The team at Holland & Knight handles a diverse case load, advising on Jones Act-compliant investments, vessel purchases, and wider ship financing issues. Alongside this, the group is expanding its financing around environmental and sustainability-related issues within the sector, including ship recycling, oil pollutions and carbon dioxide emissions reductions. Mike Timpone jointly leads the team, where he is frequently engaged in a range of distressed asset restructurings, acquistions and joint venture agreements. He leads the team alongside Sophia Agathis, who is a key contact for banks, credit funds, and wider institutional lenders. For global securities offerings and cross-border mergers and acquisitions, Jovi Tenev is a specialist. Nicholas Kaasik further strengthens the team with his expertise in debt financing, where he represents US and international shipowners, banks, and private credit funds. Timpone, Agathis, and Kaasik joined the firm alongside Kurt Plankl from Seward & Kissel LLP in April 2025. All individuals mentioned are based in New York.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- Mike Timpone and Sophia Agathis are world-leading. They are both highly experienced and solutions-oriented, able to confirm the legal position, and also able to provide practical advice in the relevant context. We get partner input; they are always available, or else return calls promptly.
- The quality of partners, along with their depth of market knowledge and practice, is exceptional. The team's enthusiasm to provide advice and constructive suggestions to get transactions done is what sets them apart.
- 'Sophia Agatis is extremely service-minded, hardworking, and knowledgeable.’
- ‘Mike Timpone is a true industry leader who always knows how to handle difficult situations and provide practical advice.'
- ‘The team had very strong industry and service level knowledge.’
Key clients
- Centerline Logistics Company
- Citibank, N.A.
- Crédit Agricole Corporate & Investment Bank
- Deutsche Bank AG
- DNB Bank ASA
- EnTrust Global (Blue Ocean Funds)
- First Citizens Bank
- ING Bank N.V.
- International Seaways, Inc. (NYSE:INSW)
- PNC Bank, National Association
Work highlights
Represented Blue Ocean Onshore Fund LP in connection with a $391 million senior secured term loan guaranteed by SEACOR Marine Holdings Inc.
Acted for International Seaways in connection with a $331 million export credit agency–guaranteed financing facility to partially finance the construction of six LR1 scrubber-fitted, dual-fuel (i.e., LNG-ready) vessels.
Represented DNB Bank ASA and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. as lenders and arrangers in connection with a $250 million senior secured revolving credit facility made available to Tidewater Inc.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
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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
Mike Timpone; Sophia Agathis
Other key lawyers
Jovi Tenev; Nicholas Kaasik; Kurt Plankl