Suzanne Tarplee > Stephenson Harwood > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Combining ‘exceptional technical and commercial knowledge of the shipping industry’, Stephenson Harwood provides ‘pragmatic and solutions-oriented advice’ to commercial banks, alternative finance providers and operators. Ship finance head Ian Mace has deep knowledge across varied financing structures (including export credit backed deals and commercial debt, as well as more esoteric structures like Islamic finance) and is a popular choice among creditors and debtors on new money transactions and restructurings in the core shipping and offshore markets. Able to call upon a vast reservoir of knowledge gathered over his many years’ in practice, Jonathan Ward remains a strong presence in the market, and is particularly effective advising on matters with a Chinese nexus. Other recommended practitioners include Greek national Dora Mace-Kokota – who is able to ‘find compromising, creative and pragmatic solutions’ for both Greek and non-Greek clients – and recently promoted partner Jon Cripps, who ‘has exceptional specialist knowledge on complex structures’, including JOLCOs and back leverage structures. While shipping remains the bedrock of the practice, under the guidance of Richard Parsons, the aviation practice continues to thrive, including in the developing area of passenger to freight conversion projects. Rebecca Garner, who has ‘quite a remarkable eye for detail!’, is a popular choice for clients on aircraft acquisition and leasing. Tammy Samuel and Suzanne Tarplee co-head the rail offering, while Lisa Marks‘ broad equipment finance and leasing practice includes rail work, as well as an increasing amount of mandates relating to electric vehicles.

The team at Stephenson Harwood is praised for its ‘excellent and thorough understanding of the rail industry’. Furthermore, the group ‘understands the commercial needs of clients’. The dynamic team, which is co-led by Tammy Samuel and Suzanne Tarplee, has substantial rolling stock expertise. The group is well-placed to advise a broad mix of operators, financiers, manufacturers and maintainers on many major UK and international transactions. It also has considerable expertise in access disputes and in arbitration. Other core areas of focus include advising on franchising and concessions, in addition to procurement and regulation. Darren Fodey is a key member of the department – he has substantial knowledge of rail regulation and regulated contracts. Managing associate, Caroline Hooton, is lauded for her advice on the procurement of station facilities management services, station improvement and upgrade projects.