Holman Fenwick Willan
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Legal services |
| Founded | 1883 |
| Headquarters | London , United Kingdom |
Area served | Americas, Europe, Asia, Australia, Middle East |
| Products | Legal services in aerospace, commodities, construction, energy and resources, insurance and reinsurance, shipping |
Number of employees | 600+ |
| Website | https://www.hfw.com |
HFW is an international law firm with a sector-driven focus, catering to clients in aerospace, commodities, construction, energy and natural resources, insurance and reinsurance, as well as shipping. Established in 1883, the firm employs more than 600 attorneys, including 170 partners, operating from 20 offices spread across the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Australia.
History
Since its inception in 1883 with a specialization in maritime law, HFW has broadened its expertise to encompass six primary sectors: aerospace, commodities, construction, energy and resources, insurance and reinsurance, and shipping. In June 2017, the firm transitioned its brand identity from Holman Fenwick Willan to simply HFW.
HFW was a pioneer among London-based firms in expanding internationally, inaugurating its first foreign office in Paris in 1977 followed by Hong Kong in 1978. The firm continued its global growth by establishing offices in Singapore (1990), Piraeus (1993), Shanghai (1999), as well as entering Australia and the Middle East markets in 2006. Additional expansions included Sydney (2009), Perth (2011), Brussels (2009), Geneva (2010), and São Paulo (2011).
In June 2016, HFW became only the second international law firm to formalize an association with a Chinese firm under the regulatory framework of the Shanghai Free Trade Zone.
A major strategic development occurred in January 2017 when HFW completed a fully integrated merger with the US-based firm Legge, Farrow, Kimmitt, McGrath & Brown—setting itself apart from the common Swiss Verein structure typically used by transatlantic mergers.
The firm's presence in Latin America was further strengthened in June 2018 through a cooperation agreement with Brazilian law firm Costa, Albino & Lasalvia (CAL).
In October 2018, HFW established an office in Abu Dhabi by recruiting two partners from Reed Smith. This move positioned HFW among the largest international law firms operating in the Middle East region, boasting 19 partners and over 50 lawyers—including 28 fluent Arabic speakers—across four regional offices. The firm also maintains locations in Riyadh and Kuwait City.
August 2019 marked HFW’s entry into the Monaco market through the acquisition of a leading practice group from Ince Gordon Dadds.
Core sectors and services
HFW distinguishes itself within the global legal market through its sector-centric model, aligning all aspects of its practice—including legal services, corporate social responsibility initiatives, and pro bono efforts—around six key global industries:
Sectors
- Aerospace
- Commodities
- Construction
- Energy and Resources
- Insurance and Reinsurance
- Shipping
The firm delivers an extensive portfolio of legal services:
Services
- Dispute Resolution
- Corporate Law
- Finance
- EU, Competition and Regulatory Matters
- Fraud and Insolvency
- International Trade Regulation
- Commercial Law
- Cybersecurity
- Data Protection
- Digital Trade
- Employment Law
- Financial Institutions
- Financial Services Regulation
- Government Services
- Logistics
- Mining Sector Legal Support
- Oil and Gas Industry Services
- Ports and Terminals Advisory
- Project Development
HFW operates one of the most substantial and dynamic dispute resolution practices globally, with expertise spanning litigation, international arbitration, and alternative dispute resolution mechanisms. It ranked as the most active law firm within the English Commercial Court during both 2017 and 2018 and led arbitration-related litigation during that period. Additionally, HFW is a key legal advisor for numerous FTSE 100 companies on contentious matters.
Awards and recognition
In 2019, HFW was listed in the Social Mobility Employer Index, which highlights UK-based organizations promoting social mobility. The firm had previously been included in this index by the Social Mobility Foundation in both 2017 and 2018.
Offices
HFW maintains a network of 20 offices spanning Europe, the Middle East, the Americas, Asia, and Australia. These locations include London, Paris, Monaco, Hong Kong, Singapore, Piraeus, Shanghai, Melbourne, Dubai, Sydney, Brussels, Geneva, Perth, São Paulo, Kuwait, Riyadh, Houston, Jakarta, Rio de Janeiro, and Abu Dhabi.