Gregg Johnston > Stephenson Harwood LLP > Singapore, Singapore > Lawyer Profile

The team at Stephenson Harwood LLP ‘has strong expertise in shipping and maritime matters, taking a practical and commercial approach to debt restructuring’, with additional experience in the commodities and aviation sectors. Shipping finance specialist Gregg Johnston leads the team and maintains a strong track record in restructurings. Other key contacts in the group include Huay Yee Kwan and Michelle Yong.

Stephenson Harwood LLP‘s large and well-rounded practice is well-equipped to advise across the gamut of shipping and offshore matters. The team advises an array of major banks and shipping companies in wet, dry, contentious and non-contentious transactions, major financings, and disputes. It also has experience assisting on cases involving sustainability and ESG-linked loans. Gregg Johnston heads the practice and has particular expertise in distressed debt scenarios. Huay Yee Kwan is prominent for her work in PRC leasing in emerging markets. John Simpson and Michelle Yong bring charterparty law and arbitration-related specialisms to the team, whilst Gregory Xu provides expertise in banking and finance. Pedram Norton and May 2023-promoted partner Jeffrey Tanner are noteworthy for their offshore work. Justin Gan is also a noted member.

Stephenson Harwood LLP’s structured and aviation finance, shipping and offshore finance team advises a range of major financial institutions, banks, lessors and lessees, on contentious and non-contentious matters. It has seen numerous restructurings and refinancings alongside lease work, sales and purchases, and portfolio management in the aviation space. Saugata Mukherjee is praised for his ‘unparalleled depth of aviation industry knowledge‘, and Clement Leung is recommended for advising on the hedging aspects of aviation finance transactions. Piloted by practice co-head Gregg Johnston, the team handles a broad mix of multi-jurisdictional complex transactions including sustainability-linked loans, restructurings, and disputes. Gregory Xu, with over 15 years of experience in the maritime sector, excels in complex financing and restructuring issues. Huay Yee Kwan is noted for her expertise in PRC leasing, together with Pedram Norton and Jeffrey Tanner, who bring further depth and breadth to all aspects of ship and offshore finance.

Stephenson Harwood  is sought after for its special expertise in shipbuilding, and the team frequently advises clients such as Korean global corporates, international banks, and shipping and shipbuilding trading companies in this sphere. Practice head Michael Kim has extensive experience in ship finance and offshore mandates, as well as in general commercial litigation with a nexus to the industry. The group also includes Stuart Burrell, who acts for clients such as shipowners and shipbuilders in multi-jurisdictional litigation and international arbitration, and Stuart Beadnall, who is a shipping and energy specialist with particular expertise in contract negotiation. Sean Gibbons, who is regularly instructed to defend fraudulent cargo claims made against shipowners, and shipping and offshore financing specialist Gregg Johnston are also key contacts.