US law firm Squire Patton Boggs (SPB) has brought in six lawyers from HFW to beef up its new shipping and commodities group as demand booms in the pandemic.
The Washington DC-headquartered company founded the division in November by recruiting two Reed Smith partners.
Now it has added two more partners in the shape of Chris Swart and Katie Pritchard, plus director John Rollason, senior associate Gabriella Martin, and associates Joseph Magoon and Patrick Greaney.
Swart and his colleagues will play a key role in the leadership of the commodities and shipping group, SPB said.
They will work closely with ex-Reed Smith staffers Barry Stimpson and Jessica Kenworthy.
Steve Mahon, SPB's global managing partner for clients and strategy, said: “With Chris, Katie and all our new colleagues, we have expanded our Commodities and Shipping Group to a best-in-class team with an enhanced global reach, able to support clients on the full range of commodities, shipping and finance issues.
Full-service approach
He added: "In the current crisis and the period of recovery that will follow, the Commodities and Shipping Group will work closely with the firm’s Corporate, Litigation and International Disputes Resolution practices enabling complex problem solving and a full-service approach to clients in the sector."
Swart is a specialist in commodities, shipping and litigation, including international arbitration, with more than 20 years of experience.
He advises leading commodities trading companies, as well as charterers, traders, insurers, state-owned companies and lenders, shipowners.
The lawyer set up the commodities practice at HFW in 2002.
He said: "Even before Covid-19, most commodities industries were restructuring as a result of technology, regulation and finance, with the legal services industry being challenged to adapt to provide much needed support.
"Now we are seeing an explosion in the demand for legal support and restructuring. The sale and shipment of goods remains essential to the global economy and its revival."
He added: "We have found a very collaborative and entrepreneurial culture at the firm, which is a huge advantage."
Pritchard’s practice is focused on international commodity trading and shipping, as well as international commercial arbitration and litigation.
Rollason is one of the leading global experts advising on GAFTA and FOSFA contracts, SPB said, while Martin is described as "a rising star" and fluent Mandarin speaker who has lived and studied in China, and worked in Singapore, Hong Kong and London.
The commodities and shipping group will provide a full range of legal services on all aspects of international trade and shipping and across all commodity sectors, including advice and assistance with transactions, corporate matters, trade finance, litigation and arbitration, regulatory matters, environmental law, renewable energy, derivatives and projects.
