HFW achieves top-tier rankings in The Legal 500 2026 Asia Pacific Guide

Global, sector-focused law firm HFW has once again been recognised as a leading firm in the 2026 edition of The Legal 500 Asia Pacific, which identifies the top lawyers and law firms in Australia and Singapore.

HFW achieved 12 practice rankings in the Guide – including six in Tier 1 or Tier 2 – for a diverse range of areas including arbitration, asset finance, insurance and shipping. 

The firm maintained its Tier 1 ranking in Transport: Shipping in Australia, as well as its Tier 1 rankings in Shipping: Foreign Firms and Insurance: Foreign Firms in Singapore. 

HFW improved its ranking in International Arbitration in Singapore and achieved a new ranking in Australia – being named a ‘Firm to Watch’ in Transportation: Aviation.

The firm had two lawyers ranked in the ‘Hall of Fame’ and seven lawyers ranked as ‘Leading Partners’.

Client testimonials in the Guide describe HFW’s lawyers as “very experienced and reliable” with “excellent technical skills” and “a great understanding of the commercial realities of legal decision making”.

Additional client feedback in the Guide included:

• HFW has a “deep understanding of the litigation related issues and excellent effeciency”

• “They provide sensible advice that considers the value of the transaction or dispute. There is a distinct effort to understand the commercial drivers of the business to provide tailored advice and support.”

HFW’s Australia rankings:

• Transport: Shipping – Tier 1
• Insurance – Tier 2
• Dispute Resolution: Arbitration – Tier 2
• Energy (Transaction & Regulatory) – Tier 5
• Labour and Employment – Tier 4
• Dispute Resolution: Litigation – Tier 4
• Infrastructure Projects and Construction – Tier 5
• Transport: Aviation – Firm to Watch

HFW’s Singapore rankings:

• Insurance: Foreign Firms – Tier 1
• Shipping: Foreign Firms – Tier 1
• Asset Finance – Tier 2
• International Arbitration – Tier 3

‘Hall of Fame’ Lawyers:

• Maurice Thompson – Transport: Shipping, Australia
• Gavin Vallely – Transport: Shipping, Australia

Leading Partners:

• John Forrester – Asset Finance, Singapore; and Shipping: Foreign Firms, Singapore
• Richard Jowett – Insurance, Australia
• Ling Lui – Asset Finance, Singapore
• Brendan McCashin – Insurance, Australia
• Dan Perera – International Arbitration, Singapore
• Kate Seaton – Insurance, Singapore
• Toby Stephens – Shipping: Foreign Firms, Singapore