Deborah Cooper
London
Summary
Maritime-focused trainee solicitor with experience across yachting, dry shipping, admiralty/wet shipping and marine insurance. Background in international oil trading and sanctions compliance. Keen tennis enthusiast.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Trainee Solicitor
Preston Turnbull LLP
London
09.2024 - Current
- Dry Shipping: Worked on a wide range of complex charterparty disputes, including off‑hire claims, speed and performance issues, withdrawal, and cancellation disputes. Drafted advice and submissions, and instructed counsel and experts. I have gained significant experience in vessel arrests, enforcement proceedings, and multi‑jurisdictional matters. I have also handled a variety of cargo claims and other P&I matters, working directly with the partner to provide advice on legal merits and strategy.
- Admiralty / Wet Shipping: Involved in the end‑to‑end management of urgent marine casualty incidents, including vessel collisions, groundings, and general average declarations. Handled complex cargo damage claims and appointed surveyors and legal advisors to conduct damage assessments and loss quantification.
- Insurance (Hull & P&I): Assisted on insurance-related matters across Hull & Machinery (H&M) and Protection & Indemnity (P&I) policies in the context of marine casualties, operational incidents, and third‑party liabilities. Assisted in providing structured coverage advice, analysing policy wordings, clauses, exclusions, warranties, and deductibles. Reviewed and evaluated claims documentation, including survey reports, statements of facts and supporting contractual documents.
- Yachting: Assisted on contentious disputes, including High Court litigation and London Maritime Arbitrators Association (LMAA) arbitrations. Gained experience in high‑value, complex international disputes involving vessels, often spanning multiple jurisdictions with differing legal regimes and enforcement challenges.
Legal Assistant
GEG Management SAM
Monaco
11.2022 - 05.2024
- Managed corporate and counterparty onboarding processes, preparing, reviewing, and validating KYC documentation to ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
- Advised on compliance with international sanctions regimes affecting the transportation and trading of Russian and Venezuelan oil, including EU, UK, and US frameworks. Conducted transaction‑level reviews to identify sanctions risks relating to counterparties, cargo origin, ownership structures, and shipping routes.
- Drafted and negotiated contracts for purchase and sale of crude oil and refined products for trading arm, collaborating with chartering and trading teams. Reviewed charterparty terms, advised on operational and commercial risks, and prepared and analysed demurrage claims, drafting internal reports for senior management.
Corporate Assistant Intern
IRI Marshall Islands Registry
London
07.2024 - 08.2024
- Assisted the Corporate Registration team with the constitution and dissolution of Foreign Maritime Entities (FMEs), preparing and reviewing documentation for compliance and regulatory filings.
- Supported the Vessel Registration team in registering new vessels under the Marshall Islands flag, coordinating with owners and managers.
- Participated in multiple vessel purchase closings.
Assistant in the Development of Public Projects
University of Genoa
Genoa
04.2019 - 05.2020
- Liaised with project sponsors and candidates for University-funded initiatives, monitoring progress and verifying project development.
- Supported the administration of public competitions, including identity verification and responding to enquiries.
Legal Intern
Standard P&I Club (Charles Taylor PLC)
London
08.2018 - 08.2018
- Worked with the Claims Handling Team and gained exposure to Loss Adjusting, Loss Prevention, Syndicates, Insurance Underwriting, and the Offshore Department.
Legal Intern
Piccinini & Partners Law Firm
Genoa
02.2017 - 06.2018
- Worked on open and closed case files within the Italian legal system.
- Drafted mock legal instruments and deeds, receiving detailed feedback to develop accuracy and drafting skills.
Legal Intern
Ince & Co
Monaco
06.2013 - 07.2013
- Reviewed case files and discussed legal processes with solicitors to understand maritime disputes and procedural strategy.
Education
Legal Practice Course (LPC) and LLM in Professional Legal Practice
The University of Law
Norwich, United Kingdom08-2022
Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies
University of East Anglia
Norwich, United Kingdom07-2021
Master's Degree in Law
University of Genoa
Genoa, Italy06-2020
Italian High School Diploma (Esame di Stato)
Liceo Statale Angelico Aprosio
Ventimiglia, Italy07-2013
French High School Diploma (Diplôme du Baccalauréat Général)
Académie de Nice
Nice, FRANCE07-2013
Custom
(+39) 3400548021, (+44) 7934258792
Languages
Italian
First Language
English
Proficient
C2
French
Upper Intermediate
B2
Volunteering
- Volunteer in a Care Home "Casa Famiglia Rosanna Benzi" - Genoa (Italy)
Timeline
Trainee Solicitor
Preston Turnbull LLP
09.2024 - Current
Corporate Assistant Intern
IRI Marshall Islands Registry
07.2024 - 08.2024
Legal Assistant
GEG Management SAM
11.2022 - 05.2024
Assistant in the Development of Public Projects
University of Genoa
04.2019 - 05.2020
Legal Intern
Standard P&I Club (Charles Taylor PLC)
08.2018 - 08.2018
Legal Intern
Piccinini & Partners Law Firm
02.2017 - 06.2018
Legal Intern
Ince & Co
06.2013 - 07.2013
Legal Practice Course (LPC) and LLM in Professional Legal Practice
The University of Law
Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies
University of East Anglia
Master's Degree in Law
University of Genoa
Italian High School Diploma (Esame di Stato)
Liceo Statale Angelico Aprosio
French High School Diploma (Diplôme du Baccalauréat Général)
Académie de Nice