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London-headquartered law firm Penningtons Manches Cooper has strengthened its Singapore office with the hire of shipping and commodities disputes specialist Max Lim as a partner. He joins from Big Four law firm Rajah & Tann.
Lim’s clients include shipowners and operators, insurers, banks, commodity traders, energy companies, and offshore players. He handles disputes involving charterparties and bills of lading and works on casualty matters in the Asia Pacific region.
In commodities and trade finance, Lim handles disputes involving goods sales and represents trade finance banks in recovery actions. His work includes shipbuilding, repair and conversion matters, ship sale and purchase, and commercial issues such as regulatory compliance, sanctions and insurance/reinsurance.
Lim has spent the entirety of his legal career at Rajah & Tann, having joined that firm in 2012 as a trainee.
“The Singapore office is now in great shape, and Max’s recruitment will consolidate and strengthen our position,” said Darryl Kennard, head of Penningtons’ marine, trade and aviation practice, in a statement. “Aside from Max’s expertise in shipping, I am particularly excited to have an experienced commodities and trade finance practitioner in Singapore to complement those in our London and Piraeus offices.”
Penningtons’ Singapore office was rocked last year by the departure of a three-member team, led by partners Nick Dingemans and John Zadkovich, to Stephenson Harwood.
The office now has three partners, including banking and finance expert Nick How, who also joined from Rajah & Tann.