HFW continues Paris office, international construction growth with Partner hire

Global, sector-focused law firm HFW has continued the growth of its Paris office and its international Construction practice with the hire of Erwan Robert.

Erwan specialises in construction disputes and international arbitration, advising contractors and other project participants across the infrastructure, energy, transport, utilities, mining, and industrial sectors. He joins HFW as a Partner from Reed Smith.

HFW has now added five Partners in Paris over the past seven months, with Erwan following the arrival of shipping Partner Anisha Franklin, public law Partner Rémi Ducloyer, commercial disputes and regulatory investigations Partner Louis-Alexis Bret, and bankruptcy, insolvency, and restructuring Partner Arnaud Pédron.

His arrival also continues the growth of HFW’s global Construction practice, following the firm’s launch in Brisbane with a team led by Christopher Rowden, the hire of Simon Bellas in Singapore, and the internal promotion of Tanya Chadha in London.

HFW’s global Construction team comprises 20 Partners and around 80 lawyers in total advising contractors and other parties on procurement, risk management, and disputes across the full project lifecycle.

Michael Sergeant, Global Head of Construction, HFW:

“Erwan has a strong track record in construction arbitration and disputes, particularly for French contractors working on major international projects. He is one of the few lawyers with the skills and experience to advise on complex construction matters involving French law and Francophone jurisdictions, and has an outstanding reputation with clients.”

Jean-Marc Zampa, Paris Office Head, HFW:

“Erwan brings strong technical expertise, a valuable French-law construction disputes capability, and a practice that complements our established construction insurance and project disputes offering in Paris. His arrival reflects our continued growth in Paris and our ambition to further strengthen the support we provide to clients on major projects and disputes.”

Erwan has more than a decade’s experience of complex, high-value construction disputes and international arbitration, advising French and international clients on complex infrastructure and energy matters, including projects governed by French law and matters across Francophone Africa. He also brings strong experience in project advisory and claims management work.

He is a lecturer at Université Paris-Panthéon-Assas and is Paris co-chair of legal industry non-profit Law Rocks.

Erwan Robert, Partner, HFW:

“HFW has an outstanding reputation in the construction sector, a strong international platform, and a clear commitment to further developing its offering in France and around the world. HFW’s sector focus and cross-practice strengths make it a very compelling platform, and I am excited to join the firm and to work with colleagues across the network to support clients on both French and international matters.”

HFW has been in Paris since 1977 and now has more than 50 lawyers advising on maritime and air transportation issues, insurance and reinsurance, industrial risks, infrastructure and construction, energy, international trade, and commodities, as well as commercial disputes, corporate, finance, and private equity.