LAW firm Mills Oakley has been confirmed as legal counsel for the Freight and Trade Alliance and Australian Peak Shippers Association, joining fellow firm Hunt & Hunt Lawyers who have been reappointed.
FTA represents 370 key importers and freight forwarding businesses and serves as secretariat to APSA.
FTA director and co-founder Paul Zalai said Mills Oakley would support members nationally on shipping, insurance, transport and logistics.
Mr Zalai talked of the need for specialist support citing the cost of disputes, and of litigating them, being a major consideration in an industry dominated by controlling spend and protecting value.
“The current economic climate and the increasingly globalised face of the shipping industry means that contractual relationships have become ever more complex, making sound legal guidance and expert handling of claims and recoveries more important than ever,” he said.
Mr Zalai said the Mills Oakley role would complement the long-term existing with Hunt & Hunt Lawyers to provide support to members on border and biosecurity compliance.
Mills Oakley partner Frazer Hunt said they were “are excited about our appointment by FTA and APSA to assist their members with legal services associated with shipping, insurance, transport and logistics issues”.
“Our appointment will broaden and complement the existing offering to members that already covers customs and trade issues. Maurice Lynch and I look forward to working with both organisations,” Mr Hunt said.
Hunt & Hunt principal Russell Wiese said they were “delighted to continue our services to FTA, APSA and its members at a time where on the one hand the global trading system is facing unprecedented challenges while at the same time new free trade agreements and the evolution of the Australian Trusted Trader Program present significant opportunities for traders”.
Mr Wiese is to be presenting at the FTA legal forums in Brisbane on 11 November, Melbourne on 14 November and Perth on 27 November 2019. More information is available on the FTA website.
