Tatham Law appoints Margot Wastnage as Partner

Specialist maritime law firm Tatham & Co has announced the promotion of Margot Wastnage to Partner. This appointment aligns with the firm’s strategy to enhance its operations across Europe, particularly in France, Switzerland, Belgium, and Luxembourg, as well as the French-speaking regions of Africa. Wastnage brings a wealth of experience to her new role, having begun her career at Ince & Co, where she qualified in the London Energy and Infrastructure Group. Her background includes considerable expertise in energy disputes and shipping matters, accumulated over extensive assignments in locations such as Ethiopia, Lebanon, and France.

In addition to her experience with a leading Protection & Indemnity (P&I) club within the International Group, Wastnage has also worked with a prominent energy and commodities trader. Her specialisations include arbitration, charterparty disputes—covering off-hire and demurrage—as well as broader trade disputes involving bills of lading and sale agreements for bulk commodities. Furthermore, she is adept at navigating complex legal issues like carbon capture arrangements and interpreting charterparty clauses.

As the new Partner, Wastnage is set to lead the firm’s burgeoning shipping and trade practices in French-speaking Europe and Africa. Moreover, she will play a crucial role in bolstering Tatham & Co's capabilities to support the global energy and renewables sectors. “We are honoured and thrilled to name Margot as Tatham’s newest Partner. With more than 12 years of experience within the maritime and energy law landscape, Margot’s promotion recognises, not only the quality of her legal work but the trust and relationships she has built with clients and colleagues alike throughout her career,” stated Stephen Askins, Partner and Founder of Tatham & Co.

Wastnage underscored the urgency for tailored legal expertise in today's fast-evolving industry by saying, “Our industry is moving at an incredible pace, driven by geopolitical tensions, regulatory change, and broad global challenges. More than ever, shipping professionals need clear, commercially grounded legal advice that is tailored to the realities in which they operate.” She added, “Tatham Law is committed to helping make the international maritime industry more connected, resilient, and a safer place to operate. As a Partner, it is an honour to help lead that cause, working alongside all of our senior partners and up-and-coming legal professionals.”

Alongside her promotion, Tatham & Co has also welcomed Tristan Harwood as a Legal Director. Harwood, formerly a barrister at Shearwater Law, offers advice to owners, charterers, and marine insurers on a variety of wet and dry shipping issues, including marine casualties and regulatory affairs. This recent growth at Tatham & Co follows last year’s successful merger with Sea Green Law, which was aimed at fortifying and expanding the firm’s core capabilities in shipping, offshore and energy contractual disputes, as well as maritime security concerns.