Alexander Premont
Partner, Banking and Finance – Hogan Lovells
T: + 44 207 296 5399 – Hogan Lovells International
+ 33 1 53 67 22 76 – Hogan Lovells Paris
What sort of clients do you advise?
Banks, investors, and owners of superyachts.
How did you end up in superyacht law?
I started my career as a shipping finance lawyer and as a newly qualified lawyer was involved in the financing and acquisition of one of the world’s largest yachts brokerage house. On the day of the closing, someone started querying part of the financing security package. Rather unimaginatively, I answered that this was “the way it was done in the shipping industry”. I was told by the outgoing CEO that we were “not dealing with the shipping industry but with the yachting industry”. I have since learned my lessons and there are indeed a number of specific considerations to take into account regarding the financing of superyachts or players in that industry.
What makes a good superyacht lawyer?
Having a thorough understanding of the yachting industry and the operational aspects surrounding superyachts is of course a given. What makes the real difference in my view is having an understanding of all the related wealth management issues and other forms of collateral which are increasingly required as part of the financing of superyachts or superyacht related businesses. For instance, taking security over listed shares can, depending on the jurisdictions, be a challenge and would not be an obvious component of the financing and construction and acquisition of a superyacht.
What do you like most about your job?
Having contributed to a usually unique asset floating on the seas with a happy owner.
What one piece of advice would you give to potential yacht buyers.
Get advice all through the process. The costs of the advice will be negligible compared to the troubles if something goes wrong.
Official biography
Alexander is a Partner in the Banking and Finance department of Hogan Lovells.
Alexander has extensive experience in a broad range of asset finance work and has been involved in a variety of cross-border financings in respect of shipping, super-yachts, aviation and other plant and equipment transactions.
Alexander has also been acting for a number of sponsors and lenders in respect of acquisition financings relating to groups holding significant assets in the hotel, maritime and aviation industries.
Alexander has also developed particular expertise in matter involving insurance/reinsurance financings and funds at Lloyd’s insurance financings acting for a number of lenders and insurance groups in the industry.
Alexander joined Hogan Lovells in 2015 from Linklaters in London.
Alexander has been described in Legal 500 2015 as “reactive and flexible” and a “brilliant professional”.
