Leading law firm Lester Aldridge is celebrating the 20 year anniversary of LA Marine, its specialist marine and shipping law team.

LA Marine offers expert legal advice to the shipping, logistics, superyacht & leisure marine sectors. It is recognised as one of the leading marine law practices based predominantly outside London, although all members of the team use the firm’s London office on a regular basis to meet with London based clients. The team’s client base spans the globe and a wide range of disciplines, including insurers, banks, charter companies, vessel owners and operators, in both the commercial shipping and leisure marine sectors.

In 2000, Lester Aldridge recruited three experienced shipping lawyers to work out of the firm’s newly opened office in Southampton. Three quickly became four, all of whom had previously worked at highly respected and well-known shipping law firms in London and two of whom had previously been partners. The team adopted the name LA Marine and set about establishing the first dedicated shipping and marine law practice in Southampton.

Whilst only Russell Kelly remains from the original team, LA Marine was strengthened significantly by the recruitment of Linda Jacques in 2004, who, like Russell, had significant previous experience at leading shipping firms in London. Russell and Linda are now assisted by associate solicitors Jennie Harris and Lucy Goff, both of whom have significant experience in the sector.

Russell Kelly, Head of LA Marine, comments: “LA Marine has gone from strength to strength and we are proud to celebrate 20 years of successful business in 2020. We look forward to working with our clients for many years to come.”