US law firm Squire Patton Boggs (SPB) has continued to expand its maritime team by poaching two lawyers from rival HFW.
Hazel Brewer has been appointed as a new partner in Perth, Australia, and Ivan Chia has joined as a partner in Singapore.
Both will be part of the company's commodities and shipping industry group, formed in 2019 with the recruitment of Barry Stimpson and Jessica Kenworthy from Reed Smith.
In June last year, the firm brought in a six-lawyer commercial disputes team spanning London and Singapore, and a corporate team focusing on commodities assets, from Holman Fenwick Willan.
Squire Patton Boggs later added a Perth-based corporate partner and team from the same firm.
Momentum continued
"We are continuing to build on the momentum we have achieved by adding further high-calibre partners who will expand our global commodities and shipping capabilities," said Stimpson, the group's co-head.
"We know Hazel Brewer and Ivan Chia well; they bring synergies in key areas of our practice from both a disputes and corporate perspective, and add depth to our existing team."
Brewer and Chia were partners at HFW.
Brewer began her legal career in shipping and commodities in London at Middleton Potts, then joined HFW in Dubai, before transferring to Australia in 2007.
She has 30 years’ experience in shipping, offshore, international trade and marine insurance.
Her client base includes Australian miners and exporters, oil and gas producers and contractors and operators, ASX-listed and private companies, and marine industry insurers.
Stimpson said: "A number of us have previously worked with Hazel, and her practice, skills and considerable experience make her a superb addition to our global team and greatly enhances our shipping and commodities capability in Australia and in the wider Asia Pacific region.
"The continued development of our services in this area is a key strategic goal for the firm and we look forward to Hazel’s arrival and the opportunity to work together again to the benefit of our clients."
Transaction specialist
Dual-qualified in Singapore and England, Chia is a transactional specialist, with a particular focus on international energy, renewables and infrastructure projects.
He has advised on the joint venture and merger-and-acquisition transactions for significant projects involving onshore and offshore wind farms, ports, LNG and petrochemical plants, offshore and floating energy assets and other infrastructure across Asia.
"With his connections across the region, Ivan will play a significant role in the further growth of our Asia Pacific corporate and projects practices, as well as adding greater depth to our global commodities and shipping team," Stimpson said.
