expertise in cargo claims, charter-party dispute work and issues relating to groundings and collisions. Edward Newitt is highly regarded for his maritime and general insurance work. HFW also has a presence in the vibrant Asian market – we include partners from two offices. The Hong Kong office has been open since 1978, where Paul Hatzer has been resident since 1991. The quality of his litigation practice is well known to our local sources, who also commended his shipping finance, insurance and insolvency work. HFW has had an office in Shanghai since 1999, and consultant to the firm Peter Rees Smith has been resident there since February 2006. An “outstanding litigator”, he completes the firm’s listing in this area.

Reed Smith Richards Butler

The 2006 merger between US firm Reed Smith and London-based Richards Butler resulted in the creation of Reed Smith Richards Butler, and the combined firm has nine partners in this book. Former Richards Butler chairman Andrew Taylor was described as “one of the very best in the city” by our sources. Recognised for his capability across the full range of shipping matters, his casualty work is particularly well known; he was involved in the Nakhodka and Erika total loss and oil pollution cases, as well as matters arising from the explosion and fire on the Maersk Tokyo. Lindsay East was head of the shipping group for six years and is a “real pleasure to deal with”. Described as a “dry law expert”, his disputes work on behalf of charterers, P&I clubs and Shell attracted admiring comment, for the latter in relation to a management and operation agreement with QGTC involving 27 vessels and $1 billion. A former officer in the UK’s merchant navy, Richard Harvey was praised as a “salvage guru”, and his knowledge of collision matters in cases such as Kaminesan/Hyundai 105 and Kariba/Tricolor/ Clary impressed interviewees. Charles Weller is “one of the best in town” and a veteran of the firm’s Abu Dhabi and Piraeus offices, and he comes recommended for his “profound knowledge of the Greek, Asian and US markets”. The global leader of the firm’s shipping group, Nick Shaw, was recognised for his “first-class disputes work” on behalf of owners, charterers and P&I clubs. Alex Andrews’ litigation skills also attracted admiring comment, and he acted on the Hill Harmony and Giannis NK cases in front of the UK’s superior court, the House of Lords.

Richards Butler's Hong Kong office joined Reed Smith in January 2008. Senior partner Chris Howse was praised for his experience in China – he conducts CMAC and CIETAC arbitrations in Beijing – and his disputes practice is “incredibly impressive”, particularly relating to insurance, bills of lading and charter-party disputes. Andrew Brown is “quite brilliant for ship finance”, and Andrew Horton’s insurance related work also received high praise.

Clyde & Co LLP

Clyde & Co LLP is another leading firm, with over 70 years’ experience in this field and a CV that includes acting for clients such as BP, Lloyd’s of London, UK P&I Club; advising cargo insurers affected by the grounding of the MSC Napoli; and making arrangements for the release of the Laemthong Glory following its seizure by pirates. The firm has 150 specialist marine lawyers, eight of whom appear in this publication. Four of these are based in England. Derek Hodgson is head of the marine department and a “big name in the market”. Known for his casualty work, he has represented shipowners, charterers, insurers and traders in Japan, Thailand and Greece, among others. The head of the shipbuilding ship repair team, Nick Graydon, is said to be a “first-class shipowners lawyer”. His dispute resolution expertise was recognised by his peers, as was the quality of his work for South Korean clients; he has acted for most of the major Korean shipowners and operator companies, as well as leading builders such as Samsung Heavy Industry and Hyundai Mipo Dockyard. Nick Greensmith’s wet work was also repeatedly recommended to researchers. Paul Turner recently joined Clifford Chance and comes rated as “very competant” and “top class” for ship finance. Gildas Rostain offers the firm a high-profile presence in France, where he concentrates his practice on insurance litigation. Alec Emmerson is one of two partners included from the Dubai office, he was described as “an excellent lawyer and brilliant to deal with”. Based in the United Arab Emirates since 1999, his disputes work is highly rated by clients and peers. Alongside him, Christopher Mills is “well known in the local market” and is also highly regarded for his disputes work arising from collisions, insurance, charter party and international trade issues. Simon Baker gives the firm a presence in the Hong Kong research. His recent marine work includes defending shipbrokers against breach of duty claims and bill of lading carriers regarding cargo claims, as well as giving advice to insurers in this area.

Holland & Knight LLP

Holland & Knight LLP also earns six nominations, all in the United States. The firm increased its presence in this area through its merger with Haight Gardner Poor & Havens in New York where five of its nominees are based. A former navigator in the US navy, Chester Hooper is now a “renowned litigator”, recognised for his work on collisions and in the defending of cargo damage claims in particular. James Shirley is similarly well regarded, and like his colleague he also has experience in the shipping industry and the navy. He is a “casualty and salvage expert”, and his pollution and personal injury experience was also highlighted. William Honan is “very knowledgeable” about marine contracts in particular, and is chairman of board for New York Maritime, and vice-chairman of the documentary committee of Intertanko, which represents most of the privately owned tanker owners in the world. The head of the firm’s rapid response team, Brian Starer, is “immensely experienced”, having served as casualty counsel on more than a hundred ship disasters worldwide. Nancy Hengen is the fifth partner from New York and is a “first-class shipping finance lawyer”. Hengen’s experience of the energy industry was commented upon. She counts major oil companies among her clients, as well as shipping companies, US and foreign banks and financial institutions. In California “standout operator” Matthew Vafidis leads the firm’s US west coast litigation group. He is recognised for his international trade and marine insurance expertise in particular.

Norton Rose LLP

Shipping has been a core area of practice throughout Norton Rose’s 200-year history, and the firm maintains high levels of expertise to this day. A trio from the London office are included. Harry Theochari is head of the group and “very well known for his shipping finance work”. He also led the team that established the $430 million joint venture shipping company Gulf Energy Maritime. John Shelton, head of the shipping finance team, is “very well respected in his field,” according to our sources. He is recognised for his representation of shipping companies, banks and financial institutions. Chris Hobbs was picked out for his litigation work, especially in tanker and oil trading disputes. The firm also has nominees in two other important jurisdictions: Greece and China. Dimitri Sofianopoulos has acted for a range of Greek shipping companies and is “very highly thought of in the local market”, while Jim James is known for his “in-depth cross-border experience throughout Asia”.

Stephenson Harwood

Similarly, Stephenson Harwood also has a presence in England and Asia. In London, Joe Atkinson was consistently recommended for his casualty and insurance work on behalf of both owners and underwriters. Paolo Ghirardani is a “maritime fraud expert”, according to one source and an “excellent litigator” according to another. Ghirardani has a broad contentious practice and examples of his work include dealing with the kidnapping of crews in the oilrich regions of Africa. His work relating to fires, explosions, cargo claims and political lobbying were also noted. Mark Russell was recommended as an “outstanding ship finance lawyer” and leads the firm’s banking and asset finance practice. Russell led the $1.3 billion restructuring of the Worldwide Group which involved seventeen banks and eight jurisdictions.

Stephenson Harwood also has two listed lawyers in Singapore, where “first-class shipping finance lawyer” Martin Green is managing partner. He impressed our sources with his cross-border knowledge, and has experience of markets such as China, India and Indonesia. His colleague Iain Young also received many votes on account of his “impressive” finance practice. We also recognise a lawyer from the firm’s joint venture with Hong Kong firm Lo & Lo – Stephenson Harwood & Lo. Jason Toms was described as “highly proficient for both wet and dry work”.

Blank Rome LLP

Three of the lawyers making up a Blank Rome LLP quintet for our publication are based in New York, led in the voting by the “pre-eminent” John Kimball. A “fantastically skilled litigator”, his charterparty dispute work was particularly highly esteemed, as was his “first-class writing on the subject”. Jeremy Harwood is “impressive and effective; he definitely gets results”. He successfully represented Steamship Mutual Underwriting Association in the Eleventh Circuit, and is recognised for his bankruptcy and litigation work both at home and abroad. Richard Singleton is a “careful, thorough and valuable ally” to his clients, and defended a vessel owner and its insurers in a $20 million suit by an electric utility regarding damage to undersea electric transmission cables, as well as a tugboat owner in a $115 million pollution claim and a vessel owner in litigation against a shipyard. In Hong Kong, Nigel Binnersley is a “recognised name in the market”, and Blank Rome has gained a reputation as a “very good firm” among local clients. Binnersley has acted for underwriters and P&I clubs, among others, as well as advising on the purchase contract of 12 new shipbuildings in China. His colleague peter mills also attracted commendation for his work, such as the investigation into the grounding of a VLCC tanker in China, as well as multiple collisions and salvage cases.

Keesal Young & Logan

Four of the five partners from Keesal Young & Logan that we feature are based in the US. William Collier in the Long Beach office heads the firm’s marine, energy and environmental groups. He was recommended for his litigation work on behalf of owners, underwriters and oil and refining companies, and has trial experience at both state and federal level. Also in California, John Giffin is the senior maritime lawyer in the firm’s San Francisco office and is recognised locally as “top tier” for work on behalf of vessel owners in matters ranging from casualty and cargo related to regulatory matters with the US Coast Guard, US Customs and Border Protection Service and the Environmental Protection Agency, among others. Robert Bocko is managing shareholder of the Seattle office and an “undeniably fine litigator”, while Herbert Ray is regarded as “one of the top experts in Alaska”. The firm’s most highly rated partner is based in their Hong Kong of- fice. Jon Zinke is “absolutely first-rate”, a “very effective” dispute resolution specialist, whose knowledge of commercial arbitration disputes both in New York and across Asia was frequently cited to researchers.

National Powerhouses

The United States

A number of the United States’ most prominent firms have already been mentioned. There remain, however, a number of outfits that fare particularly well on the domestic scene. Seven individuals received sufficient nominations to appear in the Washington, DC section, two of which practise at Sher & Blackwell. The firm is well known among sources for its corporate and transactional capabilities and also comes recommended for its representation of clients before regulatory agencies. Founding partner Stanley Sher is “vastly experienced”, according to a source; he was praised as an “excellent regulatory lawyer” by another. Sher’s transactional and antitrust related expertise was also commended and he worked extensively on industry wide negotiations that led to the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 1998. Partner Anne Mickey is “very highly regarded” and was recommended by some of the practice area’s leading lights. Mickey served in the general counsel’s office litigation section at the Federal Maritime Commission from 1977 to 1980. Her expertise on government-guaranteed financing was noted and in the past four years she’s handled deals exceeding $1 billion. Winston & Strawn LLP also has two highly rated individuals in this book. Charlie Papavizas “covers all areas and in my view is the finest maritime lawyer in the country today,” according to one prominent respondent to our survey. Clients have included both domestic and foreign owners, operators, shipyards, ship managers and equipment suppliers and highlights include acting on the financing of three new bulk carriers for Liberty Shipping Group LLC. The “prominent” Papavizas also worked on the charter and joint venture arrangements with Höegh Autoliners AS for Liberty Global Logistics LLC. Thomas Mills currently serves as managing partner of the firm’s DC office and his legislative and regulatory expertise was brought to the attention of researchers. Mills heads the firm’s health care and maritime practice group and has represented operators and builders before various federal agencies. Clients include American Ship Management, Liberty Maritime Corporation, OMI Corporation and US Ship Management to name but a few. Troutman Sanders LLP appears in the chapter thanks to the strong showing of Jonathan Benner, a former general counsel to the Federal Maritime Commission. The “knowledgeable” Benner leads the firm’s transportation group and was recommended for his regulatory and legislative work on behalf of liner, container, liquid bulk and cruise operators, and transport intermediaries.

New York is another US state with high levels of expertise, particularly on the finance and contentious sides of the industry. Outfits such as Blank Rome and Holland & Knight have already been profiled, but a number of other firms and individuals fared well in our findings. Nourse & Bowles LLP is a case in point with three highly rated individuals in the New York section. The firm was founded in 1982 and focuses heavily on shipping and maritime law. Founding partner David Nourse has over 35 years’ experience in the field and his dispute resolution credentials were brought to the attention of researchers. John Vayda was also consistently recommended with sources noting his “attention to detail”. Vayda is another founding partner and is known for his work relating to oil spills. Sources praised him as “very bright”, “sound and direct” and someone who “knows the law inside out”. Armand Paré completes the firm’s contingent. He has a broad practice, which encompasses disputes, insurance coverage, Oil Pollution Act cases as well as maritime contract terms and international sales matters. Hill Rivkins & Hayden LLP was rated by survey respondents as a “very important firm” in shipping and maritime law. Two partners from the firm feature in the publication – the “excellent” Anthony Pruzinsky and “eminent” Raymond Hayden. Freehill Hogan & Mahar LLP is another highly regarded maritime firm and in the figure of “outstanding” Peter Gutowski it boasts one of New York’s most nominated individuals. Gutowski’s work on charter party, collision and employment related disputes, commercial litigation, and the defence of cargo contamination and damage claims was noted. Gutowski is joined on the following pages by William Juska, who is equally well versed in those areas and is also said to be strong on maritime arbitration. Lawrence Rutkowski heads the transportation finance group at Seward & Kissel LLP and comes recommended as “practically unrivalled on the finance side”. Gary Wolfe is another leading ship finance lawyer and he boasts a particular expertise in capital market and corporate securities transactions. Wolfe has previously chaired the admiralty and maritime committee of the New York County lawyers association. Thacher Proffitt & Wood LLP is another firm with multiple nominees in our New York list. Joseph Grasso’s litigation credentials were brought to our attention, particularly in the insurance arena. John Woods is similarly well regarded and focuses on maritime law, and insurance and reinsurance litigation and arbitration. Woods represents both domestic and foreign insurers on issues such as liability, cargo, pollution, war risk, loss of earnings and maritime hull.

Canada

North of the border the Canadian market is also strong: 26 individuals from six provinces make the grade. British Columbia contributes eight lawyers for the following pages, two of whom practise at “well regarded” Bull Housser & Tupper LLP. Michael Bird’s practice focuses on maritime, transportation and insurance law. Nils Daugulis was recommended to researchers as a “quite outstanding litigator” and he focuses on marine and environmental matters. Daugulis has over 25 years’ experience in the field, working for clients on issues involving collisions, industrial and oil pollution, salvage and damage to cargo. Two partners at Alexander Holburn Beaudin & Lang LLP also featured prominently in our research of the British Columbia market. David McEwen QC emerges as one of the province’s most nominated individuals and has a leading practice in the areas of insurance coverage, insurance subrogation, recoveries for cargo loss, yacht construction disputes and marine casualties. Douglas Schmitt has a broad maritime, admiralty and insurance practice and was recommended to researchers as a “top-notch trial lawyer”. Schmitt chairs the Canadian Maritime Association’s arrest of ships committee and was consistently recommended during the course of our research. Quebec also provides eight individuals for the publication, seven of whom practise in Montreal. Respondents to our survey have “heard good things” about Vincent Prager at Stikeman Elliott LLP – he received a raft of nominations from both clients and peers. Prager’s practice focuses on maritime law and he is also said to be particularly strong on the insurance front. He currently serves as vice-chairman of the maritime law committee of the International Bar Association. Partner Peter Cullen was also recommended on a number of occasions, particularly for his contentious and corporate practice in the insurance arena. Brisset Bishop is a Montreal firm focusing on admiralty and transportation law. It contributes two leading lights for the following pages. Trevor Bishop is “experienced” and “a leader”, according to sources and comes recommended for his expertise on matters such as collisions, salvage, seizure of ships, cargo claims and liabilities of ship agents to name but a few. Victor Demarco also comes highly recommended. He has a focus on P&I cargo claims, oil pollution cases and collisions and casualties. Langlois Kronström Desjardins is the final firm with multiple nominees in our Quebec list. “Excellent” John O’Connor is “strong for oil pollution”, according to sources and he is also “very active” on claims, insurance, environmental liability, accidents and marine salvage. Richard Gaudreau completes the firm’s strong showing in the publication and his contract and litigation work was noted during the course of our research. James Gould QC is one of two lawyers featured from the Halifax, Nova Scotia offices of McInnes Cooper. Gould was recommended to researchers as “very thorough” and a “real quality lawyer”. He is reported to be “excellent in the courtroom”. Wylie Spicer QC is the other half of this excellent duo. His dispute resolution skills were also recommended during the course of our research. Based purely on recommendations, however, William Moreira QC at Stewart McKelvey is the province’s leading practitioner. Moreira is the current president of the Canadian Maritime Law Association and is evidently extremely well regarded within the industry. His firm also boasts a presence in the Newfoundland list courtesy of Cecily Strickland. Strickland was variously described as “one of the leading practitioners” and a “main player” and emerges as the province’s most highly rated individual. Boutique marine, aviation and transportation firm Fernandes & Hearn LLP is the only outfit with two lawyers in our Toronto listing. Rui Fernandes received more recommendations than any other practitioner in the city and is said to be “experienced” and “well qualified”, particularly on the cargo side. Gordon Hearn was also consistently endorsed, for litigation and insurance related advice especially. Elsewhere Jeremy Bolger is resident in the Montreal office of Borden Ladner Gervais LLP and serves as the regional and national leader of the marine group. The “quite outstanding” Bolger received more nominations than any other Canadian practitioner. Barry Oland of Oland & Co in Vancouver is another of the practice area’s high flyers. Oland was continually recommended for the strength of his cargo practice. The “well-versed and quick-witted” Peter Bernard QC founded Vancouver firm Bernard & Partners in 2002 and maintains an excellent reputation in the field. Bernard boasts a broad practice that incorporates collision, salvage, oil pollution, insurance, cargo and passenger carriage as well as transactional matters.

England

We include 53 in the England section. A number of these practise out of firms with recognised international capabilities that have already been profiled. Elsewhere, Hill Dickinson LLP is a major player in the shipping industry and boasts two highly rated practitioners in the English section. Robert Wallis is a “fantastic lawyer” for ‘wet work’ according to one prominent rival and clients include P&I clubs, owners, operators, shipyards, brokers, salvors and insurance companies. The impressive trio is completed by Andrew Johnson, “one of the best around”, according to one person we spoke to. Johnson has a great deal of industry experience and was praised for his dispute resolution skills. Bentleys Stokes & Lowless also boasts three nominees in the following pages – Simon Tatham, Paul Griffiths and Vernon Sewell. The firm is a specialist marine outfit dealing with matters such as insurance, commodities and transportation and count a number of P&I clubs among their clients. Griffiths has over 20 years’ experience in the field and was praised as “both sensible and practical” while another source noted: “I enjoy working with him.” Sewell emerges as one of London’s leading individuals and his representation of insurers was pointed out to us. Tatham is another leading light and has a strong litigation and arbitration flavour to his practice.

The law firm Thomas Cooper is another with a sterling reputation within the industry. Graham Harris received a raft of nominations during the research and is among the most nominated in the London rankings. Harris – “knowledgeable, practical and effective” – is said to be “particularly good” on commercial shipping disputes. Darryl Kennard has a “big reputation” in the field, particularly for ‘wet work’ such as collisions and salvage, total losses, fires and groundings. The firm also appears in our France list thanks to Lars Lewis, managing partner of the Paris office. Lewis works on both French and English shipping and admiralty matters and also maintains active insurance and commodities practices.

Eversheds LLP’s full-service shipping practice gravitates towards Newcastle from where they represent ship owners, charterers and operators, as well as their insurers. Chris Hilton heads the firm’s shipping and international trade team and was variously described as “very good” and “highly regarded”. Hilton works on both contentious and non-contentious matters and is joined in the publication by Stephen Mackin who is equally well regarded. Mackin’s ‘dry’ disputes work was brought to our attention, as was his oil and gas expertise. David Warder is one of the founding partners of Watson Farley & Williams, a firm consistently recommended for the strength of its finance practice. One source recommended the firm as “our main competitor on the finance side” and Warder received a number of nominations for the strength of his UK and cross-border tax-based leasing. Clients include financial institutions, shipowners and builders, liner shipping companies and offshore contractors to name but a few. Michael Vernell heads the firm’s international finance group and advises a number of the major shipping banks. Highlights include advising Nordea on the $1.6 billion financing of the Euronav tanker fleet. The firm also features in the New York section thanks to the inclusion of Leo Chang, who also boasts a strong finance practice. Chang recently acted for the lender on a $330 million reducing secured revolving credit facility in favour of Eagle Bulk Shipping. Waltons & Morse is the final firm boasting multiple inclusions in our England list. Roy Ginsberg leads the duo in terms of nominations and is rated as a “top-notch transport and cargo lawyer”. David Perry serves as the firm’s senior partner and is active in international trade documentation and disputes, charter-party disputes, P&I club work and reinsurance litigation and is particularly active in Japan and Germany.

A number of individuals at other firms are also notable. Curtis Davis Garrard focuses on the shipping and energy sectors and is represented by Simon Curtis on the following pages. Curtis is one of London’s leading individuals according to our findings and is said to be “excellent on ship sale and purchase”. He was praised for having written “the authoritative work on shipping law” - The Law of Shipbuilding and Contracts. Davies Johnson & Co was recommended to researchers as “a good Plymouth-based firm”. It has an excellent reputation for shipping and international trade work. Johnny Johnson’s P&I defence work was consistently recommended. Nick Parton is a founding partner of Jackson Parton in London and was praised as an “inventive lawyer who gets quality results”. Parton has worked extensively for owners and charterers on hull and cargo work and also has experience on professional negligence, E&O, P&I, FD&D and marine insurance disputes. Michael Lax is another highly rated London-based practitioner. Lax formerly headed the shipping and international trade department at Lawrence Graham LLP and set up his own firm, Lax & Co, in May 2007. Tony Brown is one of the founding partners of Mays Brown Solicitors and emerges from our research with nothing but praise. Outside London, Silas Taylor is rated as “the leader in Hull”. Taylor practises at Andrew M Jackson and was praised as a “good sensible lawyer with an excellent reputation for mediation”. Sources spoke highly of Guy Mills at Mills & Co in Newcastle, with one praising his “academic approach” and “good reputation” for ‘dry work’ and litigation. Paul Dickie at Prettys in Ipswich was also recommended on several occasions. He works extensively on matters regarding insurance, litigation and finance for shipowners and banks. He maintains strong links with both the Indian and Norwegian markets.

France and Germany

Villeneau Rohart Simon & Associés is the only firm with more than one featured lawyer in the France section of the publication. Rated by one source as “an excellent firm”, it was another source’s “main contact in France”. Jean-Serge Rohart emerges as one of the country’s most-nominated individuals and possesses “an excellent mind”, according to one survey respondent. Patrick Simon is said to be “vastly experienced” and together with Rohart he forms part of an internationally respected team. Emmanuel Fontaine is a partner in the finance and project finance department at Gide Loyrette Nouel who comes recommended as “first-rate for ship finance”. Highlights include advising Chantiers de l’Atlantique on the construction of a passenger ship for SeaFrance. He also advised Morocco’s government in the Kharg V and Sea Spirit marine pollution cases.

The German market is also awash with talent and a total of 16 individuals make the following pages. Our research highlights Lebuhn & Puchta as one of the country’s most prominent firms. Focusing on shipping, corporate and M&A it provides three names for our publication. Christian Breitzke received recommendations from diverse sources to emerge as the most nominated practitioner in the German research. Breitzke is a past chairman of the IBA’s maritime and transport committee and comes recommended for both litigation and arbitration in the field. Clients include P&I clubs, charterers, owners, shipyards and insurance companies. The “outstanding” Ulrich Stahl is rated by some as “the market leader in Germany”; the inclusion of Dieter Armbrust completes the firm’s excellent showing in our research. Dabelstein & Passehl has been in the market for over 70 years and is another leading player for shipping, transport and insurance law. Dieter Schwampe is the firm’s managing partner and is “excellent for owners and insurers”. Rüdiger Warnke has over 30 years’ experience in the field and his advice to shipowners is said to be “priceless”. Jan Dreyer brings a great deal of experience to the table and before joining the firm he worked in-house for the shipyard Blohm & Voss. “An important player in the market” Dreyer’s practice encompasses shipbuilding, plant construction and insurance law. Christophe Hasche heads the commercial and shipping and transport groups at Taylor Wessing and was praised to researchers as “one of the best in the business”, particularly for cargo claims and ‘wet work’. The “excellent” Klaus Kostka was also consistently endorsed. He works on both the wet and dry sides of the industry on behalf of domestic and international shipowning companies and marine underwriters. Michael Baumhauer completes the Taylor Wessing trio. He works extensively on shipbuilding contracts for cruise liners, mega yachts and navy ships.

Italy and Spain

Studio Legale Mordiglia was established in Genoa in 1950 and has focused on maritime law since its inception. Senior partner Massimo Mordiglia received more recommendations than any other Italian practitioner and is “well known” and “extremely busy”, according to sources. Mordiglia boasts a “developed and respected practice” and his work as an arbitrator in maritime and commercial disputes was noted. Our Spanish research uncovered a deep pool of talent – a total of eight individuals were sufficiently recommended for inclusion. José María Alcántara comes with a reputation for being “the doyen of Spanish shipping law” and the number of nominations he received backs this up. His firm, AMYA Abogados, specialises in maritime, shipping, international, transport, insurance and commercial law. He currently serves as president of the Spanish Maritime Law Association. Alcántara’s arbitration credentials were also brought to the attention of researchers. Albors Galiano & Co, however, is the only Spanish firm with more than one individual included. Eduardo Albors speaks widely on the topic and has a strong insurance flavour to his practice. Javier Portales has a similar focus and was praised as “outstanding” by one prominent source.

Scandinavia

Four individuals feature in the Danish section of the publication, two of these practise at Kromann Reumert. Henrik Thal Jantzen is the “go-to-guy” according to sources and heads the firm’s maritime and transportation group. Lars Rosenberg Overby seen as a “hot shot” and he works extensively for insurance companies on issues relating to cargo damage and wreckage. Our research also indicates that Alex Laudrup of Gorrissen Federspiel Kierkegaard is another top Danish practitioner. Sources noted Laudrup’s litigation and arbitration credentials and he’s also highly rated for insurance, reinsurance and international purchase. Jes Anker Mikkelsen at Bech-Bruun completes our breakdown of the Danish market. He is recommended for his advice to clients on litigation and insurance matters. Norway also contributes several practitioners for our publication, eight in total. Trond Eilertsen at Wikborg Rein is the country’s most nominated individual, recommended as “the best wet side lawyer in Norway”. Wiersholm Mellbye & Bech advokatfirma AS also boasts two highly rated individuals on the following pages. Erik Blaker was praised as “very good for insurance” and “superstar” Nicolas Brun-Lie completes this strong duo at the firm. Thommessen Krefting Greve Lund AS is another prominent firm in the Norwegian section and has two “superstars” on the following pages – Stephen Knudtzon and Jorgen Lund.

Asia-Pacific

Singapore is the busiest port in the world in terms of shipping tonnage, and annually receives an average of 140,000 vessel calls. In 2004, total vessel arrivals for the year, in terms of shipping tonnage, reached 1.04 billion gross tons, and it is also a worldleading hub for container trans-shipment, according to the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. As such, it is unsurprising that Singapore is also a major centre for shipping law expertise and our research identifies 12 highly regarded individuals in the city state. Allen & Gledhill LLP is one of three firms with two partners in the Singapore section. “First-class” Vivian Ang co-heads the maritime and aviation practice group. Her high-profile litigation practice in this area is due in part to her recent work on behalf of Glencore International regarding the recovery of claims for lost cargo in excess of US$21.9 million in the Cherry and Others case, as well as on major collision cases such as those between the Hyundai No. 105 and Kaminesan and the APL Dubai and the APL Almandine. One of the most highly regarded individuals in the research overall, Ang is “one of the top local practitioners” in the eyes of our sources. Gina Lee-Wan also co-heads the maritime & aviation practice group and “stands out at the top of the field” for her shipping finance practice. Known for her work on ship construction, sale and purchase, she counts all of Singapore’s major banks and ship owners among her clients and is a “pre-eminent authority in the region”.

From Haridass Ho & Partners, the “very experienced” Haridass Ajaib is among the leading individuals in the region. Recognised for his transactional, disputes and insurance work, he is said to be “immensely knowledgeable” and also sits as arbitrator and mediator. Thomas Tan is particularly well known for his litigation work, especially in the areas of charter-party disputes, collisions and salvage, as well as in marine insurance matters.

Rajah & Tann also maintains an excellent reputation in the field and is recognised for both ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ work. Managing partner Steven Chong SC was particularly well supported in the research, and his dispute resolution skills in particular stood out. “One of the top lawyers in the region”, his maritime dispute work includes acting for the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore in connection with the collision between Evoikos and Orapin Global and the operations to clean up the resulting oil pollution. He also worked for the Ministry of Defence in relation to Singapore’s largest naval accident to date, the collision of the RSS Courageous and ANL Indonesia. In addition, he acted in the two worst incidents in Singapore’s history of passenger liner casualties, involving the sinking of the Royal Pacific and the Sun Vista.

Jude Benny of Joseph Tan Jude Benny is “one of the leaders in Singapore”, and is “certainly the person I’d go to”, according to one high-placed corporate source. Renowned for his work on the first international arbitration at SIAC for United Engineers Berhad against a Norwegian company, he has also represented the Jacques Cousteau Foundation regarding the sinking of the Calypso, as well as Bethlehem Shipyard concerning the delivery of the world’s first floating hotel to the Great Barrier Reef. His involvement in the ship collision trials involving the Ming Galaxy/Herceg Novi and Tai He/Nordic Explorer led to high levels of recognition, and he is regarded as a “legend in this field”.

Hong Kong is another important jurisdiction in the region. Eighteen lawyers based in the administrative region appear in the following pages. A number of these practise at international firms such as Blank Rome, Ince & Co, Richards Butler and Stephenson Harwood and have consequently already been profiled. Mayer Brown JSM fares well in the local research where Alistair Macaulay is rated as a “big star” by sources, particularly for ship finance. He acts for banks and financial institutions as well as owners on the sale and purchase of vessels and shipping projects. Dean Young is a senior consultant at the firm who comes recommended on the finance side. His advice to shipping companies on issues such as sale and purchase, construction and the leasing and registration of ships was noted. Damien Laracy heads the shipping group at Laracy Gall. Laracy emerges as one of Hong Kong’s most admired practitioners. His firm’s shipping group works on arbitrations relating to charter-party disputes and also handles cargo loss/damage in the region, vessel sale and purchase disputes, and disputes relating to shipbuilding, repair and conversion. Laracy also has a great deal of experience in the enforcement of ship mortgages.

Okabe & Yamaguchi is one of Japan’s most respected maritime firms and its lawyers advise on a wide array of matters related to the industry including charter-party disputes, bills of lading, vessel collisions, oil spills, cargo claims and enforcement procedures. Partners Shuji Yamaguchi and Hiroki Okabe both received sufficient recommendations for inclusion. One source praised Hiratsuka & Co as the “best shipping firm in Japan” and Makoto Hiratsuka comes endorsed by some of the industry’s leading lights. However, based purely on the recommendations received, Sotaro Mori of Yoshida and Partners is the country’s leading practitioner. Rated by one respondent as “the leading shipping lawyer in Tokyo” the firm has been prominent in the area since its foundation in 1924. Clients include P&I clubs, owners, operators, insurance underwriters and financial institutions to name but a few. Oki Hirata at SAH & Co completes the breakdown of Japan’s leading lights. Hirata is reportedly “very well known and highly regarded”.

Kim & Chang heads the Korean research and was praised as “the best known shipping firm in Korea”. The “excellent” Byung Suk Chung was the country’s most nominated individual. He is joined in the publication by Tam Hee Kim, who was also well received by respondents to our survey. Highlights for the shipping and transportation group include representing the owners/P&I club of the MT Sea Prince in the largest grounding and oil pollution case to have occurred in Korean waters. The firm also represented the owners, P&I club and hull insurers of the container vessel MV Alexandria in a collision case that led to the sinking of the ship and consequent loss of containers.

DLA Phillips Fox boasts prominent names in the Australia and New Zealand sections of the publication. Ron Salter “stands out”, with one source rating him as “number one in Australia”. His expertise on maritime arbitration and mediation was noted and he’s also strong on insurance matters. John Farquharson’s insurance practice is also noteworthy and he and Salter are joined in the publication by Andrew Tulloch, who specialises in insurance claims and risk management. Neil Beadle gives the firm a presence in New Zealand and completes a strong contingent in the region. Ebsworth & Ebsworth is another prominent firm for shipping law in Australia. Joe Hurley currently chairs the IBA’s maritime and transport law section and is as one of the country’s leading lights. Hurley’s practice encompasses both contentious and non-contentious aspects of the industry and he’s advised large Asian shipping companies and international liner trade carriers among others. Timothy Elsworth is another prominent name in the Australian maritime industry. A “top-tier litigator” Elsworth has worked extensively on disputes arising from maritime casualties and disasters. He also boasts a well-respected insurance practice.

Africa

A number of firms and individuals on the African continent fared particularly well in our research. A total of six internationally rated Nigerian practitioners received high levels of nominations. Chidi Ilogu of Foundation Chambers in Lagos is “the best in Nigeria”, according to sources and he received more recommendations than any other lawyer we feature there. Ilogu is well versed in the workings of the market and assignments include acting as solicitor to the sole liquidator and administrator on the overseas liquidation of the Nigerian National Shipping Line. Femi Atoyebi at Femi Atoyebi & Co is another highly rated practitioner and “a star in the Nigerian market”. Adepetun Caxton-Martins Agbor & Segun is, however, the only firm with two practitioners featured in the section – Funke Agbor and Afolabi Caxtonmartins. Agbor’s litigation credentials were noted and she represents various clients on issues relating to cargo loss, damage claims, collisions and other marine casualties. Caxton-Martins is rated by one prominent international source as “exceptional” and forms part of what one respondent described as a “very good maritime practice at the firm”.

A number of South Africa-based individuals also performed well in our research. Shepstone & Wiley tops the research with two featured individuals. Partner Shane Dwyer is the country’s most nominated individual and heads the firm’s international transport, trade and energy department. Dwyer’s ‘wet work’ was noted and he also focuses on general admiralty claims and arrests, shipbuilding, finance and shipbroking. Krish Reddy also comes highly recommended for his broad practice. Reddy has represented Indonesian and Indian shipping lines as well as a number of P&I clubs. He also regularly represents the national Chinese fleet COSCO. The “experienced” Graham Charnock at Bowman Gilfillan Findlay & Tait is another of the country’s high-flyers and he has been involved in many high profile cases such as the Snow Delta, Kalamos, Navigator and the Forum Victory to name but a few. He has also worked extensively on a number of collision and casualty cases.

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