Two of the biggest global shipping law firms have bolstered their teams in the UK and Greece.
Ince has added five lawyers from rival Keoghs to build up its Bristol office, while Hill Dickinson has poached a Stephenson Harwood staffer to add to recent recruits in Piraeus.
Ince said it was continuing to grow and develop the maritime division with two new partners.
Daniel Crockford and Alex Penberthy have extensive shipping dispute resolution experience, and will work closely with Ince’s long established London and international teams.
Crockford is to lead the Bristol operation and specialises in contentious shipping and marine insurance issues.
He has advised and acted on a variety of cases including collision, damage and salvage claims, as well as theft and fraudulent claims.
Penberthy meanwhile is an expert in marine litigation with strong experience in casualties and prosecutions, cargo and freight claims involving P&I clubs and ferry operators.
The two partners are joining in July, together with three more Keoghs lawyers.
Three more hires
Clarissa Dumolo, who will be a managing associate, is an expert in insurance fraud. In addition, Joanna Mansel will join as senior associate and Markella Padoplou as a paralegal.
"Our global shipping offering continues to go from strength to strength," said Adrian Biles, chief executive of the Ince Group.
"This new team hire forms part of our strategy to strengthen our Bristol office by aligning our services with London and international."
Senior partner Julian Clark said the reputation built by the two new partners is "second to none".
Hill Dickinson meanwhile said it is responding to market support and client needs in Greece with the appointment of Kostas Karachalios as a senior associate in Piraeus.
The lawyer was already based in the port with Stephenson Harwood.
He brings with him 15 years of ship finance experience, advising both banks and borrowers on a wide variety of shipping and ship finance transactions.
One out, one in
Earlier this month Hill Dickinson lost its legal director Aris Moschopoulos to Ince. The experienced lawyer will be an Ince partner in Piraeus.
Last August, Hill Dickinson added Vanessa Tzoannos to the Greek team from Ince.
This followed the recruitment of Ian Teare in January as partner from Wikborg Rein in Singapore, where he was both managing partner and led the casualty response practice for Asia.
Teare splits his time between Hill Dickinson’s London and Piraeus shipping teams.
