Holman Fenwick Willan

HFW (Holman Fenwick Willan) is a modern, dynamic international law firm whose history goes back more than 140 years, with roots in the Holman family of sailing-ship owners in Topsham, England. The firm traces its origin to 1883, when Frank Holman set up in practice as a solicitor at 23 St. Mary Axe in the City of London. Today HFW describes itself as a global law firm with deep, sector-focused expertise and a team of over 700 lawyers worldwide, offering sector-focused legal expertise shaped by international commerce. Its offices include London, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Kuwait, Brussels, Geneva, Monaco, Hong Kong, Brisbane, Melbourne, Houston and the British Virgin Islands. Its corporate practice advises on M&A, joint ventures, reorganisations and restructurings, capital markets offerings and commercial transactions across sectors such as aerospace, commodities, energy and resources, insurance and financial services, logistics, ports and terminals, projects and construction, and shipping.

HFW's roots date back to the start of the nineteenth century and the Holmans, a family of sailing-ship owners in Topsham, a historic port town in the south of England. In 1832, the Holman family established the West of England Marine Insurance Association, a mutual hull insurance organisation, and six years later they formed The Exeter Shipping Insurance Association on a similar basis. This was followed in 1855 by The Shipowners' Protection Association – one of the world's first shipping protection clubs – and in 1870 by The West of England Steamship Owners' P&I Association Ltd, a club dedicated to steamships. In 1873, to improve links and communication with the shipping and insurance markets, the managers, John Holman & Sons, moved their business to Lime Street, London. From there, they took a further step when, in 1883, Frank Holman, one of four brothers in the management company, set up in practice as a solicitor at 23 St. Mary Axe in the City of London. This was the origin of HFW. Within two years, Frank Holman had joined with G.C. Downing and J.J. Handcock to form Downing & Holman. There were several changes in the partnership over the following decade, during which period Downing and Handcock left and the firm moved three times, ending up back at Lime Street. The firm was then named Holman, Birdwood & Co. In 1899, Cecil Holman and E.A. Fenwick joined, followed in 1905 by W.C. Willan, their surnames providing the initials that remain the firm's name to this day. In 1908, the firm moved from Lime Street to No. 1 Lloyds Avenue, and in 1916, when F.T. Birdwood left the partnership, the firm's name was changed to Holman Fenwick & Wi…

A global law firm with deep, sector-focused expertise.

Product categories. Corporate legal services · M&A advice · Joint ventures advice · Restructuring advice · Capital markets offerings advice · Commercial transactions advice

• 2021.07.23

  HFW launches global sustainability challenge[5]HFW推出全球可持续发展挑战hellenicshippingnews.com

  HFW launched a global sustainability challenge using software that lets colleagues record climate-positive lifestyle changes and measure their carbon-footprint impact. The challenge is set to run for 12 months.

• 2021.04.15

  Reported2021.04.14

  HFW appoints its first sustainability partner[6]HFW任命首位可持续发展合伙人lawyersweekly.com.au

  HFW appointed Giles Kavanagh as its first sustainability partner.

• 2020.07.01

  Reported2020.07.01

  HFW, KPMG and Augusta Ventures launch Covid-19 dispute funding service[7]HFW、KPMG与Augusta Ventures推出新冠争议融资服务globallegalpost.com

  HFW teamed up with KPMG and Augusta Ventures to offer clients a fast-track Covid-19 dispute funding service combining financing, legal advice, forensic accounting, asset tracking, and enforcement measures.

Read more

1. 1HFW | Global Sector-Focused Law Firmhfw.com
2. 2Our story | About us | HFWhfw.com
3. 3HFW | Locations | Global Sector-Focused Law Firmhfw.com
4. 4Corporate Lawyers for Complex Global Transactions | HFWhfw.com
5. 5HFW推出全球可持续发展挑战hellenicshippingnews.com
6. 6HFW任命首位可持续发展合伙人lawyersweekly.com.au
7. 7HFW、KPMG与Augusta Ventures推出新冠争议融资服务globallegalpost.com