Praised by clients as ‘The clear leader in shipping finance’, Watson Farley & Williams (New York) LLP’s New York-based practice advises on the gamut of shipping finance transactions, including capital markets and private equity deals. It also assists with restructurings, insolvencies, sanctions, and tax issues; and on behalf of owners, shipbuilders, investors, lenders and operators, the group advises on the Jones Act. In recent highlights, the team assisted Altera Infrastructure with aspects of its Chapter 11 restructuring process in the US. Senior partner and New York office head, George Paleokrassas represents shipping lenders and shipowners on the structuring and restructuring of loan and leasing deals, as well as transactions involving distressed assets; and Christopher Belisle assists with asset-based loan facilities for ships, along with lease financings. The practice further showcases John Benson, who represents financial institutions and investment funds, as well as owners and operators in the international shipping markets; and corporate, private equity, securities and capital markets transaction expert, Steven Hollander, who ‘gets the job done’. Other names to note are maritime sector specialists Filana Silberberg (a late 2022 hire from Seward & Kissel LLP), Will Vogel, C J Chido, Maxi Adamski-De Visser and Todd Johnson. In October 2023, former partner Daniel Rodgers left the firm.
L’éditorial du Legal 500
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Témoignages
Collectés indépendamment par l'équipe de recherche du Legal 500.
‘The clear leader in shipping finance.’
‘They are the go-to in this area. They do a great job.’
‘Full-scale ability to advise a shipping company, with expertise in all aspects of the business globally.’
‘The WFW Team is responsive and always readily available to address clients’ needs.’
‘Steven Hollander is very effective and commercial. He knows how to focus on the client’s needs and gets the job done.’
‘Steven Hollander is very active and highly involved in clients’ files - clients appreciate his attention.’
Clients clés
- Hudson Structured Capital Management (formerly Northern Shipping Management)
- SEACOR
- LISCR
- Royal Caribbean Group
- Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank
- Höegh LNG Holdings Ltd.
- Altera Infrastructure
- Dorian LPG Ltd.
- Danish Ship Finance
- Transcend Cruises
Points forts
- Acted as special maritime counsel to SEACOR Holdings Inc, through its subsidiary Seabulk Tankers, on the formation of a joint venture with Crowley.
- Advised both Seanergy and United Maritime on the spin-off by Seanergy of United Maritime, and a related public equity offering by United Maritime.
- Advised Altera Infrastructure on aspects of its successful Chapter 11 restructuring process in the US, which addressed over $1bn of secured and unsecured holding company debt, $400m of preferred equity, and $550m of secured asset-level bank debt.
Avocats
Hall of Fame
Avocats au sommet de leur profession, largement reconnus et respectés par l'ensemble du marché pour leur expertise éprouvée et leur intervention récurrente et longue date dans les dossiers les plus complexes et prestigieux.
Les grands avocats du marché
Avocats associés reconnus parmi les leaders du marché par leurs pairs et leurs clients, régulièrement présents dans les grands dossiers dans lesquels ils sont au premier plan.
John Benson
Steven Hollander
Les grands avocats de demain
Jeunes associés disposant d’une reconnaissance montante sur le marché, jouant régulièrement un rôle clé dans des dossiers majeurs.
Filana Silberberg
Will Vogel
Meilleurs collaborateurs
Jeunes avocats collaborateurs ou counsels qui se distinguent régulièrement par leur présence dans des dossiers importants du marché, et qui sont identifiés par le marché comme de jeunes talents à suivre.
C J Chido
Responsable de la pratique
George Paleokrassas
Autres avocats clés
Christopher Belisle; John Benson; Steven Hollander; Filana Silberberg; Will Vogel; C J Chido; Maxi Adamski-De Visser; Todd Johnson