Shakira Marsh- Finch

Associate

Meet Shakira 's team

Shakira is an accomplished legal professional, having earned her Law degree from Birkbeck, University of London, and subsequently completing the Legal Practice Course (LPC) at The University of Law, followed by the Professional Skills Course (PSC) in London.

Admitted as a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales in 2021, Shakira further solidified her international legal standing by obtaining admission as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Gibraltar in 2023, showcasing her commitment to excellence and versatility as a dual-qualified Solicitor.

Shakira commenced her training contract with ISOLAS in February 2022 where she undertook seats in Litigation, Corporate/Commercial Law, and Private Client matters.

Prior to joining ISOLAS, Shakira worked as a criminal, fraud and civil defence Solicitor at Bark&Co. a London law firm situated in the heart of the City. In this role, she adeptly handled high-stakes cases, defending against allegations from eminent regulatory bodies such as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Serious Fraud Office (SFO), and managing complex fraud-related criminal and civil charges in London.

Shakira currently works alongside and assisting Partner Christian Hernandez in corporate, shipping finance and financial services. Her background as a defence Solicitor in London equips her to navigate civil disputes when assisting the team in contentious matters.

Shakira focuses on high-value transactional work, she works alongside Partner Christian Hernandez to represent international lenders and major banking institutions. She provides comprehensive support across the entire lifecycle of a commercial transaction, from the initial structuring and negotiation of facility agreements through to final execution and post completion formalities.

Her practice covers a broad spectrum of lending and security arrangements, including debt refinancing and upsize facilities. Shakira is experienced in managing complex security hierarchies, ensuring that the ranking and priority of interests are clearly established to protect the lender’s position as transactions evolve. She oversees the strategic release and enhancement of security, ensuring collateral is properly managed to align with the overarching transactional structure. From coordinating the registration of charges to implementing risk mitigation strategies, she maintains a consistent focus on safeguarding creditor priority.

Shakira has been recognised as a recommended lawyer in Banking and Finance in the Legal 500 EMEA 2026 rankings.

Alongside her corporate practice, Shakira has developed a comprehensive maritime expertise, representing both creditors and financial institutions before the Gibraltar courts. Working alongside Partner Christian Hernandez, she specializes in the arrest and judicial sale of vessels, managing the procedural requirements for creditors and holders of in rem rights against a vessel or its sale proceeds. This includes navigating the legal framework following an arrest by another party and the subsequent determination of priorities by the Gibraltar courts.

Actively involved in the majority of shipping disputes within the jurisdiction, Shakira frequently receives instructions from Magic and Silver Circle firms in London. Her practice to date has involved representing banks and institutional lenders in asserting their security and rights under ship mortgages, as well as acting for bunker supply companies seeking to recover outstanding debts following owner defaults. She also regularly advises local Port Agents on securing claims for services and disbursements provided to vessels calling at the Port of Gibraltar.

Alongside her corporate and maritime litigation practice, Shakira provides comprehensive assistance with ship and yacht registration in Gibraltar. Working within this premier Category 1 Red Ensign jurisdiction, she facilitates the registration of vessels of unlimited size and type, including superyachts and those still under construction.

Her involvement extends to streamlining the entire process from provisional to full registration where she ensures a seamless transition to the Gibraltar registry for every client.

  • Placeholding cube

Accreditations

Memberships & Background

2024: Associate, ISOLAS LLP

2023: Admitted as a Solicitor to the Supreme Court of Gibraltar

2022: Trainee Lawyer, ISOLAS LLP

2021: Admitted as a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales

2020–2021: (PSC) Professional Skills Course in London.

2017 – 2019: (LPC) at The University of Law.

2013–2016: Birkbeck, University of London

 

 

Shakira Marsh-Finch Get in touch

Shakira 's team: Christian Hernandez and Anna Hernandez