Ashwin Nair hired by HFW to continue its growth in Australia
Across Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, the firm now has about 100 lawyers
By : Legal Era
Update: 2022-09-29 03:30 GMT
Ashwin Nair hired by HFW to continue its growth in Australia
Across Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, the firm now has about 100 lawyers
One of the top 30 UK firms, HFW has boosted its practice in Western Australia with the hire of shipping partner Ashwin Nair in Perth.
Gavin Vallely, the managing partner at HFW Australia, commented, "Nair brings a depth of experience in shipping and marine insurance. His experience in working across a wide range of matters and his local knowledge will enhance our offering to our Australian and international clients."
Nair specializes in shipping, admiralty, and marine insurance, the areas where HFW is seen as a market leader. His client base comprising shipowners and charterers and their P&I Clubs and other insurers of marine risks dovetails with the firm's core client base. His keen interest in the offshore energy and commercial fishing industries aligns with HFW's increasingly diverse commercial offering.
His broad-based practice covers a range of marine casualty management, disputes and litigation, and advisory and transactional work. This provides him with better reach across the criminal, civil, regulatory and insurance aspects.
Having joined HFW as its 24th partner in Australia, Nair earlier worked at the local maritime boutique Cocks Macnish. He trained and qualified at the boutique firm and was until recently serving as a director. He also had a three-year stint as a claim executive in Singapore's The Shipowners' Club.
The addition of Nair continues a period of sustained investment by HFW in Australia, which is its third-largest market globally after London and Hong Kong.
Since 2020, the firm has added 11 new partners across its Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney offices, where it now has nearly 100 lawyers. They advise on aviation, construction, projects, employment, insurance, shipping, commercial litigation, corporate, and finance. Its traditional strengths in commodities, insurance and energy are also well-known.