HFW

The Legal 500 Future Lawyers verdict on HFW

For aspiring shipping, aerospace and disputes lawyers, HFW’s sector-focused model, market-leading reputation and guaranteed international secondment continue to set it apart. The opportunity to work on ‘the biggest cases whilst maintaining a good work-life balance’, a small trainee intake, and a ‘down-to-earth culture’ further sweeten the deal.

The international firm’s overseas secondment offering is a standout attraction and, for many, the highlight of the training contract. Respondents describe it as a ‘unique opportunity’ which offers development on ‘both a personal and professional level’. ‘Being able to experience new work and a new office has been fantastic’ said one trainee, although others pointed out that navigating an unfamiliar language can occasionally prove challenging!

Back at home, trainees praise HFW’s friendly working environment, in particular the ‘approachability of senior members of staff’ and the strong camaraderie felt across the cohort. One respondent sums it up neatly: ‘I have greatly enjoyed working with all of my colleagues so far, at all levels of the firm from business services staff to trainees to partners’.

Interesting, high-quality work comes as standard. And with meaningful responsibility: memorable moments include ‘attending a High Court hearing on an appeal from arbitration’ and ‘tackling a highly-specialised and rapidly-developing issue’. Respondents also love being involved in a ‘broad range of matters’ and the learning opportunities this provides.

Of course there are pressured times; juggling arbitration and litigation deadlines, managing several competing demands and learning new systems can be very demanding. Trainees would also welcome ‘better technology’, ‘clearer late-working and holiday policies’, improved office perks and ‘a more competitive newly-qualified salary’. One respondent also called for stronger mentoring and clearer partnership pathways for women.

For trainees looking beyond a traditional City training contract, HFW’s offering is appealing: industry-leading sector expertise, meaningful responsibility and guaranteed international experience.

Day in the Life- Michail Sarantellis,

Departments to date: Shipping Litigation (London and Singapore)

University: Queen Mary, University of London

Degree: LLB Law

9:10am: I arrive at HFW’s Singapore office and pick up a quick breakfast from the complimentary breakfast bar on the way to my desk. After the mandatory morning coffee, I begin by reviewing emails and identifying any action points that arose overnight. Given the close collaboration between HFW’s international offices and the time difference between Singapore and London, there is often plenty to catch up on first thing in the morning. I then plan the day ahead, prioritising tasks according to urgency and importance.

10:00am: I respond to emails and deal with any new issues that have arisen overnight. One of the aspects I enjoy most about shipping litigation is the variety of work involved, which can range from casualties and cargo claims in jurisdictions such as Peru, Dubai and South Africa to collision disputes arising in busy waterways such as the Singapore Strait.

11:00am: My supervisor asks me to assist with drafting advice on a new matter involving a cargo collapse off the coast of New Zealand. I review the documents provided by the client, together with witness statements and expert reports, before preparing an initial draft. Having the opportunity to work on substantive advice early in my training contract has significantly improved my drafting skills and deepened my understanding of shipping law and dispute resolution.

1:00pm: I head out for lunch with fellow trainees and members of the shipping team. One of the highlights of being based in Singapore is the variety of food available at the city’s famous hawker centres, which provide a welcome break from the office and an opportunity to spend time with colleagues outside a working environment.

2:00pm: After returning to the office, I check my inbox for any emails received over lunch and reassess my priorities for the afternoon.

2:15pm: I assist with the preparation of a Notice of Arbitration for a Partner in HFW’s Sydney office who is handling a new charterparty dispute which provides for a Singapore-seated arbitration. Working on matters with colleagues from different jurisdictions is a common feature of life at HFW. The firm’s international network operates as one integrated team, enabling lawyers across offices to collaborate closely and provide seamless support to clients across different time zones.

3:30pm: I spend the afternoon assisting our Dubai office with a series of claims submissions arising from a charterparty dispute. This involves reviewing the relevant contracts, identifying key contractual provisions and analysing the evidence required to support the claims. One aspect of training at HFW that I particularly value is the level of responsibility trainees are given from an early stage. Managing multiple matters and deadlines encourages me to take ownership of my work and be proactive rather than simply waiting for instructions.

6:00pm: I attend the monthly office-wide drinks event, which provides a great opportunity to catch up with colleagues from across the firm. HFW has a genuinely sociable culture, and trainees are encouraged to attend both internal and external events. During my time in Singapore, I have attended a number of client and industry events, including those associated with Singapore Maritime Week, which have provided valuable networking opportunities and a greater understanding of the shipping industry.

8:00pm: After the event, I say goodbye to my colleagues and head home.

About the firm

The firm: 

Introductory paragraph about the firm: Every year we recruit only a small number of trainees – around 16 per year, split across a September and March intake. This enables us to give every trainee our full attention, and means that your individual contribution makes a real difference. Overall, we aim to provide you with a dynamic, supportive and varied environment in which you are challenged to become the best lawyer you can be and encouraged to contribute to the success of our global business.

List of clients: ABN AMRO Bank, Alpha Petroleum Resources Limited, BP plc, Excelerate Energy, Gategroup, HSBC Bank plc, ING Bank, Klaipėdos Nafta, Maersk Group, Markerstudy Holdings Limited, Northern Offshore Services, Qatargas, Swedbank, Trafigura, Tsakos Energy Navigation, Tullow Oil plc, Turkish Airlines Inc, Victoria Group AD and existing shareholders.

List of deals/cases in which the firm has been recently involved: Acted for the financiers on the amendment of loan facilities pursuant to the Hermes cruise debt holiday programme in respect of the Saga cruise ships ‘SPIRIT OF DISCOVERY’ and the ‘SPIRIT OF ADVENTURE’ whereby repayments of principal were deferred as a result of the Covid-19-related effects on the cruise market; acting for BW Epic Kosan Ltd. (previously Epic Gas) in connection with the refinancing of 17 LPG ships owned and operated by Lauritzen Kosan; acted for Northern Offshore Services in respect of (1) their purchase of two transfer vessels from SureWind and (2) the lease financing of those vessels provided by Flexam Invest; advised Trafigura Nala Matter on the formation of Nala Renewables – a new joint venture company with IFM Investors; advised Victoria Group on the disposal of its edible oil business, Victoriaoil, to Sun Valley and its co-owner Vaja Jhashi; advised Markerstudy on its acquisition of the Co-operative Group Ltd’s carrier, CIS General Insurance Ltd; advised Lithuanian LNG terminals operator Klaipėdos Nafta on its acquisition of a floating, storage and regasification unit (FSRU) following a public tender involving nine other leading international law firms; advising Qatargas, the world’s largest supplier of LNG, which is partly owned by Qatar Petroleum, on its vessel acquisition project, which forms a key element of the expansion of its North gas field; advising a leading commodities trader on a bid to purchase mining interests in Greece, including on international merger control aspects; advised a leading brand owner on its licensing and distribution arrangements in Europe, with particular reference to competition law.

Senior partner: Giles Kavanagh

Managing partner: Jeremy Shebson

Other offices: 22 global offices across the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Asia Pacific.

Who we are: We are a sector-focused, entrepreneurial law firm. We have a passion for the sectors we work in – whether solving complex issues across construction, aviation and shipping, or providing advice across insurance, commodities and energy. We are people who like to get things done. We are specialist lawyers here to add value to our clients.

What we do: 

Aviation, commodities, construction, energy, financial institutions, insurance and reinsurance, logistics, mining, ports and terminals, shipping, space, yachts, travel, cruise and leisure.

What we’re looking for:

We are looking for trainees who are bright, commercially focused and hard working. Strong communication and team working skills are a must. In addition, as our training contract is truly international, we look for individuals who have a global perspective and an interest in completing international work.

What you’ll do:

A training contract at HFW consists of four six-month seats – typically three contentious and one transactional, with at least one seat spent abroad gaining a global perspective of our work and clients.

Perks: 

Contributory pension; season ticket loan; group life cover, personal accident insurance and income protection; non-contributory medical insurance; private GP scheme; other voluntary benefits including gym membership, class pass, cycle to work scheme, dental insurance, dining card, home insurance, travel insurance, Give as You Earn. Onsite massage.

First-year opportunities:

Type of first-year opportunity:  Virtual insight day

Date:  24 March 2027

Application deadline: 11 February 2027

Sponsorship

Law school fees paid, depending on the point of offer, and a maintenance grant of £18,000 is available for each year of study for the PGDL and SQE.

Seat options

Aerospace, commodities, construction, contentious insurance, corporate and commercial, fraud and insolvency, non-contentious insurance, oil and gas, regulatory, shipping finance, shipping litigation, trade finance.

Overseas seats

Dubai, Geneva, Hong Kong, Monaco, Paris, Piraeus, Shanghai, Singapore.

Tips from the recruiter

1. Do your research – not every firm is going to be the right place for everyone. Take your time to work out what is important to you from your place of work. This will help you narrow down the list of firms to which you want to apply (it takes a long time to do a good application form!), as well as help you tailor your answers on application forms and in interviews.
2. Be yourself throughout the recruitment process – you will shine much more and end up at the firm that is right for you if you show your true self throughout the process.
3. Apply early – with the volume of applications firms are now receiving, most will start screening and shortlisting candidates not long after applications open.  You will increase your chances of success by making sure yours is one of the ones that is looked at early on in the process.

Diversity/inclusion