Watson Farley & Williams LLP

Christian Finnern

Christian acts for owners, managers and charterers of all types of vessels. He also acts for investors and a broad range of other market participants in the maritime industry. He advises in relation to shipbuilding, the sale and purchase of second-hand tonnage, all flag and registration matters as well as on the employment, operation and management of ships. Another strong focus of his practice is in investments, joint ventures and M&A transactions in the maritime sector. He also represents parties in insolvency and enforcement proceedings, including advising insolvency administrators on shipping-related issues, as well as on contentious matters. Furthermore, Christian has broad experience in advising international and domestic clients on all aspects of ship finance. This includes advice in respect of leasing transactions, complex syndicated financing structures, high profile restructurings as well as warehouse and platform solutions. Christian’s advice to ship owners and other shipping companies is noted in legal directory JUVE Handbuch. He has been recognised by legal directory Legal 500 EMEA for his “strong industry knowledge, pragmatic approach and good results” and his “goal-oriented” leadership of the Maritime Service practice group, which focuses on investments, joint ventures and M&A transactions. Furthermore, it says that Christian has “a distinct sense for transaction dynamics as well as excellent shipping know-how and is very well connected”. Christian is also recognised by Legal 500 Germany and Legal 500 EMEA as a leading name in Maritime Law and is praised for his “rapid analysis”, for being “always and immediately available” as well as for being “very helpful and responsive, flexible and unbureaucratic”.

Clemens Hillmer

Clemens has broad experience advising on domestic and international financings and leasing transactions for German and international banks, leasing companies and investors. His expertise is also regularly sought on the sale of performing and non-performing loans as well as the restructuring of finance transactions.

Felix Siebler

Felix’s main areas of expertise are public commercial, procurement and state aid law, where he specialises in procurement, infrastructure and technology projects with a focus on social infrastructure, transport, energy and telecommunications. He has extensive experience in the public sector, having advised on several of Germany’s recent flagship projects. Felix advises on tendering (construction, supply and services) and competitive procedures (concessions, investor selection and privatisations), as well as drafting service contracts and conducting negotiations. He represents clients in review proceedings and disputes. In addition, he advises on the restructuring of public organisations and on securing project financing. Felix’s clients include ministries, local authorities, municipalities, public and private companies, banks and investors. He is a lecturer in public procurement law at Bavaria’s University of Public Service and speaks regularly on topics related to infrastructure, digitilisation and procurement.

Nikolaus Krienke

Nikolaus advises national and international companies on individual and collective employment law and represents clients in employment litigation. He specialises in works council and trade union-related matters, management employment contracts as well as transactions and restructurings. Furthermore, he reviews and drafts contractual employment provisions in M&A transactions. Nikolaus is a lecturer at the Bucerius Law School, Hamburg.

Thomas Hollenhorst

Thomas has extensive experience in a wide range of banking and finance-related matters. He specialises in advising banks, investors and developers on the financing of energy and infrastructure projects in Germany, Europe, the Americas and Asia. He has particular expertise in the renewables sector. He also advises on other financings, including ECA and general trade financing, capital market transactions and restructurings in various asset classes. Furthermore, he advises banks, asset managers and other financial services firms on general banking matters including banking regulatory law. Thomas acts as a litigator and mediator from time to time.

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