Harry Theochari, one of the most senior lawyers in shipping, has retired as Norton Rose Fulbright’s global head of transport.
The 60-year-old stepped down at the end of 2020 after overseeing the rapid expansion of Norton Rose’s shipping practice since the late 1990s.
“I don’t want to be an old guy hanging around forever. We've got good people taking over,” Theochari told TradeWinds from his home in Hertfordshire, southern England.
His role is currently split between two global co-heads of shipping, Philip Roche and Simon Hartley, aviation head Duncan Batchelor and rail head Tom Johnson.
Norton Rose, one of the largest law firms globally, also has regional transport heads in Africa and the US.
It is not immediately clear whether it will appoint a like-for-like successor for Theochari as global transport head. TradeWinds has approached Norton Rose for comment.
With a strong background in shipping finance, Theochari was first appointed as head of Norton Rose’s shipping practice in 1996 when the department had about 50 staffers in five offices across the globe.
The British-Cypriot started to lead Norton Rose’s entire transport group in 2009, and he was overseeing a staff of more than 400 in over 20 offices when retired.
In early January, Norton Rose initiated a business overhaul that saw 19 lawyers lose their jobs across different practice areas.
Theochari also ended his two-year chairmanship at Maritime UK — the umbrella body for the British maritime sector — this month when Sarah Kenny was named the new chair.
“I lined up everything so I could finish them together,“ Theochari said.
He has continued to work for Norton Rose as a senior consultant and played a consulting role for Maritime UK. But Theochari said he does not plan to take on any full-time, fee-paying position any time soon, as he wants to enjoy some rest.
“I had never taken a break in my career,” he added.
Still, the industry stalwart is widely expected to be in the running for Maritime London’s chairmanship when Lord Jeffrey Mountevans retires. Theochari is vice chairman of the trade group, which represents maritime professional services in the UK.
He exited his full-time career with an impressive CV, having been recognised by Chambers & Partners and Best Lawyers as one of the world’s leading maritime law professionals.
