Watson, Farley & Williams is a leading international law firm with a presence in major financial centres in Europe, Asia and the US.
The firm: The firm has offices in London, New York, Paris, Hamburg, Munich, Rome, Milan, Madrid, Athens, Piraeus, Singapore and Bangkok.
Types of work undertaken: The firm offers clients services of the highest quality by developing its expertise in the sectors it knows best. These are principally finance and investment, maritime, energy, natural resources, transport, real estate and ICT. In these areas its lawyers’ specialist skills and experience provide effective, commercially focused advice across a broad range of corporate, finance, dispute resolution and tax matters as well as employment and regulatory issues.
The firm focuses on the strengths that provide clients with real value: in-depth expertise, a high ratio of partners and talented, proactive people able to work with major clients at the highest level.
Finance and investment: Watson, Farley & Williams ranks among the leading international practices advising banks, investors (including funds and other institutions), on financing transactions in Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia. It advises on the full spectrum of general banking matters, leasing, securitisation, international capital markets, private equity, workouts, insolvency and restructuring. Acting for both lenders and borrowers, the firm has substantial experience in cross-border transactions, many involving multiple offices collaborating on complex multi-jurisdictional issues.
Maritime: Watson, Farley & Williams’ client base collectively dominates global shipping markets and the firm has by some margin the largest team of dedicated ship finance specialists of any law firm worldwide. With offices in the world’s major ship finance centres it offers fully integrated advice on every aspect of domestic and international transactions including newbuilding and second-hand acquisitions, domestic and cross-border finance, structured financing, credit enhancement structures, commercial contracts, sale and purchase, workouts, restructuring and insolvency.
Energy: Watson, Farley & Williams advises on domestic and cross-border financings, project development, M&A and associated financial and legal issues in fossil and renewable energy, both onshore and offshore. It has advised on power generation transactions in virtually every fuel category. The firm has over 20 years’ experience in energy-related projects, M&A, corporate and equipment financing, commercial contracts and tax planning. It is a European leader in the renewable energy sector, known for innovative and sophisticated use of financing.
Natural resources: Watson, Farley & Williams has long term experience advising on exploration and production, financing, servicing and trading in natural resources, but mostly oil and gas and all forms of commodity. This includes M&A and investment in the sector, private and publicly listed capital markets, project finance, sale and purchase, services and transportations.
Transport: Watson, Farley & Williams’ transport practice complements its maritime expertise. It acts for banks, operators and owners, as well as advising on major infrastructure investments. It houses a team dedicated to entrepreneurial aircraft finance. Its expertise includes aircraft finance and leasing, as well as corporate and commercial aspects of the aviation sector. The firm advises port, terminal and logistic developers, investors, operators and managers.
Real estate: Watson, Farley & Williams’ international real estate practice acts for developers, domestic and overseas occupiers, investors, and lenders in connection with investment, development, finance and construction, as well as hotels and leisure. It deals with all aspects of commercial property matters, often working with the firm’s tax and corporate lawyers. It also has particular experience with international financial institutions and investment banks. Clients range from domestic and international organisations to major financial institutions, users, and governments needing advice on privatisation, deregulation or operator restructuring.
Information and communications technology (ICT): Watson, Farley & Williams’ ICT lawyers specialise in the converging areas of IT, internet, telecoms, satellite communications, multimedia, media and entertainment. They advise on a full spectrum of legal and commercial issues from M&A and finance/commercial contracts to content creation and provision, competition law and litigation. Their clients range from domestic and international organisations to major financial institutions, users and governments needing advice on privatisation, deregulation or operator restructuring.
Other offices: New York, Paris, Hamburg, Munich, Rome, Milan, Madrid, Athens, Piraeus, Singapore, Bangkok.
Number of UK partners 108
Number of other UK fee-earners 263
Above material supplied by Watson, Farley & Williams LLP.