Posted on: 2 November 2020
Global, soctor-focused law firm HFW has boosted its market-leading shipping practice with the hire of senior partner Paolo Ghirardani.
Paolo joins HFW’s London office on 2 November from Stephenson Harwood, where he had been a partner for almost 30 years, including 15 years as the head of its global Marine and International Trade practice. Paolo spent the first seven years of his career at HFW, having joined as a trainee in 1983.
Andrew Chamberlain, Head of Admiralty and Crisis Management, HFW: “I am very pleased to welcome Paolo back to HFW. It’s not every day that you get a chance to bring in one of the most senior shipping lawyers in the market, and his arrival will further strengthen our offering across shipping and admiralty, as well as broader commercial dispute resolution. Paolo’s standing is reflected by the fact that he is the lead advisor for some of the biggest names in the industry, and we’re all very excited to have him on board.”
Paolo specialises in wet and dry shipping disputes, and has significant experience acting on major fires, explosions and groundings. He advises clients across the industry, including P&I Clubs, charterers and shipowners, and is ranked in The Legal 500’s ‘Hall of Fame’ as one of the market’s leading shipping lawyers. Paolo also handles complex, multi-jurisdictional trade and commodity litigation, focusing on fraud investigations and asset tracing.
Paolo Ghirardani, Partner, HFW: “I am excited to be returning to what is unquestionably the market’s top shipping law firm. HFW’s first-rate admiralty offering and its significant international network will be a real benefit to my clients, and I’m looking forward to working with the firm’s expert shipping lawyers around the world.”
HFW has the market’s largest shipping and maritime law practice, and has been serving clients in the industry for more than 135 years.
The firm has over 200 shipping lawyers and Master Mariners across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific, specialising in dry shipping, admiralty and crisis management, and transactional work.
It represents the full spectrum of those involved in the industry, including shipowners and charterers, P&I Clubs, banks, international agencies, shipyards, marine insurance underwriters, governments and brokers across the entire shipping life cycle, from design to recycling.
HFW has recently won several major shipping industry awards, including Lloyds List’s Global Excellence in Maritime Law award, which recognises the world’s best shipping law firm.
