Graduate Recruitment Go global with us

Graduate Recruitment
Go global with us
We believe that we are different at Holman Fenwick Willan and that we offer something
more personal in our legal service and in our training contracts. We concentrate – as we
have for more than 125 years – on advising businesses engaged in international commerce.
In many ways we see ourselves as commercial advisers,
rather than as pure lawyers. We are, of course, legal experts in
our chosen fields of practice, but we use that expertise as
the foundation of the advice we provide, rather than as the
primary focus.
This is, however, not unique among commercial law firms. What
makes us different is our core industry and legal expertise, and that
the firm is full of enterprising and innovative lawyers.
Completing a training contract with us means working alongside
some of the most respected and talented lawyers in their field and
embracing opportunities, where Trainees are valued as individuals
and encouraged to become Partners.
Our goal is to help you develop as a skilled and confident lawyer.
Your training contract therefore involves workshops, direct client
contact and skills training which support the hands-on responsible
work you will do.
Given that we recruit a small number of Trainees annually in
London, we ensure that each individual is both valued and well
trained. We give you our full attention. Your personal contribution
makes a real difference.
Richard Crump, Senior Partner
n HFW OFFICE
n ALLIANCE OFFICE
GLOBAL OPPORTUNITIES
You will join our team of over 450 lawyers working from offices in São Paulo, London,
Paris, Rouen, Brussels, Geneva, Piraeus, Dubai, Singapore, Hong Kong, Shanghai,
Melbourne, Sydney and Perth serving clients based throughout the world.
All our offices, including our two alliance offices in Abu Dhabi and
Riyadh, are located in important centres of international commerce.
Working in such an international environment introduces you to a
wide variety of legal systems from an early stage and shows the
importance of choosing a favourable legal jurisdiction in which to
bring or defend actions.
Our international perspective is reflected in the languages used in
the firm. In the London office alone, members of the firm speak
over 40 different languages.
We provide every Trainee with the chance to experience our
international network first-hand. Recently Trainees have completed
seats in Brussels, Paris, Piraeus, Geneva, Dubai, Hong Kong,
Singapore, Shanghai, Melbourne and Perth. From the outset
of your career with us, you will gain access to cutting edge,
multi-jurisdictional work, enabling you to develop into a competent
international lawyer, capable of thriving in a global environment.
HFW Graduate Recruitment 1
WHAT WE DO
We have concentrated the development of our capabilities and the growth of our
expertise on a limited number of sectors fundamental to the way international commerce
works, ensuring we continue to offer clients in-depth industry knowledge coupled with
leading legal advice.
ruise
el, C
Trav eisure
L
&
Aviat
ion
ties
odi
mm
Co
Spa
ce
Su
g
in
er
ne
gi re
tu
ts
ch
ya
r
pe
Co
ns
tru
& cti
In on
fra ,
st En
ru
c
Po
io n
s
Shipping
Energy
Lawyers for
international
commerce
in
nc
m
ia
r
Te
l In
&
sti
tut
r ts
Fi
s
na
al
Mi
nin
g
Logistics
2 HFW Graduate Recruitment
&
ce
a n n ce
r
u
a
I n s su r
in
Re
Aviation
We have a broad based practice advising insurers, banks,
manufacturers and support providers, airlines, owners,
operators, passengers and freight forwarders on a range of
issues including regulatory and competition issues, operations,
claims and liability disputes, and the financing and structuring
of principal aviation transactions. Our experienced global team
routinely provides emergency response services.
Construction, Engineering & Infrastructure
Financial Institutions
Our practice has developed to encompass all manner
of domestic and international banks and other financial
institutions. Our experience ranges from infrastructure and
project finance, ship and aviation finance and leasing to Islamic
finance, trade finance and private equity. We regularly advise
on disputes arising from trade and asset finance, complex
accounting issues, investment fraud and financial instruments,
and restructuring and insolvency issues.
Our construction and engineering practice covers both
contentious and non-contentious matters with clients
across the entire spectrum of the construction industry, from
international/domestic main contractors and governmental
bodies and developers to subcontractors and suppliers. We act
for a broad range of clients worldwide, including developers,
owners, project companies, oil and gas companies, power
generation companies, shipyards, manufacturers, contractors,
insurers, professionals and specialist sub-contractors.
Insurance & Reinsurance
Commodities
Logistics
We act across the spectrum of the international sale of goods
including soft commodities, oil and gas, coal and steel, and
non-ferrous and precious metals. Our worldwide clients include
multinational energy and chemical companies, coal and metal
traders, soft commodity trading houses, trade finance banks,
governments and their agencies, brokers, insurers and trade
associations. We have many years’ experience of dispute
resolution in commodity matters, and have been involved in
leading cases in the law of commodities.
Energy
We have expertise at every stage of the energy chain, from
exploration and production, storage and transportation, LNG,
refining, trading and sale of oil and gas to electricity generation,
energy management, renewables and carbon trading. We
advise oil companies, service contractors and insurers on a
range of issues affecting the way business is conducted and
have an emergency response team who are experienced in
advising on all aspects of any casualties or disasters that may
occur.
We provide a range of dispute resolution, transactional and
regulatory services including policy defence and coverage
work, reinsurance recoveries, subrogation, finality solutions,
setting-up new ventures, product development, drafting
and distribution, and run-off and closing down discontinued
ventures. Our clients include insurance companies, captives,
insurance intermediaries and other agencies, managing and
members’ agencies at Lloyd’s, and run-off service providers.
We act for buyers and providers of logistics services, as well
as the insurance sector, on a range of insured and commercial
disputes arising out of logistics operations. We also draft and
negotiate agreements for the procurement and provision of
logistics services, negotiate bespoke contracts and advise on
the risks and insurance requirements arising out of logistics
services. We have in-depth knowledge of the international
conventions applicable to ocean, road, rail and air carriage
and also of the standard conditions commonly used to govern
logistics services.
Mining
We advise on mergers & acquisitions, projects, construction
and development of terminals and storage facilities, trade and
structured finance, insurance, physical trading, derivatives and
sale and purchase arrangements, regulatory and EU issues
and transportation, as well as advising on any disputes that
may arise anywhere in the world.Our clients include producers,
traders, financiers and insurers in the business of selling,
trading and financing mining and minerals.
HFW Graduate Recruitment 3
Ports & Terminals
One of the largest teams specialising in legal matters relating
to the development and operation of national and international
ports and terminals. Our clients include leading global port
and terminal operators, international shipping lines, national
port authorities, investment funds, foreign governments,
harbour and coastal towage companies, transport and logistics
companies, supply chain managers, infrastructure support
development specialists, civil and maintenance work providers,
contractors, consultants, commodities trading companies,
banks and financial institutions, and insurance providers. We
have been involved in ports and terminals projects in more
than 45 locations globally, including in China, India, the Middle
East, Africa and South America, as well as in the UK and other
European countries.
Shipping
We are long-standing specialist advisers to the international
shipping sector. We understand how the market works, both
from the perspective of underwriters and Clubs, and that of
their clients and shipowning members. Our admiralty and
casualty response practice advises on any situation that may
arise, from collisions, explosions and piracy, to total loss and
wreck removal. We advise on all forms of shipping contracts,
ship and transport-related disputes, ship finance, corporate
matters and marine insurance.
Superyachts
Our market leading superyachts practice draws together a team
of expert international lawyers who have in-depth technical
and commercial knowledge of this specialist sector. Our clients
come from across the sector and include builders, designers,
owners, banks and financial institutions, charterers, brokers
and insurers.
Travel, Cruise & Leisure
Our practice includes advising on shipping and travel law,
regulatory compliance, company/commercial matters, dispute
resolution, health & safety, crisis management, IT/IP and
data protection. Specific areas of expertise include vessel
and vessel operation agreements, M&A and JVs, IP and IT,
regulatory cruise ship advice, employment, crewing and
passenger disputes, corporate and regulatory issues, ATOL and
CAA licensing, aircraft charter and sub-charter agreements.
Our clients include cruise companies, shipowning groups, P&I
Clubs, ship management companies and holiday companies.
Space
We provide advice and legal representation to the space
industry and to its insurers and reinsurers on all matters arising
out of product supply, launch, in-orbit and other risks. We
understand the usual contracting principles and regulation of
the industry and are experienced with ITAR. We have been
chosen to advise on some of the largest insurance matters the
industry has seen.
HFW Graduate Recruitment 4
WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?
There is no typical HFW Trainee. Recent Trainees have studied subjects as diverse as
music and engineering, or following graduation, have worked in areas as varied as the
Lloyd’s market, the shipping industry, banking and the media.
When recruiting, we look for individuals with excellent
communication skills, who are bright and commercial. As
the majority of our Trainees spend time in a least one of our
international offices we are also keen to hear from applicants who
have a global mindset and who are excited about developing
their career in a dynamic global environment.
As many of you apply before you know your final degree mark,
your first and second year results should demonstrate that you
Nazim Alom (Trainee Solicitor)
Degree: Law at University of Greenwich
Seats: Commercial & Banking Disputes; Corporate, Projects &
Finance; Trade & Energy
What has been the most rewarding aspect of your training
contract to-date?
Sitting with a senior Partner in the Corporate, Projects & Finance
department gave me the opportunity to be involved in a range of
transactions from the beginning of my training contract. During
my first seat I was involved in a transaction in which our client was
interested in acquiring two software development companies via
two separate share purchase agreements.
The transaction was challenging as our client was a Singaporebased company which specialised in making investments in
information technology companies and they were particularly
keen to close the deal as soon as possible. My very first task was
to review two online databases with a view to downloading all
documents exchanged as part of due diligence. As part of this due
diligence, I was required to review each document and extract key
information or points of concern and then to draft individual due
diligence reports so that the client was able to ascertain the key
features of the transactions.
5 HFW Graduate Recruitment
are on course for a good upper second. Languages are an
advantage, as we are an international firm with multilingual clients.
We also value highly your ability to understand complex financial
or technical issues. Our clients range from individual businesses
to multinational corporate blue chip companies, so we look for
well rounded individuals to reflect our commitment to our broad
spectrum of clients.
What made these transactions particularly rewarding was the fact
that I was working closely with the Associate on the transaction and
I had the opportunity to be involved in all aspects of the transaction
from the very outset. Working closely with the Associate enabled
me to develop my knowledge of the key features of a share
purchase transaction and enabled me to contribute at all levels
throughout the transaction. At HFW it is usual to work closely with
Associates and Partners on transactions and it is this aspect of my
training contract which I find most rewarding.
Due to the nature of six month seats, it is not
usually possible to be part of a transaction
or case from inception through to
completion. I was however able to be
involved on this transaction through to
completion, which was an immensely
exciting and satisfying experience.
Guy Robson (Trainee Solicitor)
Degree: Geography at Edinburgh University
Seats: Aerospace; Geneva
Katie Lilley (Trainee Solicitor)
Degree: Philosophy at Warwick University
Seats: Corporate, Projects & Finance; Shanghai
What has been the highlight of your training contract so far?
I am currently completing my second seat in the Shanghai office,
sitting with a Partner and Associate who specialise in shipping
litigation. A highlight of my seat so far has been my involvement
in an arbitration relating to a charterparty dispute, which resulted
in our client being awarded circa $60 million. I was involved in
the preparations for the arbitration: corresponding with experts,
counsel and clients and preparing hearing bundles. I was also
able to attend the hearing in London. I am currently involved in
the preparations for high court proceedings relating to complex
disputes under several contracts of affreightment (contracts
for the transport of goods by sea). Although my workload has
predominantly focused on shipping litigation, I have undertaken
some admiralty work, specifically drafting a preliminary report in
relation to a vessel collision.
Throughout the course of my seat, I have had the opportunity to
draft submissions, witness statements and settlement offers. I have
liaised directly with clients and counsel, and given a presentation
to a P&I Club. I have also been encouraged to attend lunches and
drinks with current and potential clients, with a view to nurturing
existing relationships and developing new ones.
What are you most enjoying about your current seat?
I am enjoying my seat in the Aerospace department, it’s one of
the smaller departments in the firm and this has a number of
advantages. I have been able to interact and work with all of the
different Partners in the team which has provided me with a great
variety of work. I have also enjoyed being challenged and pushed
by being given a lot of responsibility. I have interacted with clients
and participated in meetings, drafted important documents and
liaised with other solicitors in relation to disputes.
The department’s particular areas of expertise that I have been
involved in include aviation liability and dispute resolution. Much
of my work has been in relation to advising insurance clients
on contractual limits of liability and exposures and providing
practical advice to airlines for their insurers. An example of
this is a passenger being injured whilst on a flight and claiming
compensation against the airline. We investigate the claim,
handle the procedural aspects and advise the airline’s insurer
on their liability.
The aviation claims that arise vary in size and I have been able to
take on a suitable level of responsibility for a number of the smaller
claims. I have liaised with the other side in several claims, drafted
instructions to counsel and helped to prepare for a hearing
to set aside a default judgment. My most
interesting assignment to-date involves
complex litigation in a product integrity
dispute. The dispute centres around
whether an aircraft engine functioned
properly and was fit for purpose.
Understanding the technical aspects
of this particular case has been a
challenging and interesting experience.
Outside of work, I settled into Shanghai life very quickly. There are
a multitude of sports and other social clubs, and a variety of expat
events held throughout the year. Living in the centre of town, I am
within walking distance of the famous French Concession, and a
host of restaurants and bars.
HFW Graduate Recruitment 6
“I have particularly enjoyed being put in charge of an
application for an extension of time for service of an
arbitration claim form out of jurisdiction. I prepared
the supporting witness statement and documents, and
drafted the legal arguments section of claim submissions
in preparation for an adjudication in a construction case.”
Marie-Anne Smith (Trainee Solicitor)
Degree: Law and Spanish at Sheffield University
Seats: Commercial & Banking Disputes; Paris; Trade & Energy
What attracted you to HFW and how has the training
contract lived up to your expectations?
The main reason for applying to HFW was its combination of
high-quality and cross-border work in a medium-sized and friendly
environment.
I spent my first two seats in Trade & Energy and Commercial &
Banking Disputes respectively, and I am currently completing
my third seat in HFW’s Paris office. I have had the opportunity to
attend court hearings and mediations, prepare application notices
and draft orders, as well as draft pleadings, witness statements,
letters of advice and instructions to counsel. I have particularly
enjoyed being put in charge of an application for an extension
of time for service of an arbitration claim form out of jurisdiction.
I prepared the supporting witness statement and documents,
and drafted the legal arguments section of claim submissions in
preparation for an adjudication in a construction case. These tasks
are in addition to my broad responsibilities as a Trainee, which
include the general management of cases, attending and taking
notes at client meetings, and carrying out research on a range of
legal and procedural issues.
So far I have very much enjoyed my training at HFW. The quality
of the work and level of responsibility have been consistently high,
and the work environment is friendly and supportive, and one in
which you are encouraged to make your mark.
I was determined to specialise in a technical field with an
international reach. HFW is a global leader in shipping, which is a
highly technical area that is, by definition, international. HFW’s other
fields of expertise, such as commodities, insurance & reinsurance
and litigation, also played an important role in my decision to apply
to and accept the training contract offer from the firm.
HFW Graduate Recruitment 7
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSIVITY
We promote a workplace where diversity is valued, where everyone has the opportunity
to contribute and fulfil their own potential. This in turn, we believe, helps us to deliver the
best service to our clients, and is central to everything we do.
nWe are signatories of the Law Society’s Diversity & Inclusion
Charter. The Charter is a public commitment to developing and
implementing best practice in equality, diversity and inclusion.
nWe are members of Stonewall’s Diversity Champions’
Programme, and attend the Law Society’s Firms’ Diversity Forum.
nWe monitor all stages of our recruitment and promotion
processes to ensure that the criteria used are appropriate,
remove unintended bias and give everyone an equal chance.
nWhere possible, we facilitate flexible working for those with
care responsibilities.
nWe recognise that as an employer in the legal sector, we have
a responsibility to promote access to the profession from
all sectors of society. We support a number of initiatives to
encourage students from low income backgrounds to consider
law as a career.
nWe are signatories of PRIME, the work experience commitment from the legal profession. Through this initiative, we provide quality work experience for school-age students across the UK from disadvantaged backgrounds.
CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Our corporate social responsibility programme extends to:
nCharitable programmes: On a global basis, the firm
supports ChildHope, an international charity which supports
programmes in Africa, Asia and South America that challenge
violence suffered by children and young
people. In addition to this, individual
offices take part in a range of
fundraising activities for local
charities working with their
communities. The firm
also regularly donates
to fundraising efforts in
response to some of the
world’s worst disasters.
nCommunity programmes:
The firm runs a number of
mentoring, literacy, language
and art projects in local
communities, working with local
schools and colleges to encourage
children and young adults to participate
in education in a way they may not
8 HFW Graduate Recruitment
previously have thought about. We also support The Chauncy
Maples Malawi Trust, a charity set up to renovate the Chauncy
Maples steamer as a floating clinic on Lake Malawi, providing
treatment for diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, measles
and HIV/Aids.
nAll Trainees play an active role in pro bono and community
legal work. We offer advice, on a pro bono basis, to charities
and other not-for-profit organisations. For example, we operate
a weekly drop-in advice centre in a south London borough
staffed by Partners, Associates and Trainees.
nEnvironment: In 2009 the firm joined Green500, a carbon
reduction scheme, pioneered by the Mayor of London. As a
result, the London office recycles 60% of its waste material.
nLondon Living Wage: We are an accredited ‘Living Wage
Employer’. A Living Wage Employer ensures that all employees
in London are paid at least the London Living Wage. This
includes individuals who work on a regular basis at Friary
Court, but are not necessarily employed directly by the firm,
including subcontractors, such as cleaners or security staff.
Hao-Ling Yau (Associate – Hong Kong)
Degree: Law at Kings College, London
Seats: Corporate, Projects & Finance; Hong Kong; Shanghai;
Trade & Energy
Qualified: 2011
Michael Buffham (Associate –
Commercial & Banking Disputes)
Degree: Law at Bristol University
Seats: Commercial & Banking Disputes; Corporate, Projects &
Finance; Piraeus; Trade & Energy
Qualified: 2013
One of the most interesting – and challenging – aspects of our work
in CBD is the variety of issues we handle. The team’s specialism
spans commodities, banking, construction, shipbuilding, insolvency,
employment, energy, offshore and natural resources. The breadth of
our practice reflects the diversity of our clients’ business needs and
understanding the practicalities of the industries we work across
is central to what we do. One of the best things about my job is
that it feels like we are immersed in our clients’ businesses and
solving real problems. Our clients include banks, energy companies,
producers, financiers and commodity traders.
The matters I have worked on have ranged from relatively simple
contract disputes to complex, highly publicised, multi-jurisdictional
fraud claims, share option and joint venture disputes and a breach
of fiduciary duty claim.
Our clients conduct their business all over the world and everything
we do has an international element. I have been lucky enough
to work abroad twice, undertaking a secondment in-house at a
bank in Abu Dhabi and spending one of the seats of my training
contract working in our Piraeus office. Most, if not all, Trainees will
have the opportunity to do a seat abroad. This is one of the best
things about training at HFW, not just because of the chance to
travel but also for what you can learn from the experience. Our
firm and our clients operate internationally and having experience
of working abroad is extremely valuable in understanding how we
and our clients work. Several people in my intake found their time
working abroad so rewarding that they have qualified into one of
our international offices.
After having the good fortune of training in the London, Hong Kong
and Shanghai offices, I was given the opportunity to qualify into the
Hong Kong office.
A typical day in the Hong Kong office may start with attending
a court hearing in the morning. As I specialise in commercial
litigation, my work involves various types of disputes, ranging from
fraud and banking disputes to personal and corporate insolvency
proceedings.
When I return to the office, I often need to draft up the terms of
the Court Order to be approved and sealed by the Judge’s clerk.
I would then report the results of the hearing to the client – although
I am based in the Hong Kong office, many of our clients are located
in Europe as well as the PRC, which means working closely with
our other international offices, in particular London and Shanghai.
The rest of the day will generally involve reviewing and acting on
emails, conducting legal research and general case management.
If there are looming court deadlines, I often need to draft affidavits
and skeleton arguments in support of, or in opposition to, court
applications. In addition to qualifying in England and Wales, I have
this year also qualified as a Hong Kong solicitor, and I look forward
to the opportunities of advocating in court myself!
The Hong Kong office is in a prime location
above Admiralty MTR station, and just a
short walk across the bridge to the High
Court. I have a wonderful view of the
Kowloon skyline from my desk. There
are plenty of options close to the office
for eating, with Hong Kong dim sum
being a personal favourite for lunch!
The Hong Kong office is a friendly
environment to work in and on a
Friday evening it’s always easy
to find people in the office who
are keen to go out for drinks.
HFW Graduate Recruitment 9
YOUR DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING
Our aim is to retain all Trainees on qualification, to develop your
career as an Associate and support your progress to partnership.
We have one of the highest retention rates in the City, and it is
for these reasons that we are highly selective in the recruitment
of our Trainee Solicitors. Each Trainee who joins us is assured an
outstanding training contract. You will do interesting, stretching
work, very often with an international element. You will have early
responsibility, under the supervision of an experienced lawyer.
We work to the highest standards and look to maintain and
enhance this through every hire that we make, and our Trainees
are no exception. Your training from day one will begin with a
tailored induction programme. You will be fully integrated into our
firm through face-to-face information sessions with Partners and
Associates, in addition to attending interactive workshops with our
business services departments and key players from our legal areas
of expertise.
You will have four six-month seats, sitting with a Partner or a Senior
Associate. Typically three seats will be in litigation and one in a
non-contentious department. You may have the opportunity to be
seconded to one of our international offices, or to a client.
You will have the opportunity to join one of our pro bono schemes.
Trainees are important members of the team and frequently enjoy
participating in various activities within our CSR programme, some
of which include attending a Legal Aid Advice “Drop-in” clinic in
Morden and also assisting students from our local borough, Tower
Hamlets, to apply for university places and training them with key
business skills. We also encourage our Trainees to get involved
with out-of-office activities, including sports teams (football, netball,
rugby, golf, cricket and sailing), gym membership, quiz nights and
staff parties.
We arrange regular assessment meetings with a Partner to
discuss your progress. We aim to ensure that your training is both
successful and enjoyable.
10 HFW Graduate Recruitment
Geoffrey Conlin (Senior Associate –
São Paulo)
Degree: Spanish & Portuguese at Edinburgh University
Seats: Trade & Energy; Insurance & Reinsurance; Ship Finance;
Shipping & Transport
Qualified: 2004
During my training contract I completed a seat in the insurance and
reinsurance dispute resolution department, which really captured
my imagination and has determined my career to date.
The nature of the work has been complex, truly international
and often very challenging. After qualification, I worked from the
London office and assisted on various cases, including arbitrations
and court proceedings in London (including the Court of Appeal),
but also in New York, Greece and throughout Latin America.
In various instances, this involved resolving disputes that arose
out of the same facts in different jurisdictions at the same time,
either as primary lawyers, or as the supervising lawyers of local law
firms. During this time I learnt a lot, not only about insurance and
reinsurance law, but also about litigation strategy.
In recent years, I have been doing more and more work involving
losses in Latin America. This coincides with my general interest in
the region and culminated in my relocation in February this year
to the HFW office in São Paulo, Brazil. The main purpose of the
relocation is to assist in the development of our insurance and
reinsurance practice whilst, at the same time, handling the usual
day-to-day case load. It’s been a busy time, involving case-related
and marketing trips to Rio de Janeiro and London on various
occasions and to Mexico, Peru, Argentina, Paraguay, Chile,
Ecuador and Colombia. In order to assist our clients we have also
developed, with the input of local lawyers from throughout the
region and with whom we work closely on case-related issues, one
of the first international comparisons of insurance and reinsurance
law and local claims handling issues for fourteen jurisdictions in
Latin America. There are clearly plenty of challenges ahead but, so
far, it’s been an interesting journey!
Elinor Dautlich (Partner)
What is the most exciting part about being a Partner in your
practice area?
When I moved from my English degree and journalism into a
second career in law, I wanted to choose a sector that would make
the law exciting, and for me this was ships. I applied to London law
firms with a shipping focus and qualified into transactional shipping
at HFW in 1996. I describe myself as an “owners’ lawyer”, looking
after the commercial contracts which a shipowner enters into
(shipbuilding, sale & purchase, chartering and ship repair), as well
as financing arrangements, JVs and ownership/leasing structures.
No deal is ever quite the same, but our task is to think laterally and
make the deal happen.
I also work in the superyacht and business jet sectors, acting for
manufacturers, designers and owners. It’s a slightly different skill
set as these are very personal assets rather than income earning
ones, and this changes the way commercial decisions are taken.
I had my two sons whilst an Associate and came back to work
full time thanks to support and flexibility from the firm. Ultimately, it
is about keeping the client happy rather than being in any particular
working environment and certainly that is a lot easier with modern IT.
My best trips are to shipyards and I always carry flat shoes in my
briefcase in case there is time for a tour.
I was made a Partner in 2004. We are a growing firm, but still of
a size to take individual decisions as Partners across all the offices.
I spent time in our new Sydney office in 2010 and I got stuck there
visiting family as the volcanic ash hit Europe. The office kitchen
was full of bananas and beer, but there was plenty of lawyering
going on. I haven’t made it to our Dubai office yet, but I did hear
Bon Jovi in Abu Dhabi in the heat of a summer evening a couple
of years ago, between signing a yacht contract and a late flight
back to Europe.
It’s hard work but never boring.
“I applied to London law firms with a shipping focus and qualified into transactional shipping at HFW in 1996. I describe
myself as an “owners’ lawyer”, looking after the commercial contracts which a shipowner enters into (shipbuilding,
sale & purchase, chartering and ship repair), as well as financing arrangements, JVs and ownership/leasing structures.
No deal is ever quite the same but our task is to think laterally and make the deal happen.”
HFW Graduate Recruitment 11
Dimitri Vassos (Office Head – Piraeus)
How has your career evolved as HFW has grown over
the years?
My first experience of HFW was during a summer placement in the
London office in 1991. The firm at the time had only a couple of
international offices and we hadn’t opened our Greek office. As a
university student with a family-bred love for the sea, I was looking
to find a home for my career that would combine law and ships on
an international platform.
At the end of the placement I knew there would be no better
place for me to fulfil my plans. I was so inspired from this short
experience at Holmans that I then went on to do a two month
stint on a large bulk carrier on a voyage from South America to
the Baltic. Such practical experience made me reaffirm my wish
to become a shipping lawyer and proved invaluable later on in
my career. After completing my degree in London, I joined HFW
London as a Trainee and spent a total of seven years there.
Doing a mix of “wet” and “dry” shipping litigation was exactly what
I needed to become marketable to one of the firm’s international
offices (and which by then had grown in number). Despite an initial
interest in Hong Kong, I thought that Greece was probably my
natural habitat. On transferring to the Piraeus office, I had to do my
national service in the Greek Navy. I served on a minesweeper for
a couple of months before moving to a post ashore.
I quickly developed my own clients, mainly Greek based but also
from Turkey and the Near East. Since then, there has never been
a dull moment. A case that particularly stands out in my mind was
a deal between an Eastern European client and a Middle Eastern
government. We negotiated from a tent in the desert (blackberry
reception was an issue!), and I was introduced to the customs,
and culinary delicacies of the local tribal leaders.
Working abroad has given me the opportunity to meet and work
with the actual shipowners. I have been able to develop strong
business relations with a significant number of them, some even
becoming friends. The feeling in this relatively small but extremely
powerful business community is quite unique. It has kept me
interested in my career and focussed throughout, as I felt I was
an integral part of it.
Despite Greece’s economic woes in recent years, the maritime and
international business sectors in Greece are particularly buoyant.
To some extent, shipping is insulated from the rest of the economy
and with Greece being a leading maritime nation, its shipowning
community and satellite service providers (insurers, banks, traders,
brokers etc) operate with an air of professionalism and advanced
business standards.
Thanks to my English legal education and the training and
experience gained in the London office, my legal career has rapidly
evolved in this ever dynamic and burgeoning sector. I became
Partner about ten years ago, and the Piraeus Office Head in 2007.
My work brings me back to London
regularly, where I invariably represent
clients in arbitrations, High Court
trials and mediations. Maintaining
an international career perspective
whilst working out of Greece in
conditions very similar to London
and taking advantage of the local
lifestyle provides an exciting life that
most people would wish for!
“Thanks to my English legal education and the training
and experience gained in the London office, my legal
career has rapidly evolved in this ever dynamic and
burgeoning sector. I became Partner about ten years ago,
and the Piraeus Office Head in 2007.”
12 HFW Graduate Recruitment
Training Contracts
Becoming a lawyer at Holman Fenwick Willan is not “run of the
mill”, so it is often very helpful for you to experience life with us at
first hand and for us to get to know you better.
We encourage all of our Trainees to become future Partners.
That is why we recruit only a small number of Trainees.
Applications for vacation schemes open on 1 November and close
on 14 February.
Applications for training contracts open on 1 November and close
on 31 July. We recruit two years in advance.
How to apply
Application for vacation schemes and training contracts is by
Mi
dd
way of our on-line application form. Please visit our website
les
ex
St
at www.hfw.com/careers for further details and to apply.
psg
Ne
w
Open days
We run open days during the year to enable you to experience
our firm first-hand and meet our Trainees, Associates and Partners.
Please see our website for dates and details on how to apply for
an open day.
St
mm
Our
schemes are open to undergraduates and those who
have graduated or are at work.
Pl
w
rro
Ha
t
eS
Ln
el
Bro
Ca
ad
stl
St
av
e
op
sg
at
sh
h
St
Du
l
Ald
t
eS
Lim
Fr
iar
s
a
t
Cable
St
es
St
Tow
am
er
Hil
l Te
rrac
e
l
St
ed
tch
Cr
u
Trin
ity
Mark Ln
Minsing
l
t-Hil
Roy
tS
l Min
St
Idol Ln
ary-a
t
Dock
St M
Ln
Road Ln
Ln
pot
Phil
Ln
St
cot S
Tower
Gateway
Station (DLR)
ell
St
hur
ch
cec
ter
S Ten
t
olph
oroug
Scarb
nS
r Hil
h St
ma
Gra
t
Le
Bot
eS
t
St
m St
Ali
er
ent
Et
Willia
St
er S
ent
Nt
W tenter St
Mansell St
King
et
er T
h
Bu
Goodman’s Yard
ries
Low
w
Tower
Hill
e
Tow
t
le
ck
St
Pres
Mino
By
S
ard
Square
St
Portsoken
nt
Cresce
s St
St
vdon St
Ha
t
Vine S
Thame
er
ah
am
St
ittl
e
s
tT
ow
Row
Gr
ea
Pepys St
per’s
t
Heart S
Crosswall
Coo
Lower
River Thames
Dunster Ct
Seething Ln
St
St
ent
on
St
num
Fenchurch
Street Station
ha
Br
Minorie
m
t
Av
e
d
Lon
illia
urch S
St
's
yd
gW
Mo
te
ga
St
Holman Fenwick Willan
rch
Fen
te
St
hurch Av
chu
Fench
ga
h
Hig
e St
Vin
d
Al
Fenc
p
ec
t
hS
Hig Drum
rs
me
So
t
tre
’s
P
tol
Aldgate
Jewry St
nhall S
Mi
ke
Bo
it
Wh
l
pe
L
Leade
Creec
hur
ch
Ln
St M
Bu
ary
ry
Ct
Axe
itc
t
hS
ns
Old
Gr
Throg
Bi
ks
sd
St
nd
ton
ar
ou
uls
M
Go
s
Llo
Kin
A
t
vi
St
mort
ial
on Av
e
erc
tle S
t
Bank
ur St
Cas
Ct
St
ry
H
Aldgate
East
ex
Be
Bu
Leadenhall St
Monument
Station
es
dle S
Cornhill
r th
id
Throg
dnee
M
n St
morto
Threa
dl
rmwo
You will work on real cases as theyWounfold,
our Partners
od Sassisting
t
and Associates, as well as participating in workshops and social
events.
Ma
Bl
ool S
t
Co
on W
all
vacation
ho
om
fie
l
Live
rp
Bis
dS
t
Liverpool
Street
Vacation Schemes
Lond
ate
For more information on how to apply please visit our website
at www.hfw.com/careers
HFW Graduate Recruitment 13
INTERNATIONAL OFFICES
United Kingdom
Friary Court, 65 Crutched Friars
London EC3N 2AE, United Kingdom
T: +44 (0)20 7264 8000
F: +44 (0)20 7264 8888
France - Paris
65 rue d’Anjou
75008 Paris, France
T: +33 1 44 94 40 50
F: +33 1 42 65 46 25
France - Rouen
47 avenue Gustave Flaubert
76000 Rouen, France
T: +33 2 32 08 18 60
F: +33 2 35 89 90 54
Belgium
Blue Tower, Avenue Louise 326
B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
T: +32 2 643 3400
F: +32 2 643 3488
Switzerland
6th Floor
Cours de Rive 13-15
1204 Geneva, Switzerland
T: +41 (0)22 322 4800
F: +41 (0)22 322 4888
Greece
6th Floor, 83 Akti Miaouli & Flessa Street
185 38 Piraeus, Greece
T: +30 211 189 3500
F: +30 210 429 3118
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
In association with Allazzam Law Office
Tahlia Street, Tahlia Trading Center 2
First Floor Office 105P.O.
Box 250532, Riyadh 11391, Saudi Arabia
T: +966 1 288 6679 or +966 50 6193143
F: +966 1 288 6697
14 HFW Graduate Recruitment
Abu Dhabi
In association with Salem
Al Maddfa Advocates
Blue Tower, 6th Floor Suite 601
Al Khaleefa St, PO Box 42914
Abu Dhabi, UAE
T: +971 (0)262 66880
F: +971 (0)262 66033
Dubai
Level 8, Barclays Building
Emaar Square, Sheikh Zayed Road
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
T: +971 4 423 0555
F: +971 4 425 7941
Hong Kong
15th Floor, Tower One
Lippo Centre, 89 Queensway
Admiralty, Hong Kong
T: +852 3983 7788
F: +852 3983 7766
People’s Republic of China
Room 901, China Insurance Building
166 East Lu Jia Zui Road, Pudong
Shanghai, 200120, China
T: +86 21 2080 1000
F: +86 21 2080 1177
Singapore
3 Church Street, #19-03 Samsung Hub
Singapore 049483
T: +65 6534 0195
F: +65 6534 5864
Australia - Sydney
Level 29, 201 Elizabeth Street
Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
T: +61 (0)2 9320 4600
F: +61 (0)2 9320 4666
Australia - Melbourne
Level 41, Bourke Place, 600 Bourke Street
Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia
T: +61 (0)3 8601 4500
F: +61 (0)3 8601 4555
Australia - Perth
Level 19, Alluvion
58 Mounts Bay Road, Perth
WA 6000, Australia
T: +61 (0)8 9422 4700
F: +61 (0)8 9422 4777
Brazil - São Paulo
Av. Paulista, 1337 - 21°, Andar - cj.211
Bela Vista - São Paulo - SP
CEP 01311-200, Brazil
T: +55 (11) 3179 2900
F: +55 (11) 3179 2914
Lawyers for international commerce hfw.com
© 2013 Holman Fenwick Willan LLP. All rights reserved