HFW makes key APAC appointment

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Posted by David Sexton
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6, August, 2025
PROMINENT maritime-focused law firm HFW has announced the appointment of a leading shipping litigation and international arbitration partner for its Melbourne office.
Elizabeth Sloane joins HFW from Stephenson Harwood having spent nine years growing its shipping disputes practice in Hong Kong.
She previously worked at HFW in Hong Kong between 2008 and 2016. She specialises in maritime law, international trade and transport, cross border fraud and asset tracing and enforcement.
HFW global head of shipping Paul Dean said they were “delighted to welcome Elizabeth back home to HFW”.
“She is a highly skilled practitioner with extensive experience across all facets of the shipping and maritime industry,” Mr Dean said.
“As well as developing a practice in Melbourne alongside our existing team of maritime experts, Elizabeth will maintain her practice in Hong Kong and will also support our clients in Singapore and across Asia Pacific.”
HFW managing partner Gavin Vallely said Ms Sloane was “a terrific addition to our Asia Pacific shipping and commercial arbitration team”.
“Her practice and experience will add further depth to these core areas of our regional service offering,” Mr Vallely said.
HFW Hong Kong managing partner Peter Murphy said they would “continue to grow our business in Asia Pacific, and Elizabeth rejoining HFW is a great addition to that growth”.
“We have a strong presence across our sectors in the region and Elizabeth’s expertise in shipping, international arbitration and commercial litigation reinforces our current capabilities,” Mr Murphy said.
“All of us are looking forward to welcoming Elizabeth back to HFW.”
Ms Sloane said returning to HFW was “an obvious choice”.
“HFW’s global maritime disputes practice is market leading,” she said.
“The firm’s strengths across its core sectors in Asia Pacific are unrivalled and align perfectly with my areas of focus in the region.”
I began my career as a maritime lawyer at HFW 17 years ago, spending eight years in HFW’s Hong Kong office. I am looking forward to collaborating with many of the same colleagues and clients again.”
HFW now has 33 partners and more than 150 lawyers in total in Australia, working as part of an Asia Pacific team of more than 260 lawyers and a global team of more than 700 lawyers.