Haynes and Boone’s London office includes multiple practices and lawyers ranked among the best in the legal industry in the 2023 edition of the Chambers UK legal directory, published by Chambers and Partners.
Chambers UK 2023 ranked three firm practices: Banking & Finance: Fund Finance (London Firms); Banking & Finance: Lenders: Lower Mid-Market (London Firms); and Shipping – UK-wide.
The directory also recognized seven lawyers: Partners William Cecil, Mark Johnson, Emma Russell, Andreas Silcher, Melanie Willems, Counsel Emily Fuller and Senior Counsel Simon Curtis.
Read more about the rankings below.
Banking & Finance: Fund Finance (Band 2, London)
Chambers UK said the well-regarded London team “has a depth of experience in matters concerning the USA and Europe,” sharing the following comments from clients:
• "The team at Haynes and Boone are very experienced and understand the complexities of the fund finance market."
• "They are well-staffed, fully and constantly reactive."
Emma Russell, head of the firm's London Finance Practice Group, was ranked Band 2 in Banking & Finance: Fund Finance. “She is a well-recognised fund finance practitioner who is highlighted for her domestic and cross-border capabilities,” Chambers UK stated.
Clients noted her ability to bring “demystified commercial advice on how to get through complex legal situations" and “Emma is one of the best fund finance partners in the market."
Emily Fuller was listed as Up and Coming - Banking & Finance: Fund Finance - London (Firms). Emily “advises on matters across the fund finance space. She typically acts for financial institutions including banks and private equity firms,” Chambers UK stated.
Clients commented that "Emily is fantastic, very hard-working and technically excellent; she is a lovely lawyer to work with" and "she is great to work with, very knowledgeable and responsive."
Banking & Finance: Lenders: Lower Mid-Market (Band 2, London Firms)
Clients shared the following comments:
• "Haynes and Boone get through issues in a businesslike and relationship-friendly way."
Shipping UK-wide (Band 4, UK-wide)
Chambers UK said the firm’s noted practice focuses on the shipbuilding and offshore energy sectors and offers formidable [counsel] in contentious matters.
Clients provided the following comments:
• "Haynes and Boone help us navigate complicated matters, and they provide their advice and deliverables in such a comprehensive and timely way that we are able to be proactive ourselves."
• "The firm have very deep knowledge of all LNG aspects, including good understanding of complicated technical matters."
• "The team is very experienced, with an in-depth knowledge of procedure and requirements."
Chambers UK ranked Simon Curtis, William Cecil, Andreas Silcher, and Mark Johnson as leaders in Shipping.
As managing partner of the London office, William was praised for helping clients with litigation and arbitration, including disputes relating to shipbuilding contracts. “He is experienced in oil and gas-related mandates,” Chambers UK stated.
Clients commented that "William Cecil is excellent lawyer with a strong knowledge of English law and the prevailing shipping market," and "Will is very responsive, practical and knowledgeable on a broad range of matters."
Chambers UK said Andreas has gained a reputation for acting on behalf of international shipping companies on a range of commercial matters, adding: “He advises on significant projects in the LNG space.”
Clients commented that Andreas “is an excellent professional with great attention to detail. He has high commercial orientation and deep knowledge of the LNG fundamentals," and he "has an extensive ability to summarise key content."
Chambers UK said Mark offers experience across a breadth of shipping issues such as sale and purchase, shipbuilding and FPSO platforms, and said he frequently acts for clients on large-value deals across multiple jurisdictions.
Clients commented that "Mark is very responsive and thorough, very aware of commercial elements, and has an excellent depth and breadth of knowledge" and "he has a professional approach; he is very willing to understand commercial and operational stresses with legal frameworks."
Simon was listed as a Senior Statesperson and praised by Chambers UK as “a renowned practitioner in the shipbuilding sphere, often acting for clients in the LNG industry.”
International Arbitration
Melanie Willems, chair of the International Arbitration Practice Group in the firm’s London office, was ranked among the leading lawyers in International Arbitration (UK-wide). Chambers UK stated that Melanie has significant experience in handling commercial arbitration and said, “She is particularly adept at tackling complex claims for clients in the energy and hospitality sector.”
Clients offered the following praise: "Melanie is always very clear and direct in her advice," and "her dedication and commitment is applaudable."
Chambers UK is carefully researched and widely considered to be the most reputable law firm directory in the world. Its rankings are based on thousands of interviews with leading practitioners and clients from coast to coast. Ranking criteria include technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial astuteness, diligence, commitment, and other qualities most valued by legal clients.
Haynes and Boone, LLP is an international corporate law firm with offices in Texas, New York, California, Charlotte, Chicago, Denver, Washington, D.C., London, Mexico City and Shanghai, providing a full spectrum of legal services in energy, technology, financial services and private equity. With 600 lawyers, Haynes Boone is ranked among the largest U.S.-based firms by The National Law Journal, The American Lawyer and The Lawyer. It was recognized for excellence in the BTI Consulting Group’s 2021 “A-Team” report, which identifies the law firms that in-house counsel commend for providing superior client service.
