Clyde & Co hires partner in Miami to strengthen global Energy, Marine and Natural Resources practice

Global law firm Clyde & Co has today announced the appointment of Robert Kritzman as a Partner in its global Energy, Marine and Natural Resources practice. Robert will be based in the firm’s Miami office.

Robert has over 30 years of experience in the shipping and cruise line industry specializing in international commercial transactions, maritime transactions, maritime regulatory compliance, and mergers and acquisitions.

He has extensive experience in vessel construction projects including cruise ships, cargo ships, tankers and yachts. He provides advice to lenders, buyers and borrowers on various regulatory issues and commercial transactions with an emphasis on the shipping and maritime industry, including shipbuilding contracts, secured vessel financings and transactions, maritime bankruptcies and restructurings, and environmental and safety compliance.

Robert joins Clyde & Co from Lewis Brisbois where he was a partner and member of the commercial lending, complex business and commercial litigation, marine and energy, and transportation practices. Prior to this, he spent 17 years at Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL), one of the world’s largest cruise-lines, first as the General Counsel and Executive Vice President, and later as Managing Director of NCL America.

He also has experience in the Superyacht industry and will take an active role in supporting Clyde & Co’s existing global Superyacht team with their work for clients in the US, APAC and MEA.

David Bennet, Clyde & Co Partner and Global Chair of Clyde & Co’s Energy, Marine and Natural Resources practice, comments: “Robert’s significant experience in the cruise line sector ideally matches our ambitions in and focus on this market and in Miami, he is perfectly based to do so. Robert will also extend the already impressive reach of our Superyacht team. We are excited to welcome him into the team and look forward to Robert supporting our clients with their growth strategies, including future deals, spin offs and start up activity.”

Robert Kritzman comments: “Clyde & Co has a strong reputation in the market and wide network which attracted me to the Energy, Marine and Natural Resources practice. Due to the global reach of the firm, I will be able to expand and diversify my activity for clients in regions such as APAC and the UK, while increasing the firm’s US maritime practice. This is an exciting time in the cruise industry as demand increases and companies return to full service post-pandemic.” 

Clyde & Co has been growing its Energy, Marine and Natural Resources practices and announced in April three partner promotions in the UK for Marta Jarque Branguli, Giovanna Cabbia, and Marie-Anne Moussalli, who will provide predominantly transactional but also disputes services to these sectors, in particular in Superyachts, shipping and mining.

The firm also announced in early May the relocation of Partner David Leckie from London to Dubai to further strengthen the firm’s global Energy, Marine & Natural Resources practice in the Middle East and Africa (MEA). David has been working in the global energy sector for three decades and is widely recognised as a leading practitioner in the sector.

Clyde & Co’s marine lawyers are based in over 25 locations across five continents with a history of over 80 years’ experience, making the firm one of the oldest maritime law firms in the world. The marine team work closely with the firm’s insurance, trade and energy teams to provide market-leading, cross-sector support to those who rely on, support and facilitate marine transportation.