Global, sector-focused law firm HFW is now the largest shipping practice of any international law firm in the region for both disputes and transactional matters.

HFW has recently boosted its leading Middle East practice with the hire of top-ranked shipping and offshore marine partners Rob Lawrence and Ian Chung. Rob and Ian collectively have more than 30 years' experience in the Middle East, and join HFW's Dubai office from Clyde & Co.

HFW has operated in the Middle East for more than 15 years and now has 20 partners and over 50 lawyers in total across offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Kuwait City and Riyadh.

Our shipping lawyers provide a comprehensive full service offering to the global maritime business community. We have over 200 lawyers and 13 Master Mariners worldwide, specialising in maritime law, reflecting our long involvement in this field. Our maritime lawyers have a sound understanding of how the market works across dry shipping, admiralty and crisis management, and transactional work. We represent the full spectrum of those involved in the industry, including shipowners and charterers, P&I Clubs, banks, international agencies, shipyards, marine insurance underwriters, governments, and brokers.

Our 20 Middle East Partners have more than 80 years’ experience servicing the maritime and offshore sectors across the region, supported by the largest team of dedicated shipping lawyers of any law firm in the Middle East hosting regional and English Law capability.

Ranked Band 1, Chambers Shipping 2022

“Absolute leaders in the UAE shipping market.” Chambers, 2021