Hill Dickinson—Mark Johnson

International commercial law firm Hill Dickinson has announced the appointment of Mark Johnson, joining the firm’s London office as a corporate commercial partner, bringing with him over 30 years of experience in the maritime and legal fields.

The former naval officer and ship’s captain joins the firm’s commercial shipping team, further consolidating the relationship between Hill Dickinson’s business services and marine groups.

Mark brings extensive experience advising on the construction, conversion, sale and purchase, recycling, financing, management, operation and ownership of all types of vessels, including FSRUs, drilling rigs, wind turbine installation vessels and ferries as well as some of the world’s largest superyachts. 

He will support Hill Dickinson in negotiating and documenting large-scale and complex maritime and offshore projects, acting for a range of clients from major banks and oil companies to ship owners, leasing companies and shipyards.

Mark joins from US law firm Haynes and Boone, where he co-headed the firm’s shipping practice alongside its autonomous transportation practice. Prior to that, he spent over ten years at Reed Smith and 12 years in the Royal Navy.

Fiona Parry, head of the business services group at Hill Dickinson (pictured above with Mark), said: ‘Mark’s appointment is indicative of the investment we’re making into our London practice as we continue to make strides in the city’s increasingly competitive legal market.’

Rod Palmer, shipping and aviation partner in the London commercial team, said: ‘Mark’s addition to our commercial shipping team comes at a time when demand for our specialist maritime and offshore financing services is continuing to grow. His reputation in the City and his thorough and in-depth sector knowledge gives us invaluable extra capacity across the full range of banking, lending, sale and purchase and debt financing services in the shipping space.’