HFW employs shipping lawyer

HFW employs shipping lawyer

In a related development, an offshore base was opened in the British Virgin Islands last week

HFW, the most important UK law firm, has expanded in Denmark with the addition of Jens Mathiasen, leading Danish shipping lawyer.

By establishing a base in Sweden, HFW says it is the only global shipping company with a Scandinavian office. Additionally, this marks the firm's second overseas expansion in a week, after last Monday's acquisition of the BVI office of Bahamas litigation firm Lennox Paton, a rare instance of an onshore law firm acquiring an offshore base.

In Denmark, Mathiasen was previously the head of the shipping, offshore, and transportation practice at the leading independent law firm Gorrissen Federspiel, he is one of just four attorneys ranked in the top tier for shipping law by the directory Chambers & Partners. The maritime lawyer brings a broad practice of M&A, ship finance, sales and purchases, shipbuilding, charter parties and maritime law to his new firm. The lawyer also handles legal disputes and arbitrations.

HFW is strengthening its European shipping credentials by gaining access to the lucrative Scandinavian shipping market, which has historically been controlled by independents such as Wikborg Rein. In addition to diversifying away from traditional shipping centres, like Monaco, where the firm opened in 2019 and Piraeus, where it has been operating for over 35 years.

Mathiasen is considered a leader in the Danish shipping market as it is one of the world's most important markets, according to Paul Dean, head of shipping for Mathiasen. In spite of the firm's existing connections in Denmark and local activities, Dean said "having a presence on the ground is a game-changer for our shipping practice".

As a firm, we see significant opportunities in Denmark across our other global core sectors, as well, since Jens is a trusted advisor to boardrooms throughout Denmark and has a strong reputation with clients. We are uniquely positioned to provide English and Danish law disputes, advisory and transactional advice to the maritime and offshore sectors."

Having started at Gorrissen Federspiel in 1997, Mathiasen left the firm again in December 2021 after having worked there from 1997 to 2001. He spent two years at Norwegian firm Wiersholm Mellbye & Bech and returned to Gorrissen in 2008 as a partner.

At his former firm, Mathiasen led the Shipowners' Council of Copenhagen for more than a decade and taught maritime law at the company's graduate training program.

"Shipping is inherently international, so our clients need global advice," he said about his decision to join HFW's 200-lawyer shipping group.

In addition to Mathiasen's hire, Stephenson Harwood added Paolo Ghirardani, its former head of shipping, as a senior partner for its London office towards the end of 2020 and Mark Myles, a dual-qualified solicitor, and master mariner, from Reed Smith in Singapore in June 2021. In mid-2021, the firm also promoted six new shipping partners and legal directors.

Mathiasen will be assisted by further HFW personnel in due course.