Renowned shipping lawyer Nigel Thomas is retiring after a 35-year career at UK-based Watson Farley & Williams (WFW).
The senior adviser and former chairman will stand down at the end of this month.
Thomas joined in 1987 after five years working as an investment banker at Lazard.
Since then, he has played an instrumental role in helping WFW grow into an international sector specialist with the largest dedicated maritime legal practice in the world, the firm said.
In 1988, he moved to Oslo to run the office there, before relocating to Singapore 10 years later to found the firm’s first Asian base.
After returning to London, he headed the asset finance team there, as well as the global maritime operation for a number of years.
This consolidated his reputation as one of London’s leading shipping lawyers, WFW said.
Thomas, who served as chairman from 2017 to 2022, has worked on many high-profile maritime transactions over the years, most recently advising Nordic lender Nordea on Prosafe’s $1.5bn restructuring in 2021.
But his most enduring legacy may be helping develop and launch the Poseidon Principles, banks’ framework for assessing and disclosing the climate alignment of shipping portfolios to support decarbonisation.
Warmth and kindness
WFW said: “Nigel is admired by his colleagues, not only for his commitment to WFW and legal acumen but, above all, for his genuine warmth and kindness, always taking time to get to know colleagues, clients and staff on a personal level and making an effort to nurture junior colleagues and develop their careers.
“This generosity extends to his fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace by sponsoring and championing various initiatives over the years, including the firm’s alumni programme.”
Senior partner George Paleokrassas said it had been “an absolute pleasure” to work with Thomas.
“He will be greatly missed by everyone who has had the privilege of knowing him. His contributions to the success of the firm cannot be overstated, having helped us grow into the international success that we are today from almost the beginning of the firm’s existence,” he added.
Paleokrassas said Thomas’ support was vital when he and Lindsey Keeble became senior partner and managing partner, respectively, in 2021.
“His charisma, humour and encyclopaedic legal knowledge will be sorely missed but we wish him all the best in what is a truly well-earned retirement,” Paleokrassas said.
