GREEK lawyer Dimitris Karamacheras is joining the Piraeus office of Hill Dickinson at partner level, the prominent law firm has announced.

The sector veteran was previously a partner at rival outfit Watson Farley & Williams.

Karamacheras, who has more than 16 years’ experience in shipping law, will continue his current ship finance and transactional practice, potentially boosting the Hill Dickinson’s reach across Europe and the Middle East.

Karamacheras has advised on numerous high-profile transactions for a wide range of clients, including institutional lenders, private equity funds, shipowners and operators.

His work covers all aspects of loan and security documentation, lease structures, restructurings and portfolio transfers.

Karamacheras also has extensive expertise in shipping finance and sale-and-leaseback transactions, as well as in commercial shipping matters such as shipbuilding contracts, ship management, charterparties and ship sale and purchase transactions.

His experience also includes advising banking syndicates on complex debt restructurings, and shipowners on mergers and acquisitions.

The development comes at a time when Hill Dickinson — in the public eye in the UK on account of its sponsorship of Everton’s football stadium — is growing its marine practice. Recent hires include commodities partner Andrew Meads in July.

Karamacheras will work closely with Jasel Chauhan, head of the Piraeus office, and Anthony Paizes, the local head of ship finance.