Chums on Seats - New Sydney firm

New Sydney firm

AUSTRALIAN maritime lawyers Stuart Hetherington and Rod Withnell have set up a specialist transport and marine insurance practice in Sydney. Rod served in the Royal Australian Navy before qualifying as a lawyer in 1974. Stuart was a partner at Ebsworth & Ebsworth for sixteen years before opting to start his own firm.

Holland & Knight

HAVING absorbed Haight Gardner Poor & Havens last year, Holland & Knight has now taken over Gabel & Hair, which has been operating in Jacksonville, Florida, for the last century. Holland & Knight managing partner Bill McBride says the acquisition "provides expanded capabilities for our maritime practice in the important North Florida market, while it gives Gabel & Hair clients access to the resources and capabilities of a larger firm."

Sydney merger

THE Sydney law firms of Conway O'Reilly and Yee & Co have merged to form Conway Leather Shaw.

Robinson & Cole

Gregory Ligelis has been appointed a partner at Robinson & Cole in the US. Based in Stamford, Gregory's main focus will be on litigation in marine insurance, admiralty, maritime law and international business.

Watson Farley Williams

TONY Rooth has joined Watson Farley Williams after twenty years as a partner at Clyde & Co, where he acted principally for shipowners and charterers. Tony established Clyde's office in Hong Kong, where he spent three years, and has represented most of the leading P&I and defence clubs.

Clyde & Co

CLYDE & Co has followed its London competitors and opened an office in Piraeus. Senior associate Martin Hall has moved from London to establish the new office. He will be supported by five partners with a Greek portfolio, who will each visit Piraeus on a rotational basis. In addition, a London-based Greek qualified lawyer, Nick Yannakoudakis, and master mariner Russell Rawlings will offer extra help as required. The address of the new office is 31 Akti Miaouli, Piraeus, Greece. Tel +301 418 7007. Fax +301 418 7010.

Ince & Co

Ince & Co has appointed three new partners. Louise Krenca has a wide range of experience in shipping & insurance litigation. Michael Volikas has worked in Ince's Singapore office and has considerable experience in charter parties/bills of lading, sale and purchase disputes and marine insurance. Andrew Iyer (right) specialises in commercial litigation and arbitration in the fields of international trade and commodities, energy and shipping.

Clifford Chance

Jonathan Brown has joined Clifford Chance, having previously worked for Holman Fenwick & Willan and latterly with Davies Arnold Cooper. He will be taking up a senior position in the firm's maritime group, serving the Middle East and Indian subcontinent from its Dubai office.

Sophia Robinson has also joined Clifford Chance, from Middleton Potts. She is a specialist in commodities, international trade, arbitration and shipping. And Tom Hickey has joined the maritime trade and insurance group to do general shipping work.