Posted on: 24 February 2025
Global, sector-focused law firm has strengthened its market-leading shipping practice with the hire of Master Mariner Mike Bunton.
Mike has almost 20 years’ shipping experience and joins HFW in London from the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency, where he was Head of Navigation. He previously held a variety of roles at TechnipFMC, including Vessel Master and Senior Chief Officer, and also worked at WightLink Isle of Wight Ferries.
HFW now has 14 Mariners and Master Mariners across the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia Pacific, working alongside more than 40 lawyers in the largest specialist marine casualty practice of any law firm.
Dominic Johnson, Head of Admiralty and Crisis Management, HFW: “I am delighted to welcome Mike into our Admiralty and Crisis Management team. Mike’s extensive seagoing experience and his work with the MCA will complement and enhance our already-strong team of mariners, who continue to deliver excellent technical support to our clients when dealing with their complex and often high-profile casualties.”
Mike Bunton, Master Mariner, HFW: “I am excited to be joining HFW as an industry leading law firm within the maritime sector. In what is inherently an international industry, HFW’s global reach provides a truly international service, making it ideally placed to offer Admiralty and Crisis management services. I look forward to working with new colleagues to support clients navigating the evolving risks and challenges faced by shipping today.”
HFW’s market-leading global shipping practice comprises more than 220 lawyers advising on dry shipping, admiralty and crisis management, and transactional work for clients across the industry.
HFW has more top-tier rankings for shipping in legal directories Chambers and The Legal 500 than any other law firm, and is ranked by The Times as one of the UK’s top maritime practices.
HFW was recently voted UK Law Firm of the Year at the British Legal Awards.
