Law firm Squire Patton Boggs has raided the offices of rival Ince & Co to bolster its litigation practice in Hong Kong.
Ruaridh Guy has joined the law firm’s commodities and shipping industry group along with associates Lauras Rambinas and Tina Wong.
He follows Squire Patton Boggs’ recent addition of Michael Wray in Houston, Joel Cockerell in Singapore and Marco Crusafio in Milan.
“Hong Kong is one of the world’s most important maritime hubs and arbitration jurisdictions and we have been looking to develop our offering in that market as part of the expansion of our global practice,” said Barry Stimpson, who co-leads the firm’s commodities and shipping industry group with Chris Swart.
“Ruaridh and his team will give us greater strength in depth, as well as provide support to the litigation and arbitration teams in Hong Kong, our Singapore and Australia offices.”
Hong Kong office managing partner James Tsang added: “Ruaridh brings specialist litigation expertise to the firm and his wide-ranging client base will also create opportunities for our other practices in Hong Kong and across the Asia Pacific region.”
Qualified in both England and Wales and Hong Kong, Guy advises shipping and trading clients on a broad range of dispute resolution matters.
His experience is said to include court proceedings and arbitrations seated in Hong Kong, London, Singapore and Seoul under various rules and institutions, including The London Maritime Arbitrators Association, Hong Kong Maritime Arbitration Group, Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre and Singapore International Arbitration Centre.
“The team’s expertise includes dry shipping work, such as bills of lading, charterparties, contracts of affreightment, and ship sale and purchase contracts. They also act in relation to wet shipping matters, including collisions, fires and groundings,” Squire Patton Boggs said.
“On the trade side, the team regularly acts in disputes under contracts for the sale and purchase of commodities, in particular oil and oil products, coal and various metals, and on related issues such as letters of credit and guarantees.”
Guy is also described as having “substantial experience” in contentious insolvency matters, acting for creditors and liquidators.
Commenting on his appointment, Guy said: “Squire Patton Boggs’ broad geographic and practice offering provides the ideal platform for me and my team to continue to serve our existing clients, develop our client base, and assist in the further growth of the firm’s commodities and shipping industry group.”
