Tatham & Co

Overview

Tatham & Co is a City of London boutique firm specialising in shipping, maritime, offshore, marine insurance, trade and aviation disputes and advisory work. The firm positions itself as a high-end specialist practice with an international client base (P&I clubs, H&M underwriters, owners, charterers, traders, shipyards and oil majors), regularly acting in Commercial Court proceedings, Court of Appeal hearings and international arbitrations under LMAA, LCIA, GAFTA, FOSFA and ICC rules. Approximately 80% of the practice is contentious (litigation and arbitration) and 20% non-contentious; the firm emphasises hands-on, partner-led work, international reach (including a partner permanently based in Greece) and significant travel opportunities for fee-earners.

• Headquarters: London, 20 St Dunstan's Hill, EC3R 8HL (City of London)
• Lawyers: 16
• Partners: 6
• Trainees: 2
• Offices: 2

Values & Culture

Practice Areas

• Shipping & Maritime
• Insurance & Reinsurance
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Energy & Natural Resources
• Commercial Contracts
• International Arbitration
• Transport & Logistics

Geographic Focus: Strong focus on Europe (including a permanent partner in Greece and an Athens/Piraeus office), with established contacts in Scandinavian, Middle East and Far East markets. The firm pursues international litigation and arbitration work worldwide and is expanding its presence in French-speaking Europe and parts of Africa.

Training Contract

The firm offers a hands-on training contract where trainees are given early client contact and responsibility, working directly with partners across commercial litigation, admiralty, casualty response and insurance work.

• Trainee Intake: 2
• Academic Requirements: Applicants must have strong academics, strong research skills, good knowledge of contract law, attention to detail and an open 'can do' attitude; the firm requires completion of the SQE/LPC before joining and asks candidates to include details of all modules and marks in applications.
• Application Deadline: 2026-06-30

Seat Options

• Shipping & Maritime
• Insurance & Reinsurance
• Dispute Resolution & Litigation
• Energy & Natural Resources
• Commercial Contracts

Sponsorship

The firm covers the cost of SQE/LPC fees and offers a grant for trainees studying the SQE/LPC before joining.

SQE Support

The firm requires trainees to have completed the SQE/LPC before joining. The firm covers the cost of SQE/LPC fees and offers a grant for trainees studying the SQE/LPC before joining.

International Opportunities

Almost all work has an international element and the firm says there is a lot of opportunity for travel; one partner is permanently based in Greece and the firm operates an Athens/Piraeus office, providing exposure to Greek and wider European work. No formal secondment quotas or destination lists are published.

Mentorship

Trainees work directly with partners from an early stage and receive day-to-day supervision and client-facing responsibilities. The programme emphasises partner-led training rather than large-team supervision; no separate buddy or formal mentoring scheme is published.

Apply on the Tatham & Co website →

Notable Matters

What Tatham & Co Looks For

Key Competencies

• Strong academics
• Research skills
• Good knowledge of contract law
• Attention to detail
• Can-do attitude
• Commitment and enthusiasm
• Adaptability and willingness to learn
• Commercial litigation/arbitration capability
• Ability to build client relationships
• For associates: ambition, self-motivation, strong communication, leadership and mentoring skills

Evidence Signals

• Detailed module marks and academic transcript (CV should include modules undertaken and marks)
• Maritime/shipping sector experience (P&I, H&M, shipowners, chartering, shipbuilding)
• Experience in litigation or arbitration (Commercial Court, LMAA/LCIA/ICC)
• Previous work with P&I clubs, underwriters or traders
• Presenting at conferences or giving papers in maritime subjects

Benefits & Wellbeing

• Covers the cost of SQE/LPC fees for trainees
• Offers a grant for trainees studying the SQE/LPC before joining
• Opportunity for international travel and cross-border work
• Hands-on training with early client contact
• Flexible home working (noted as flexible for associates)

Awards & Recognition

• Law Society Small Law Firm of the Year Award (2021)

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Innovation

Quick Application Angles

• Emphasise maritime litigation/arbitration experience and commercial court or LMAA/LCIA case involvement — the firm is litigation-led and wants sector specialists.
• Reference the firm’s international focus (Athens/Piraeus presence and a partner based in Greece) and willingness to travel — demonstrate relevant international experience or language skills.
• In your covering letter state whether you are applying for the Autumn 2027 or Autumn 2028 intake and include module details and marks as requested; upload CV and a two-page covering letter to the email address specified before the 30 June 2026 deadline.
• Demonstrate familiarity with reported admiralty/collision cases (for example, the firm’s involvement in Afina/Kiveli) and relevant industry rules (Collision Regulations, York-Antwerp, LOF, Nordic Plan) to show sector knowledge and commercial awareness.