The Legal 500

Norton Rose is widely viewed as being pre-eminent for ship finance work. It recently advised Citibank and other lenders on a $1.25bn loan to the Angelicoussis Group to finance nine LNG tanker vessels being built in Korea. Dimitri Sofianopoulos, Yianni Cheilas and Vassilis Koroxenidis are highly recommended.

Watson, Farley & Williams – Greek Branch has a very prominent position in the market and remains active despite market conditions. It recently advised UniCredit Bank on a $120m reducing loan facility to Costamare. The firm also assisted Commonwealth Bank with preparing a $73.6m loan to Tsakos Energy Navigation to finance a shuttle tanker newbuild. George Paleokrassas enjoys an excellent reputation.

Constant & Constant, The Maritime And International Trade Division Of TLT LLP provides ‘excellent legal advice’, and is ‘very responsive’ and ‘great value for money’. Jeremy Watson has ‘always been impressive’, and clients also praise the firm’s ‘very thorough paralegal team’, which ‘takes care of the more administrational matters in a smooth and proactive manner’. The firm primarily acts for banks, including ABN AMRO, Credit Suisse, DNB Bank and RBS.

Robin Parry leads Ince & Co’s quality practice, which was involved in a number of significant financings and corporate transactions. A key highlight was representing a syndicate of banks led by Kexim on the financing of three LNG tanker newbuilds for Dynagas.

Stephenson Harwood’s team has ‘a good formula for success’, in part owing to its ‘professional, friendly and efficient’ practice head Nigel Bowen-Morris. The firm is mainly active on the lender side, where it advised clients such as HSBC, Alpha Bank, DNB and ABN AMRO on financings and debt restructurings. Highlights included assisting DVB Bank with the restructuring of a $293m loan to a Greek shipping company.

Bairactaris & Partners regularly represents borrowers and lenders on acquisitions and shipbuilding. Vangelis Bairactaris and John Valfadis are recommended.

Alexia Kleonakos at Holman Fenwick Willan LLP is ‘loyal and forthright in her advice’, and has ‘good relationships with other lawyers in the industry’. The firm acts for an impressive mix of shipowners and lenders, including Credit Suisse, Lloyds TSB, Ray Car Carriers, and DAO Shipping.

Basil Spiliopoulos is the main partner at KGDI Law Firm. Despite the downturn, it handled several newbuild acquisitions, including Samos Steamship Company’s financing and delivery of two new bulk carriers.

Sarantitis Law Firm has a long track record representing lenders and borrowers. It recently advised a major international bank on nine shipping loans totalling over $208m. Eleni Papakosta heads the team.

Theo V. Sioufas & Co. Law Offices’ strong reputation is reflected in a client list that includes Deutsche Bank, Eurobank Ergasias, Commerzbank, and Crédit Agricole. Theo Sioufas, Constantinos Emmanuel and Charalambos Sioufas are recommended.

Timagenis Law Firm acts for a mix of borrowers and lenders, including Emporiki Bank, UniCredit and New Proton Bank. Lily Politsopoulou-Timagenis heads the team.

John Papapetros heads V&P Law Firm’s highly regarded team, which acts for a mix of lenders and shipowners. Marfin Egnatia Bank is a key client.

Ship finance is a core area for A. S. Papadimitriou & Partners Law Firm, which represents borrower and lender clients, such as OceanFreight Inc (which was recently acquired by DryShips Inc) and Probank.

Antony Antapassis – George Albouras Law Office has a good track record in shipping and aviation finance, representing various Greek and European banks. Antony Antapassis is recommended.

PotamitisVekris’ clients include Minerva Marine, Eurobulk and Brave Maritime. Vicky Psaltis is now the key contact after name partner Ioannis Vekris passed away in 2012.

Reed Smith is better known for litigation work, but is increasingly active on the transactional side. George Panagopoulos is recommended.

Scorinis Law Offices has recently advised lenders such as Bank of Cyprus and Millennium Bank on the restructuring of shipping loans.