HFW Recognised in Chambers Asia-Pacific 2025

Global, sector-focused law firm HFW has once again been recognised as a leading firm in the Chambers Asia-Pacific Guide 2025, which ranks top lawyers and law firms across the region.

HFW achieved 31 practice and lawyer rankings, including maintaining its Band 1 rankings for Shipping in Australia and Shipping Litigation in Singapore and the Asia Pacific region. The firm also maintained its Band 1 ranking for Climate Change in Asia Pacific.

Three of the firm’s partners – Gavin Vallely in Melbourne and Chris Metcalf and Peter Zaman in Singapore – also received Band 1 rankings in their respective practice areas. Singapore partner Kate Seaton was elevated from Band 3 to Band 2 for her work in Insurance and partner James Jordan, also in the firm’s Insurance team in Singapore, achieved a new ‘Up and Coming’ ranking.

HFW’s strong sector focus is reflected in client testimonials within the directory: “HFW has significant industry experience, and provides proactive support and guidance, harbouring authentic and trusted relationships.”

Several clients also commented on the firm’s commerciality:

“HFW is able to provide realistic risk assessment and usually impresses us by giving innovative recommendations in tackling intricate legal and commercial issues in various commercial transactions.”

“They are very aware of the commercial landscape, and the multiple parameters that one has to juggle with.”

Clients also commented on the firm’s advice and responsiveness:

“HFW offers very productive advice on complex deals. We rate them highly for their responsiveness.”

“They were extremely prompt in providing advice and the opinions were well thought out and succinctly expressed.”

Another client stated: “HFW is extremely competent at handling all manner of complex matters. It is an experienced and dedicated team.”

HFW practices ranked Band 1:

• Climate Change, Asia Pacific
• Shipping, Australia
• Shipping: Litigation, Asia Pacific
• Shipping: Litigation, Singapore

HFW lawyers ranked in Band 1:

• Chris Metcalf, Shipping International: Litigation, Singapore
• Gavin Vallely, Shipping, Australia
• Peter Zaman, Climate Change, Asia-Pacific

Other individual lawyer rankings:

• Jo Delaney, Dispute Resolution: Arbitration, Australia – Band 2
• John Forrester, Shipping International: Finance, Singapore – Band 2
• James Jordan, Insurance, Singapore – Up and Coming
• Richard Jowett, Insurance, Australia – Band 2
• Ling Lui, Aviation: Finance, Singapore – Band 3 and Aviation: Finance, Asia Pacific- Band 4
• Mark Sant, Employment NSW, Australia – Band 3
• Kate Seaton, Insurance, Singapore – Band 2
• Simon Shaddick, Shipping, Australia – Band 3
• Justin Sun, Aviation: Finance, Asia-Pacific – Band 4
• Maurice Thompson, Shipping, Australia – Band 2 and International Trade/WTO, Australia – Band 2
• Stephen Thompson, Shipping, Australia – Band 2
• Toby Stephens, Shipping International: Litigation, Singapore – Band 2
• Siri Wennevik, Shipping International: Finance, Singapore – Band 3

The Chambers rankings are based on a combination of research and client feedback, with assessments made on technical legal ability, professional conduct, client service, commercial astuteness, diligence and commitment.

HFW’s full rankings in the Chambers Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 can be found here.