Dry Shipping specialist Kirsty Machardy joins Stephenson Harwood as partner
Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP has strengthened its marine and international trade practice with the addition of dry shipping specialist Kirsty MacHardy. She joins as a partner based in the firm’s London office.
MacHardy’s practice covers a wide range of shipping litigation matters. She acts principally for owners, charterers, P&I clubs and banks, as well as a number of the largest ship managers. Her experience encompasses High Court proceedings and arbitrations, and she advises on a wide range of issues arising under memorandums of agreement (MOA), shipbuilding contracts and refund guarantees, charterparties, bills of lading, as well as in relation to problem loans and work-outs, joint ventures and sanctions issues. She joins the firm from Campbell Johnston Clark.
“Kirsty is a formidable lawyer, with a solid reputation in the shipping market,” said Alex Davis, head of marine and international trade, Stephenson Harwood. “She brings qualities which strengthen the existing expertise within the team, and others which bring a new dimension to our international offering. The geographic scope of her experience – which has a particular focus on Cyprus, Germany and Greece – will build on that already within the team, while her experience acting for ship managers is a new avenue for us. Expanding our shipping expertise is a key strategic priority for the firm: English law and jurisdiction remain the most popular choice in shipping contracts globally. Given the stellar reputation and strength of the experience we already have in this area, recruiting more lawyers of Kirsty’s calibre is something we intend to continue.
“Kirsty is also a passionate advocate for diversity, and of finding ways to support a culture of inclusivity. As we begin to emerge from the pandemic, one aspect of this which is front of mind is how we might embrace new ways of working, taking an approach which best serves our people and our clients – we know that this will be key to our long-term success, specifically in terms of attracting and retaining the most outstanding lawyers. Kirsty is keen to help us in playing a leading role in our approach to this, longer-term, and to ensuring that we preserve the positive things we’ve experienced during the last twelve months.”
The Stephenson Harwood marine and international trade practice offers services to clients in the shipping, insurance, offshore and commodity sectors. Clients include many of the world’s largest shipowners, shipyards, major ship finance banks, marine insurers and IG P&I clubs, energy services companies, oil and gas companies and commodities traders.
