Watson Farley & Williams LLP
Client SatisfactionWith a strong presence in major ship finance hubs, the Paris-based global shipping practice at Watson Farley & Williams LLP maintains its leading position in the field. The practice advises owners, operators, and major financial institutions on a wide range of complex, high-value, multijurisdictional ship finance transactions. Co-heading the team are Alexia Russell, a specialist in asset finance, leasing, and project finance; and Laurence Martinez-Bellet, an expert in cross-border transactions, as well as ECA and DFI-backed transactions involving JVs and debt or equity investment funds. The practice also benefits from the expertise of Philippe Monfort, who focuses on transport asset finance, and Isabella Roberts, a maritime specialist with extensive experience in multi-jurisdictional finance transactions, earning her the reputation as a ‘golden bridge across cultures’.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'WFW Paris is the place to go in the European market for shipping finance deals.'
- 'Alexia Russell and Isabella Roberts are rising stars: not just skilled English solicitors but also golden bridges across cultures.'
Key clients
- BNP Paribas
- Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank
- Société Générale
Work highlights
- Advising Société Générale on the financing and delivery of LNG vessel “Lech Kaczyński” built by Hyundai Heavy Industry Co., Ltd and bareboat chartered to an affiliate of Knutsen.
- Advising Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank on a multi-tranche term loan syndicated facility made available to the FINAV Holding Group to finance young eco or super-eco MR product tankers.
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Alexia Russell, Laurence Martinez-Bellet