Founding member of HFW Australia returns as global litigation funding head

Maurice Thompson, one of the founding team members of HFW Australia, has returned to the firm to lead its global litigation funding team.

Thompson, previously a senior equity partner (energy, maritime, natural resources and aviation) at Clyde & Co, brings with him a team of seven lawyers, three of which hailed from Clyde & Co.He strengthens the firm's capabilities in shipping, aerospace, energy, insurance, commodities, and litigation funding.

He has three decades of experience gleaned from practising in Australia, China, England and Dubai. He has handled complex large-scale disputes and litigation, disputes in marine casualties, offshore facilities, biosecurity, trade credit insurance, and international trading in sectors like hydrocarbons and agriculture.

Thompson has also tackled class actions involving litigation funders both locally and internationally. He has represented airlines and their insurers in court proceedings related to the MH17, MH370, and Germanwings 9525 incidents.

"Maurice was a member of HFW Australia's foundation team when our first Australian office was opened in 2006, and I am delighted to welcome him back as a partner. Maurice's appointment continues the strategic expansion of our business in Australia,” commented Gavin Vallely, managing partner, HFW Australia. “Maurice has also become an expert practitioner in the offshore energy, aviation, insurance, litigation funding and, more recently, autonomous ships and aircraft sectors. He has vast experience managing large scale multijurisdictional arbitrations and litigation, and his practice is a perfect fit with HFW's industry sectors.”