Hill Dickinson Appoints Global Head of Shipping

Patrick Hawkins has been named the first head of global shipping at international law firm Hill Dickinson LLP. Hawkins, who also heads the firm’s Greek office, will manage and coordinate the firm's international shipping practice.

The firm said that recent high-level recruitment has included former Clyde & Co partner Chris Edwards in Singapore in June this year, and Kennedys partner Anthony Woo in the new Hong Kong Office in September. In the last 12 months the firm has also relocated two other shipping partners from London to its burgeoning overseas operations with Michael Mallin and David Reardon opening new offices in Hong Kong and Monaco.

Hawkins said, “I am looking forward to building on our significant investment in the firm’s European and Asia-Pacific offices in recent years and ensuring that the firm’s overall shipping capability is completely aligned to the needs of our clients worldwide. I will be working with the 100 strong team of global shipping lawyers worldwide to coordinate and further expand our current offering to the full range of our established client base. These include shipowners, charterers, P&I clubs, port and terminal operators, insurers and reinsurers and shipping industry suppliers who, we are confident, will welcome the enhanced service this will provide.”

Maria Pittordis, the overall head of Marine Trade and Energy division said, “The firm’s shipping team has experienced significant growth in recent years to service our clients’ needs, which has seen the opening of three new overseas offices: in Hong Kong, Singapore and Monaco. Patrick has the appropriate marine expertise and high-level management experience to carry our vision forward and we all look forward to further growth and opportunity for expansion.”

Additionally, London partner Russell Gardner has been appointed as Head of Shipping in the U.K. to lead a diverse team of specialist lawyers in both dry and wet work, and support the Global Head of Shipping and Marine Head within the wider remit of the firm’s international profile.

The firm has also announced the promotions of Jack Hatcher and Jeff Park to Senior Associate in the London shipping team and Lawrence Lagnado in the Commodities team as from November 1, 2014.