International law firm Thomas Cooper has appointed shipping specialist Kevin Oram as partner of the firm’s Singapore-based team.

Oram joins Thomas Cooper from Barlow Lyde & Gilbert, where he worked in their shipping department. He has also worked for HFW in London. Oram began his career in the early 90s as legal advisor and projects manager in a large stevedoring and shipping logistics company.

Oram has experience in trade and related disputes, having advised commodity traders, banks, shippers and receivers in relation to various issues arising out of the international sale and purchase of goods. Oram has also done much work for commodity traders under GAFTA/FOSFA and similar trading associations, and for owners and charterers involved in the commodities trades, including coal, oil, iron ore, scrap, soya, grain and wheat.

Thomas Cooper’s head of shipping, Graham Harris comments: “Oram’s appointment will be an excellent addition to the partnership and the shipping team. His shipping expertise will enhance and build upon our existing offering. He is a highly experienced maritime practitioner and knows the shipping sector very well and has real expertise of complex transactions in the London and international markets.”

Oram joins the firm’s two other partners in Singapore – Johan Wong and Paul Barfield. His appointment brings the number of partners in its shipping team to 20. The practice in Singapore focuses on India, China, Japan, Korea and the South East Asia region.

Thomas Cooper’s shipping group provides a full range of international services in maritime, trade and finance law and advises clubs, shipowners, charterers, salvors and insurers. They have been involved in some of the highest profile major maritime casualties and personal injury claims over the years as well as day-to-day commercial disputes arising under shipping contracts.