Squire Patton Boggs continues the expansion of its commodities and shipping capabilities with the appointment of partner Robert Parson into its Financial Services Practice in London. He joins the firm from Clyde & Co, where he was head of the Trade and Commodity Finance team, along with senior associates Geraldine Butac and Jennifer Greengrass who specialise in trade and ship finance.
Mr. Parson has more than 30 years’ experience in commodities and trade finance law, with a practice focused on structuring deals and complex cross-border financing arrangements for banks, traders, exporters and other participants in the global trade market. He has advised on the default and restructuring of complex, cross-border trade financings and payment instruments and also on credit issues in landmark letter-of-credit cases in the English courts. He is also highly regarded in the increasingly important digital trade sector.
He is the latest partner to join the firm’s Financial Services Practice in London, with the recent arrival of Steven Ward to launch a new Funds Practice and real estate finance specialist Jonathan Lent.
Mr. Parson is also the newest addition to the Commodity and Shipping Industry Group, following D. Michael Kaye who joined the firm in Washington DC in June, and Kate Sherrard and team who joined the Singapore office in January.
“Robert is one of the leading trade finance lawyers in Europe with a track record in advising on some of the most significant and innovative trade and commodity finance transactions,” said Jonathan Jones, European Managing Partner at Squire Patton Boggs. The depth of knowledge and connections that Robert and his team bring presents exciting synergies in key areas of our business, whilst giving us access to new clients. We are delighted to have them join us.”
Chris Swart, co-head of the firm’s Commodity and Shipping Industry Group, commented: “A renowned specialist in this field, Robert and his team will strengthen our commodities and trade finance capability in Europe, enhancing our global services to clients. They are an important strategic acquisition for our Group, which continues to go from strength to strength.”
Jessica Kenworthy, who started the firm’s trade finance practice from Singapore, commented: “Robert is someone we know well and rate highly. Working closely with our existing trade finance practice and Kate Sherrard’s ship finance team in Singapore, we look forward to Robert and his team assisting our clients with even greater bench strength in a key jurisdiction.”
“Robert’s practice fits well with our strategy to increase cross border instructions and work from alternative capital sources,” added Paula Laird, leader of the Financial Services Practice in EMEA. “As the trade and commodity financing market has gradually leaned away from using only traditional bank debt finance structures, Robert has developed a strong practice working with non-bank financiers, fin-techs and funds. His work in the energy sector and experience in Africa, the Middle East and Asia also dovetails with that of our team.”
“Squire Patton Boggs’ growing commodities and shipping platform and collegial culture, combined with the opportunity to rejoin former colleagues, attracted me and my team to the firm,” said Mr. Parson. “I am very much looking forward to playing a part in its continuing success.”