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Global law firm HFW has moved to strengthen its global shipping practice Down Under, with the hire of a new partner and consultant out west, who are returning to the firm from BigLaw rival Squire Patton Boggs.
HFW has further expanded its global shipping practice and continued the growth of its Australian arm with the return of Joel Cockerell as a partner and Hazel Brewer as a consultant in Perth.
Cockerell, who previously worked at HFW in Singapore, is a shipping and commodities lawyer and qualified mariner with more than 25 years of maritime industry and legal experience, including over a decade of service in the Royal Australian Navy, the firm said.
Brewer, who previously served as a partner and Perth office head at HFW, has more than 30 years of experience advising clients across the shipping, admiralty, marine insurance and international trade sectors.
Both are returning to HFW from Squire Patton Boggs. Cockerell restarted at the firm on 14 October, while Brewer will join on 2 November.
Speaking about the hires, HFW global head of shipping Paul Dean said: “I am delighted to welcome Joel and Hazel back home to HFW. Both are highly respected practitioners whose experience will add further depth to our shipping practice and enhance our ability to support clients across Asia Pacific and internationally.”
Cockerell’s practice spans wet and dry shipping, marine insurance and offshore energy, the firm said. That work includes litigation and arbitration, marine salvage and casualties, admiralty proceedings, charterparty and ship construction disputes, sale and purchase work, regulatory investigations and commercial advisory work.
Brewer advises on commodities contracts, charterparties, contracts of affreightment, bills of lading and carriage issues involving LNG, petroleum, iron ore, nickel and copper. She also advises on offshore industry contracts and disputes and on environmental and pollution matters, and has extensive litigation and arbitration experience, including proceedings under ICC, LMAA, SIAC and SCMA rules.
HFW was among the earliest international law firms to establish a presence in Australia, opening in Melbourne 20 years ago. The firm has continued to expand its national footprint, most recently with the launch of its Brisbane office in 2025, and now has 33 partners across four Australian offices.
Since the start of FY2023–24, HFW has added 16 partners nationally.
HFW’s managing partner for Australia, Gavin Vallely, said the West Australian market made the two hires a natural fit for the firm’s regional practice.
“Joel and Hazel are excellent additions to our Perth and regional APAC practice. Western Australia is among the world’s leading producers of LNG, minerals and agriproducts, and a critical shipping hub for the export of these commodities and the import of high-value project cargo, which often involve complex logistics arrangements,” Vallely said.
“Joel’s seagoing and casualty investigation experience, and his and Hazel’s longstanding industry relationships, local knowledge and international connections will further strengthen our client offering across Australia.”
Cockerell said his earlier time at the firm had informed his decision to return.
“HFW’s deep sector focus, international platform and longstanding reputation in shipping and commodities make it an excellent fit for my practice and my clients. Having previously worked at HFW, I know first-hand the strength of its people and culture, and I look forward to working with colleagues in Australia and across the wider global network to support clients across shipping, marine insurance, offshore energy and commodities,” he said.
