HFW
Overview
HFW is a global, sector‑focused law firm known for deep industry expertise in shipping & maritime, insurance & reinsurance, commodities, construction, energy and aerospace. The firm positions itself as entrepreneurial, creative and collaborative and operates an international network of specialist teams that advise on high-value cross-border transactions, regulatory matters and complex disputes. HFW has a strong reputation in shipping and commodities disputes and invests in industry-specific products (for example a bespoke online compliance training platform and sustainability litigation pledges) to support clients across the value chain.
- Headquarters: London, 8 Bishopsgate
- Lawyers: more than 700 lawyers globally
- Partners: 180
- Offices: 18
Values & Culture
Practice Areas
- Shipping & Maritime
- Insurance & Reinsurance
- Construction & Engineering
- Energy & Natural Resources
- Dispute Resolution & Litigation
- Corporate & M&A
- Transport & Logistics
- Regulatory & Compliance
- International Arbitration
- Technology & Digital
- Commercial Contracts
Geographic Focus: HFW has a strong presence in established shipping and trade hubs: London (global HQ), Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai, the Gulf (Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Riyadh), Australia (Melbourne, Sydney, Perth, Brisbane), continental Europe (Brussels, Geneva, Paris, Monaco, Piraeus), and the Americas (Houston, British Virgin Islands, Rio De Janeiro, Sao Paulo). The firm has emphasised continued growth in the Middle East (relocated Riyadh office, licensing in KSA and 22 partners/62 lawyers across Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ku
Training Contract
- Application Deadline: 2026-07-16
Programmes & Schemes
One‑day charity work experience hosted by HFW’s London office (29 July 2014) run with Robert Levy Foundation and JusB. Activities included CV writing, managing personal finance, video conference with Singapore office, career talks on law firm roles, interview tips and a CV competition with week‑long work experience prizes.
- Duration: 1 day
- Places: Over 40 young people participated (2014 event)
One‑day work experience run with Voice (10 April 2013) for vulnerable young people delivered by HFW volunteers from fee earners and business services. Sessions covered CV writing, managing personal finances, video conference with Dubai office, career diversity in a law firm and interview techniques. CV competition winners were offered a week’s work experience with the firm.
- Duration: 1 day
- Places: Over 30 young people participated (2013 event)
Online early careers enquiry form and contact route for prospective candidates to request information about vacation schemes, work experience and training opportunities. The firm operates an accessible early careers contact channel for enquiries and signposting to vacancies and events.
Notable Matters
HFW acted for Aurora Expeditions on the delivery of the purpose‑built expedition ship Douglas Mawson from China Merchants Heavy Industry. The multi‑jurisdictional team advised on financing arrangements and operational and structural matters, coordinating colleagues in Sydney, Shanghai and Hong Kong to complete the ship delivery and support the client’s fleet expansion into Antarctic, Arctic and small‑ship European cruises.
Shipping & Maritime
HFW acted for a Singapore‑headquartered AI company in a high‑stakes cross‑border dispute concerning allegations that proprietary data was used without authorisation to train advanced AI models. The matter raised novel issues at the intersection of technology, IP and liability and was led from the Singapore office as a precedent‑setting dispute with potential regional impact on AI training‑data rights and developer liability.
Technology & Digital
HFW secured a significant victory before the Singapore International Commercial Court in a landmark dispute concerning artificial intelligence software development and confidential digital design materials, representing a major regional IP/technology litigation success for the firm.
Intellectual Property
HFW advised Stolt‑Nielsen on a share purchase agreement to sell 50% of Avenir LNG to NYK Line to form a strategic joint venture, providing transactional and cross‑border advice to structure the strategic partnership.
Corporate & M&A
HFW acted for World Nexus Holdings Limited in its HK$95.15m acquisition of a majority stake in Thelloy Development Group Limited, handling transactional documentation and completion across Hong Kong law aspects.
Corporate & M&A
HFW advised Australian technology company CIM on its AU$10m Series A round, led by Five V Capital, supporting the client on the capital raising and growth plans into Asia and North America.
Corporate & M&A
Across multiple offices HFW’s shipbuilding, ship finance and marine transactional teams have advised on vessel newbuilds, sale & purchase, finance arrangements and sale/leaseback financing structures (example public items include newbuild deliveries, finance arrangements and cross‑border coordination between Asia and Australia offices).
Shipping & Maritime
What HFW Looks For
Key Competencies
- Commercial awareness (sector specific)
- Sector expertise or demonstrable interest in shipping, commodities, construction, energy or insurance
- International outlook and cross‑border experience
- Teamwork and collaborative working
- Resilience and adaptability
- Strong communication and client service skills
- Practical problem solving and an entrepreneurial mindset
Evidence Signals
- Relevant sector internships or work experience in shipping, commodities, aviation, energy or insurance
- International exposure (study abroad, internships, language skills or secondments)
- Pro bono, charity or community engagement (e.g., participating in clinics or pro bono projects)
- Demonstrable commercial projects or transactional experience (e.g., M&A, finance, commodity trading exposure)
- Technical or technology interest for disputes/AI/tech matters (for Technology & Digital work)
Benefits & Wellbeing
- Hybrid working (remote working options and ability to join meetings remotely)
- Employee Assistance Programme (face‑to‑face counselling for staff and household family members)
- Free resilience training for all staff
- 48 trained Mental Health First Aiders across the international network
- Mental Health Awareness training attended by more than 100 partners
- Part‑time and flexible roles available (examples on vacancies listing)
- Access to in‑house and client training via HFW’s online Risk & Regulatory Compliance training platform and bespoke mobile app
- Global 24/7 Major Incidents, Maritime and Cyber Emergency Response team
- Pro bono and charity opportunities (partnering with Mission to Seafarers, pro bono clinics in Singapore, piracy pro bono team)
Wellbeing
Firm has signed the Mindful Business Charter; 48 trained Mental Health First Aiders; free resilience training; Employee Assistance Programme providing face‑to‑face counselling; initiatives to promote mindful collaboration and respect for rest periods.
Awards & Recognition
- ESG Firm of the Year, Asia Legal Awards 2023
- Legal 500 EMEA — recognised as a leading firm (2026 edition)
- Ranked among market leaders in Chambers Global 2026
- GAR 100 — ranked as a market leader among global international arbitration firms (2026)
- Law Firm of the Year, European & UK Captive Services Awards (2017)
- Law Firm of the Year, UK Captive Services Awards (2017)
- Lloyd’s List Global Awards — Corporate Social Responsibility Award (2015)
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
HFW has made public commitments by signing the Mindful Business Charter and industry pledges (Greener Litigation Pledge, Greener Arbitration Pledge, Yacht Industry D&I Pledge) and participates in programs to increase access to justice via pro bono clinics and charity partnerships. HFW has also appointed a Sustainability Partner and integrates responsible business aims into procurement and firm activity.
- Mindful Business Charter (signed)
- Yacht Industry Diversity and Inclusion Pledge (signed)
- Greener Litigation Pledge (launched by HFW)
- Greener Arbitration Pledge (steering committee membership)
- Gender equality in arbitration pledge (signatory)
- Mission to Seafarers charity partnership
- Pro bono legal clinics in Singapore (anchor firm for Law Society Pro Bono Services)
- Mental Health First Aiders network (48 trained across the firm)
Pro Bono
HFW operates structured pro bono activity: anchor firm for Law Society Pro Bono Services in Singapore (monthly clinics), long‑running marine piracy pro bono team recognised with awards for securing release of seafarers, extended partnership with The Mission to Seafarers (providing governance and pro bono advice across jurisdictions), and regular charity work experience days with youth organisations (Robert Levy Foundation, JusB, Voice).
Innovation
HFW develops client‑facing legal technology and alternative service offerings: the firm launched an online compliance training platform and mobile app with Olive Learning (initial GDPR courses; learning management system to track progress), piloted internal GDPR training for lawyers and maintains a Global Strategy Board to incubate non‑traditional legal products. The firm also engages with sustainability‑focused process change in dispute resolution (Greener Litigation Pledge) and applies technology and cross‑jurisdictional coordination in major incidents and arbitration work.
- Online Risk & Regulatory Compliance training platform (in partnership with Olive Learning)
- Bespoke mobile app for compliance training (Olive Learning partnership)
- HFW Global Strategy Board initiative to develop alternative business offerings
- Greener Litigation Pledge and involvement in greener arbitration steering committee
Quick Application Angles
- Lead with sector experience — highlight concrete shipping, commodities, insurance or construction work (or coursework) and connect it to client outcomes; HFW is sector‑led and values applied commercial experience.
- Mention cross‑border and international exposure — the firm operates hubs in London, Singapore, Hong Kong, Dubai, Australia and the Middle East so emphasise languages, placements or secondments abroad.
- If applying for disputes or tech work, reference HFW’s recent AI and IP matters in Singapore and the firm’s litigation success to show commercial litigation experience is relevant.
- Demonstrate commitment to responsible business and wellbeing — cite pro bono involvement, sustainability or mental health activity (HFW runs pro bono clinics, a piracy pro bono team and has signed the Mindful Business Charter).
- Show commercial curiosity about client challenges (for example ESG/climate carbon market projects or maritime regulatory change) — the firm runs sustainability initiatives and has advised on voluntary carbon products and conservation projects.
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