HFW is a trusted advisor to banks, financial institutions, shipowners, and operators on a plethora of maritime finance transactions. The team frequently handles vessel acquisitions and financing, loan facilities, lease structures, sale and leasebacks, and refinancing arrangements. It covers both traditional and alternative financing, including pre- and post-delivery financing, JOLCOs, and shareholder loans. The practice is jointly led by David Brotherton, who advises aircraft lessors on portfolio trading, financing, and leasing, and shipping finance expert Adam Shire, who focuses on syndicated, bilateral, and club loans, as well as the sale, purchase, and registration of ships and yachts. Gudmund Bernitz brings particular skill in shipping, offshore, and export financings, restructurings, workouts, and enforcements. Rebecca Quayle handles aviation sales and leasebacks, engine operating leasing, spare part financing, export credit transactions, and commercial finance arrangements. Barbara Pansadoro recently left the practice.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Technically excellent and extremely responsive.’
‘Rebecca Quayle combines excellent technical ability with common sense and genuine personal warmth.’
'Team collaborates well with each other. Excellent work and deep experience.'
'This practice stands out for its strong technical expertise, practical approach, and deep industry knowledge.'
'The team is highly responsive, and combines a thorough understanding of complex legal and regulatory frameworks with a pragmatic, solution-oriented mindset.'
Key clients
- Air Europa Líneas Aéreas S.A.U.
- Avolon Aerospace Leasing Limited
- Challenge Group
- Falko Regional Aircraft Limited
- ICBC International Leasing
- Turkish Airlines, Inc.
- SunExpress
- Gunvor Group
- Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB (publ)
- DekaBank Deutsche Girozentrale
- Tsakos Energy Navigation Limited
- Nordea Bank Abp, filial i Norge
Work highlights
Acting for Tsakos Energy Navigation and various subsidiary shipowner companies in connection with the financing and refinancing of 7 ships as well as deliveries of a number of ships already financed.
Acting on behalf of Skandinaviska Enskilda Banken AB as lender, security agent and facility agent in connection with a senior secured credit loan facility in respect of the pre-and post-delivery loan financing of FUTURE WAY and WAY FORWARD, two 6,500 CEU LNG car carriers.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
David Brotherton; Adam Shire
Other key lawyers
Gudmund Bernitz; Rebecca Quayle