CJC has announced four internal promotions at its London office, as well as five external hires across London and Singapore, as part of a growth strategy focused on supporting career progression and developing the next generation of maritime legal talent.

The promotions see recently qualified solicitor Dimitris Kroustallis step into an associate role, while Simran Keightley, Edward Harris and Jeong-Sook Kim are promoted to senior associate positions.

Advising banks, financial institutions and ship-owners on all aspects of loan and security documentation within the maritime sector, Simran is also an experienced member of CJC’s sanctions team, where she guides clients on compliance issues.

Edward draws on his marine background and experience as an international dispute resolution lawyer to serve international clients in commercial and maritime matters covering protection and indemnity (P&I) and FD&D in marine insurance.

Jeong-Sook has maritime experience as a broker and underwriting director, and advises owners, charterers, P&I clubs, and insurers on a variety of contentious matters including contractual disputes arising under charterparties, bills of lading and insurance policies. 

The litigation team in London has further been strengthened by the recruitment of senior associate Alexander Ferrigno and two new mariners, Captain Amarinder Singh Brar and Hamish Smithers.

Alexander specialises in dry shipping litigation. He acts for charterers, shipowners and P&I Clubs in a range of FD&D and P&I disputes in various arbitration forums and in the High Court.

Amarinder is a highly experienced Master Mariner and maritime law specialist, contributing three decades of operational, regulatory, and technical expertise to our firm's casualty and dispute resolution team. He has practical seagoing experience on various vessel types over seventeen years at sea (including six in command), as well as having worked in various roles on shore.  Hamish joins having undertaken legal studies after coming ashore. He previously spent 12 years at sea, having most recently worked as an officer on super yachts.

Joining the London office as trainee solicitors are Benjamin Stonehouse, Evangelos Williams, and Aidan Ho.

Benjamin holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Warwick and has previously served at a specialist P&I broker and leading fixed-premium P&I insurer. With a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, Evangelos is working towards qualification through the SQE route. Aidan graduated with an LLB from University College London and has completed the Legal Practice Course at the University of Law.

Elsewhere, Adam Ho has joined the Singapore office as an associate, bringing experience in shipping and commodities disputes spanning Singapore court proceedings and various international arbitral institutions. Admitted to the Singapore Bar in 2023, Adam has appeared before the Singapore High Court and Court of Appeal.