Lawyer Elinor Dautlich has left HFW after almost three decades to join rival Hannaford Turner as partner.
Dautlich is best known for her specialisation within LNG, having negotiated shipbuilding contracts and long-term time charterparties for a significant portion of the global LNG carrier fleet currently on order.
She joined HFW in 1994 and rose through the ranks to become a partner.
Dautlich regularly advises on contracts for floating storage and regasification units and floating storage units for LNG, as well as for the carriage of alternative fuels and charterparty provisions that relate to emissions regulations.
“Elinor has a widely acknowledged reputation for excellence in the shipping and energy sectors and I am tremendously excited about her joining HT and the benefits that both we and our clients can gain from her wealth of experience and expertise,” said Matt Hannaford, managing partner at Hannaford Turner.
The London-based firm advises international clients within commercial shipping, LNG and the offshore, superyacht, private aviation, luxury asset and physical commodities sectors.
Dautlich said the new firm would give her a “focused” platform to support shipping and energy companies.
“Geopolitics are unsettling as we begin 2024, but it’s an exciting time to be at the top of your game as a shipping lawyer and working with like-minded peers,” she said.
Her client base includes shipowners, operators, shipyards, designers and banks across the shipping, cruise, ferries, yachts and business jets, LNG and offshore sectors.
She advises on all types of commercial shipping contracts, ranging from charterparties and shipbuilding contracts to pooling agreements and recycling deals.
Dautlich also advises on ship and aviation finance and contracts for the design, construction, purchase and operation of yachts and business jets.
