LEGAL WEEK: Singapore office for Hill Dickinson bucks trend

Jan 13 2009 by Ben Schofield, Liverpool Daily Post

HILL Dickinson will build on its global reputation for maritime law by opening an office in Singapore, the Liverpool-based firm announced yesterday.

Partners at Hill Dickinson said the expansion reflects their existing and increasing activities throughout the Asia Pacific region.

Managing partner Peter Jackson yesterday described the announcement as a “bold move” in the current economic climate.

The firm’s expansion will be led by partner and Master Mariner Tony Goldsmith, who will be joined by associate Andrew Lee. Further appointments of experienced lawyers will also be made from the local market.

Hill Dickinson employs more than 1,110 people worldwide, with 712 at the Liverpool headquarters.

Mr Jackson told LDP Legal: “It is a bold step to open a new office in the current economic market and this demonstrates our commitment to invest in the firm’s future.”

He added that the business model in Singapore will be based on the firm’s existing operation in Piraeus, in Greece. In addition to its St Peter’s Square, Liverpool HQ, Hill Dickinson runs offices in Manchester, Chester and London.

Mr Jackson said having staff “on the ground” in Singapore will “enable us to be on hand to attend casualties and urgent situations immediately”.

He continued: “Our presence in Singapore further reinforces the firm’s international connections and supports the City’s drive for increased global connectivity and inward investment internationally.

“We have many clients throughout Asia and there is a strong opportunity to build on business in this region.

“Having a full-service presence from Singapore puts us in a good, central location from which we can service much of Asia, and growth in this area is key to our business plans for 2009 and beyond.

“As a firm, we excel at marine and insurance work, and we know that our clients will derive a great benefit from our direct presence in what is one of the world’s busiest shipping locations.”

Mr Goldsmith is an experienced Master Mariner who sailed for more than a decade after first going to sea in 1978. He left shipping to study law in 1989 and was appointed a partner in 2001.

He has substantial experience of investigating and handling cases involving fires, explosions, collisions, groundings and strandings, drafting salvage and wreck removal contracts and advising on site during salvage operations.

He has been involved in investigating alleged sexual assaults on board passenger vessels; investigating and assisting in resolving issues arising from a fatal outbreak of Legionnaires disease onboard a cruise vessel; and investigating the circumstances surrounding the total loss of a roll-on-roll off ferry and the deaths of more than 1,000 passengers and crew.

benschofield