Posted on: 5 May 2026
Watson Farley & Williams (WFW) is pleased to announce the enhancement of its Global Maritime Sector leadership with the appointment of two new Regional Sector Heads, as well as two promotions to partner in-sector in the firm’s New York office.
London-based Partner George Macheras continues as Global Maritime Sector Head, a role he has held since January 2022. He will now be additionally supported by two regional Sector Heads, London Partner Kavita Shah as Maritime Sector Head – Europe & Americas and Hong Kong Partner Christoforos Bisbikos as Maritime Sector Head – Asia Pacific & Middle East respectively.
This advanced leadership structure enhances the continued growth and global ambitions of WFW’s market-leading maritime practice given the ever more interconnected nature of the industry, ensuring clients benefit from coordinated international advice underpinned by strong regional insights and experience.
Kavita advises owners, operators, lenders and financial institutions across Europe and the Americas. Her expertise in maritime asset finance – particularly creditor representation – and her advisory work on portfolio acquisitions, refinancings and credit facilities led to her inclusion in Lloyd’s List’s Top 10 Maritime Lawyers of 2025.
Christoforos focusses on high-value transactional, commercial and disputes work. Widely-recognised for his cross-border expertise and impact in shaping WFW’s regional maritime practice in Asia, he was named among Lloyd’s List’s Top 10 Maritime Lawyers of 2024 and was most was recently honoured in CBLJ’s 2025-26 A-List for his exceptional strategic acumen and for driving the firm’s growth in the China market.
George Macheras commented: “Our sector has grown in its scale, complexities and ambition, so formalising our regional leadership roles is a key step in ensuring our strategy remains aligned across jurisdictions and practice areas, whilst retaining our client needs as a priority. I am very grateful to Kavita and Christoforos for their continued support and look forward to working with them to keep strengthening our global maritime offering”.
WFW Senior Partner George Paleokrassas added: “The maritime sector has been a cornerstone of our global offering since the firm was founded and I am delighted to see Kavita and Christoforos taking on these important regional roles under George’s continuing leadership. This sits alongside the continued strengthening of our maritime practice globally, including our new partner promotions in New York, improving our shipping and maritime finance capability in the critical US market”.
The firm’s two newly promoted maritime partners in New York are:
Maxi Adamski-de Visser – Assets & Structured Finance, New York
Maxi’s practice focusses primarily on cross-border and domestic asset-based finance transactions in the transportation sector. She regularly advises financial institutions (including commercial banks and ECAs) and private and publicly listed companies on the structuring, negotiation and documentation of complex loan and security arrangements. Maxi also regularly advises on Jones Act related matters, as well as on matters of Marshall Islands and Liberian maritime law.
C.J. Chido – Assets & Structured Finance, New York
Maritime practitioner C.J. acts for banks, financial institutions and private equity funds on cross-border asset-backed financings. In addition, he frequently advises ship owners in connection with the financing, leasing, operating, sale and purchase of a variety of vessels. In these roles, he leverages deep experience in U.S. maritime law and New York commercial law, along with the corporate and maritime laws of leading flag-states, including the Marshall Islands and Liberia. C.J. has been recognised as a ‘Rising Star’ by Legal 500 USA for shipping finance since 2022.
Seven new partners were made up in total.
