Paolo Pinna

HFW (Holman Fenwick Willan) is a global, sector-focused law firm renowned for its expertise in such industries as shipping, aviation, commodities, energy and infrastructure. Established in 1883, HFW has expanded its presence to 20 offices worldwide, including a significant base in Paris since 1977. The Paris office, comprising more than 50 lawyers, offers comprehensive legal services in areas like maritime and air transportation, insurance and reinsurance, industrial risks, infrastructure and construction, energy, international trade, commodities, commercial disputes, corporate, finance and private equity.

HFW's Paris office has developed a robust export finance practice, leveraging its deep industry knowledge and international reach. The firm's lawyers advise on complex domestic and cross-border finance transactions, including asset finance (shipping, aviation and rail), export credit agency (ECA) and project finance, infrastructure finance, structured finance (securitisation and derivatives), lease transactions and restructuring. Their clientele includes banks, financial institutions, ECAs and corporate borrowers.

Today, HFW's Paris office stands out for its comprehensive export finance services, backed by a team of seasoned professionals with extensive experience in complex financial transactions. The firm's strategic hires and deep industry knowledge position it as a leader in the export finance sector in France and beyond.

Paolo joined HFW in 2024, bringing with him extensive expertise in export credit agency (ECA) finance and shipping finance. He advises on transactions governed by English, French and Italian law, with a strong focus on the international dimensions of banking and finance. His broad experience covers: asset finance; plain vanilla ECA; infrastructure and project finance; as well as financial restructuring. Paolo has acted for a wide range of clients, including banks, financial institutions, ECAs and corporate borrowers, guiding them through complex and high-value finance transactions. His background includes nearly two years as Senior Legal Counsel at SACE S.p.A., Italy’s export credit agency, and a secondment at BNP Paribas in Paris, further enriching his cross-border legal and commercial insight.