Preston Turnbull Announces Three New Partners and Strengthens Marine Insurance Practice

Omer Aral and Scarlett Dixon have been promoted to Partner in recognition of their consistent excellence, leadership and contributions to the firm.

Omer is an experienced commercial lawyer who represents shipowners, charterers, cargo interests and insurers across a broad range of wet and dry shipping matters, including charterparty and bill of lading disputes, laytime and demurrage, collisions, general average, and ship sale and purchase transactions and related disputes. He has been involved in a number of high profile and high value cases both in the High Court and the Court of Appeal, as well as in arbitration under various institutional rules including LMAA and GAFTA. Omer’s practice has a particular focus on the Turkish market, and his promotion demonstrates the importance of this market to the firm. 

Scarlett is an experienced dispute resolution lawyer whose practice spans all areas of dry shipping, commodities, energy and renewables. She regularly acts for shipowners, operators, container lines, charterers, P&I / FD&D insurers and commodity trading companies in disputes arising out of charterparties, bills of lading, vessel sharing agreements, bunker supply contracts, MOAs, sale contracts and brokerage agreements. Recently, Scarlett has been involved in a number of commercial fraud cases involving APP fraud, banking and dishonest assistance/unlawful means conspiracy. She acts for clients in key maritime hubs, with a focus on Northern Europe, Greece, Singapore and Hong Kong. 

We are also delighted to announce the arrival of David McKie, who joins Preston Turnbull from CMS as a Partner to further strengthen our established marine insurance offering. David has 30 years’ experience in UK and international insurance and reinsurance disputes, specialising in marine, aviation, offshore energy and trade credit. His considerable marine expertise spans cargo, hull, liability, P&I, ports, yachts, war risks and cyber. He advises insurers, reinsurers and maritime clients, offering practical solutions to complex cases. David also handles maritime and trade disputes for clients such as banks, shipowners, and charterers, including collisions, salvage, cargo claims and charterparty disputes, ship arrest, jurisdiction, enforcement, and shipbuilding matters.

David McKie, Partner, said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Preston Turnbull as the firm continues to go from strength to strength across shipping, marine insurance and wider trade work. The team’s reputation in these sectors is outstanding, and it’s a privilege to be joining such a well‑regarded group of lawyers. I’m excited to help further enhance the marine insurance practice as the firm enters its next phase of growth.”

Elizabeth Turnbull, Partner, said: “We are delighted to welcome David to Preston Turnbull and send our congratulations to Omer and Scarlett on their promotions. These appointments represent an important step in the ongoing development of the firm and our sector-focused offering to clients. We look forward to the continued impact David, Omer, Scarlett and will make in their new roles.”

Preston Turnbull LLP is a London-based law firm of leading lawyers specialised in shipping, international trade, marine insurance, shipbuilding and offshore, superyachts, and international fuel supply disputes. Following these appointments, the firm consists of over 55 lawyers including 14 partners.