Lawyer Kirsty MacHardy has left Campbell Johnston Clark (CJC) to join rival Stephenson Harwood, which is beefing up its shipping team.
The dry shipping specialist will join the law firm's marine and international trade team as a partner at its London office. More hires are likely to follow, according to Alex Davis, the team's head.
Davis called MacHardy "a formidable lawyer, with a solid reputation in the shipping market".
"She brings qualities which strengthen the existing expertise within the team, and others which bring a new dimension to our international offering," he said.
"The geographic scope of her experience — which has a particular focus on Cyprus, Germany and Greece — will build on that already within the team, while her experience acting for ship managers is a new avenue for us."
In April last year, a CJC team led by MacHardy was successful in the UK Supreme Court. Her team represented Netherlands-based Credit Europe Bank in a dispute with Aspen Underwriting and other insurers.
She told TradeWinds at the time that the judgment would "give comfort to mortgagee banks that where they are a loss payee, they won't necessarily be tainted by an owner's fraud just by receiving funds by virtue of being a loss payee and assignee of insurance proceeds".
More recently, MacHardy has been representing Greek shipowner George Logothetis and his companies Lomar Corp, Lomar Shipmanagement and parent group Libra Holdings in a dispute with investors.
She acts principally for owners, charterers, protection and indemnity clubs and banks, and also a number of large ship managers.
As well as her experience in High Court proceedings and arbitrations, MacHardy advises on a wide range of issues arising under memoranda of agreement for ship sales, shipbuilding contracts and refund guarantees, charterparties and bills of lading. She also deals with problem loans and work-outs, joint ventures and sanctions issues.
Shipping expansion
Davis said expanding Stephenson Harwood's shipping expertise is a "key strategic priority" for the firm" and said more hires will follow.
"English law and jurisdiction remain the most popular choice in shipping contracts globally," he said.
"Given the stellar reputation and strength of the experience we already have in this area, recruiting more lawyers of Kirsty's calibre is something we intend to continue."
MacHardy's appointment at Stephenson Harwood marks her return to the firm after just over eight years with CJC.
She worked as an associate at Stephenson Harwood for three years, before leaving in late 2012.
MacHardy will also support her new firm in enhancing its diversity and inclusivity, about which she is a passionate advocate, Davis said.
"As we begin to emerge from the pandemic, one aspect of this which is front of mind is how we might embrace new ways of working, taking an approach which best serves our people and our clients. We know that this will be key to our long-term success, specifically in terms of attracting and retaining the most outstanding lawyers," he said.
Stephenson Harwood's marine and international trade practice serves the shipping, insurance, offshore and commodity sectors.
Its shipping clients comprise major shipowners, shipyards, ship finance banks, marine insurers and P&I clubs.
