Watson Farley Williams Asia Practice (WFWAP) has bolstered its Singapore maritime finance team with the relocation of partner Simon Petch from Watson Farley Williams (WFW) in London, as the firm looks to cater to increasing demand in that practice area.
The arrival of Petch, who specialises in shipping finance, advising banks and owners on loan and security documentation, shipbuilding contracts, sale and purchase and general commercial documentation, has taken the number of partners at WFWAP to 16, and the total number of fee earners to 44.
Petch’s relocation comes amidst a period of expansion for WFW, with the firm recently setting up a new office in Hong Kong in association with Lau, Leong & Co.
“This relocation is also essentially market driven, given the boom in the maritime/offshore oil and gas sectors and then additional resource in our Singapore office is needed,” said Chris Lowe, partner at WFWAP. “We are in the middle of a boom in our core markets, and consequently, as a maritime finance specialist, there are plenty of business opportunities for Simon in debt financing, leasing, banking, structured, leasing and Islamic finance work.”
Lowe added that the firm expects to see further expansion of WFWAP, particularly in its Singapore law capability. The firm currently has 14 Singapore law qualified lawyers.
Petch’s move follows the relocation of aircraft finance partner Siva Subramaniam, who moved from London to Singapore in February. ALB
Ranajit Dam is Southeast Asia Editor at ALB. Follow him on Twitter: @RanajitDam_ALB.
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