UK-headquartered legal firm Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) has promoted seven lawyers to the firm’s partnership for 2024, including two shipping experts.
The appointments took place worldwide, covering Spain, South Korea, Hong Kong and France.
Valerie Lee, part of the assets and structured finance team for shipping, is based in Hong Kong.
She advises banks and financial institutions on asset, offshore oil and gas and project finance, as well as general banking and finance transactions.
Lee also acts for shipowners and leasing companies.
Dora Ying also works in Hong Kong, as part of the same team.
She is a ship finance specialist, representing banks, leasing companies and other institutions on domestic and international loans.
WFW’s senior partner George Paleokrassas said: “I’m delighted to welcome seven such talented lawyers to our partnership.
“Their expertise focused on our core sectors in line with our firm strategy greatly enhances both our partnership, the offering to our clients and the firm generally, ensuring WFW continues to expand and succeed through 2024,” he added.
Managing partner Lindsey Keeble said the new partners reflect WFW’s global reach.
This is particularly true in Asia, following the opening of the Seoul and Tokyo offices last year.
Recruits from Stephenson Harwood and Ince
In March, the law firm expanded its shipping practice with recruits from Stephenson Harwood and the collapsed Ince group.
Maritime disputes expert Nikki Chu, who was previously a managing associate in the marine and international trade group at Stephenson Harwood, joined as a partner in London.
Chu has more than 11 years of experience, specialising in dry cargo shipping, including charterparty, bill of lading, cargo and shipbuilding disputes, and advising clients on LNG shipping issues.
WFW also brought in dispute experts Natalie Jensen and Khalid Hamed from Ince in Dubai, who are now partners in the firm.
