Joe leads HWL Ebsworth’s Shipping and Trade practice, advising on all aspects of domestic and international shipping disputes — wet and dry — and front-end shipping and trade matters. He has acted in many of Australia’s leading admiralty cases and is known as the “go-to” for shipping and maritime matters.
Joe frequently acts in foreign arbitrations. Before joining HWL Ebsworth, he qualified in England and worked for Richards Butler (now Reed Smith) in London and Abu Dhabi, later becoming a founding partner of Norton White. Joe chaired the IBA Maritime Committee and is recognised among the world’s top shipping lawyers.
He is ranked by Who’s Who Legal, Best Lawyers™ Australia (Trade and Transport), and Doyle’s Guide as a Preeminent Admiralty, Shipping & Maritime Lawyer.
Expertise
Experience
- Shipowner’s P&I Club Advised the Shipowner’s P&I Club and its member in the well-known admiralty arrest case “Maria Louisa”.
- Cargo carrier Acted for the carrier in a substantial cargo claim that has been described as the largest such claim in Australian legal history.
- Four Vanguard Acted for Four Vanguard, (part of the Premuda Group) in relation to a physical damage diminution of value Marine Insurance Claim.
- Suzlon Energy Limited Advised in a number of international charter party disputes.
- Cook Islands legislature Advised on amendments to its legislation and the incorporation of an international shipping registry.
- Purchasers of vessels Advised numerous purchasers including the owners of the “Norfolk Guardian”, “Tavake Oma”, “Bass Reefer”, and “Aberdeen Star”.
- Shipowners Advised many shipowners in regard to oil spills within Australian waters.
- “Pasha Bulker” grounding Acted on the well-known “Pasha Bulker” grounding.
- P&O Nedloyd Limited Acted as an outsourced in-house counsel for the well-known shipping company P&O Nedloyd Limited for 4 years prior to merging with Maersk.
