RPC recruits international trade disputes specialist Stuart Shepherd

Firm's commercial disputes practice to be boosted by new hire, adding strength to global practice.

City-headquartered law firm RPC has hired international trade specialist Stuart Shepherd from Ince & Co to join its market-leading Commercial Disputes team in London. Stuart was recently Global Head of Trade at Ince & Co.

Stuart is one of the leading international trade lawyers in London and takes on trade and commodities matters for clients across the globe, having started his 34 year career focusing on shipping work. As part of his commercial litigation practice Stuart also advises on complex commercial fraud cases, notably the massive Fiona Trust litigation.

RPC Managing Partner Jonathan Watmough says: "Stuart's arrival not only complements our Asia based Marine and Shipping practices, both from a commercial and insurance perspective, but also adds further strength to our contentious international trade offering to clients, particularly in London and Hong Kong.

"Litigation accounts for over 70% of the work we do internationally making us a go-to firm for large scale complex disputes. Already one of the largest teams in London, Stuart will add significant extra firepower to our current offering."

Tom Hibbert, Global Commercial Disputes Head, comments: "Our team has the size and infrastructure to handle multiple, large, and complex commercial cases simultaneously no matter what issue arises. However, we identified that we were missing deep expertise in commodities, international trade and shipping in our London Commercial Disputes team and Stuart helps to fill that capability. His practice sits neatly with many of our existing strengths and his arrival means clients in these sectors will have access to a seamless service across the UK and Asia."

"I look forward to joining the Commercial Disputes team at RPC and to further developing my trade practice. I know that I'll be working with a well-oiled machine which will allow the support and expertise to help me do the most for my clients no matter where in the world they are," says Stuart.

RPC's Commercial Disputes practice is made up of nearly 60 lawyers based across the firm's offices in London, Hong Kong and Singapore. Meanwhile, the 10 lawyer Shipping and International Trade practice currently comprises three Partners and one Admiralty Manager based in Hong Kong.