Lawyer and former master mariner Tony Goldsmith has been appointed as the head of marine at law firm Hill Dickinson.
Goldsmith, who is currently a partner in the firm based in Singapore, will take over from David Wareing who is retiring in the autumn.
The move is yet another change at the top of the law firm’s marine practice. Wareing took over from Julian Clark, who suddenly vacated the position in 2019 to become a senior partner at close rival Ince & Co.
However, it appears that Wareing’s leadership of the Hill Dickinson marine team was a stopgap appointment until a permanent replacement for Clark could be found.
Goldsmith has been with Hill Dickinson since 1993 after coming ashore and training as a lawyer. He opened its Singapore office in 1993, where he is currently stationed.
Goldsmith will relocate to London to head up the firm’s marine division.
Commenting on his appointment, Goldsmith said: “Our marine group has benefited hugely from David’s wise stewardship, helping to reinforce our position as an industry leader in the many sectors for which we are known.
“There are exciting and challenging times ahead as the world emerges from lockdown, and it is a privilege that I have been entrusted to take over the baton.”
Goldsmith is a ship casualty expert and lists the Costa Concordia among his case highlights.
In recent years, Hill Dickinson has been going through a transition period in which it has attempted to broaden the scope of its marine work and recruit more experienced lawyers.
Hill Dickinson chief executive Peter Jackson said: “Tony Goldsmith is hugely respected as a maritime law specialist, particularly in the field of marine casualty, and he is absolutely the right man to succeed our outgoing head of marine, David Wareing.”
Goldsmith's departure from Singapore will see Andrew Lee take over the post as head of the office in the city state, the law firm confirmed.
Lee has been with Hill Dickinson and its merger firm, Hill Taylor Dickinson, since the start of his legal career in 2001.
He worked for the company in London and Dubai before relocating to Singapore in 2009 as a co-founder of the firm’s new office, making partner in 2010.
“Despite the severe disruption to the markets created by the Covid-19 pandemic, Singapore remains one of the world’s most vibrant maritime centres and as a leading maritime law firm it is a tremendously exciting place to be,” said Lee.
“Tony has overseen a period of rapid growth of our Singapore office, having expanded the practice from just two lawyers to 15 during his time as office head.”
