London-headquartered law firm Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) has elected George Paleokrassas as its senior partner.
The move is part of a change to the leadership and governance structure that has also involved partner Lindsey Keeble being appointed managing partner.
The two will serve five-year terms starting in February.
The shake-up means the end of the previous practice of having joint managing partners.
The company lists Chris Lowe and Lothar Wegener as managing partners currently.
Global maritime co-head Paleokrassas, currently a partner, has led the firm's Athens office since 2005, building the practice to make it the largest international law firm in Greece and in the top five overall, WFW said.
He is universally recognised as one of the leading lawyers in the maritime sector both in Greece and internationally, and is the only lawyer listed in top legal directory Chambers & Partners' elite "eminent practitioner" category for shipping finance in Greece, the law firm added.
An expanding team
Keeble heads WFW's London assets and structured finance group, covering aviation, maritime and rail.
This team has grown to 27 partners.
Keeble has also led WFW's global maritime unit since 2013, and jointly with Paleokrassas since 2020.
"Lindsey is recognised as one of the world's best maritime lawyers," WFW added.
Paleokrassas said he is deeply honoured that his fellow partners have elected him.
"Lindsey and I have worked very closely together for many years and I look forward to continuing to do so in our new roles. Having spent our careers at WFW, we are both committed to the firm’s sector strategy and are passionate about creating an ever more sustainable business in a rapidly changing world," he added.
In September, WFW said the Greek lawyer helped put together the $291m debt package for Navios Maritime Partners as part of its takeover of sister company Navios Maritime Acquisition.
The team advised lenders in connection with financing that helped tackle Navios Acquisition's 8.125% ship mortgage notes that fell due in November.
The law firm revealed that Germany's Hamburg Commercial Bank and Alpha Bank of Greece provided $195m, while France's BNP Paribas and Credit Agricole added in $96m.
Keeble said: "George and I both recognise the immense responsibility of our new positions and of ensuring the continued strength and longevity of the business, where our people have the chance to develop, express their views and ideas and have the opportunity to grow and ultimately see their careers fulfilled within the firm."
WFW chairman Nigel Thomas said the move was a particularly exciting development as the firm moves into its 40th year.
