SEDA Insights: "The Strait of Hormuz Crisis: From Charterparty Risk to Commodities and Trade Finance Disputes"
- SEDA Experts
- Apr 30
- 3 min read
May 2026
In this issue, we examine the Strait of Hormuz crisis and its implications for charterparty risk, commodities, and trade finance disputes, alongside an analysis of private credit pressures, structural frictions, and emerging litigation themes. You’ll also find a case update on Chairman and Managing Partner Peter Selman’s expert testimony in a U.S. federal trial resulting in a $39 million jury verdict, the latest news on our experts, and introductions to the newest additions to our ever-growing roster of accomplished practitioners.
FEATURED INSIGHTS
The Strait of Hormuz Crisis: From Charterparty Risk to Commodities and Trade Finance Disputes
SEDA Experts’ Bruno Roch, Ian Mote, Melissa Gleave, and Richard Jefferson explore how the Strait of Hormuz crisis is driving complex disputes across charterparties, commodities and trade finance, exposing fault lines in force majeure and risk allocation.
Private Credit Redux: Credit Cycles, Structural Frictions, and Emerging Litigation Themes
Richard Marin explores how private credit’s rapid expansion is now being tested by rising rates and structural pressures, highlighting emerging risks around valuation, liquidity, and potential litigation.
CASE UPDATES
SEDA Chairman and Managing Partner Peter Selman Testified in U.S. Federal Trial Resulting in $39 Million Jury Verdict
SEDA Experts Chairman and Managing Partner Peter Selman served as an expert witness in a recent trial before the United States District Court for the District of Colorado involving a contractual dispute related to financial losses arising from an equity investment.
EXPERTS IN THE NEWS
Dr. Andrew Hildreth joined the panel “Securities and ESG Claims Against International Companies” at the Perfect Law Global Class Actions & Mass Torts Conference London 2026, a premier event sponsored by SEDA and bringing together leading experts from the USA, the UK, and Australia.
Gary DeWaal joined the FIA Law & Compliance Conference from April 15 - 17, 2026 as a speaker on two panels- “Futures & Options Basics: What Every Legal & Compliance Professional Should Know," a discussion of issues related to futures and derivatives market structure, regulation, and market participants, as well as "'Future Proofing' Your Business in Anticipation of Regulatory Change," a discussion of practical approaches for businesses to take advantage of staff guidance issued by financial regulators in the absence of the adoption of laws formally approving such guidance.
Kathryn Porter, joined ENVEXX 2026, speaking on the panel “The truth about transition and the need for affordable secure energy with E&P to fill the gap”. She stressed the continued role of oil and gas in ensuring energy security and affordability during the transition.
Craig Coben, in a recent piece for Financial Times Alphaville, analyzed proposed changes to the methodology of the Nasdaq-100 by Nasdaq, highlighting how new fast-entry rules for large IPOs could accelerate the inclusion of major tech listings and shift risks toward passive investors tracking the index.
Dawn Stump moderated a discussion at the Asset Management Derivatives Forum hosted by FIA and SIFMA AMG, covering topics including Treasury clearing, Basel III reforms, and crypto market structure.
Dr. Fidelio Tata spoke at Regent’s University London on blockchain-driven FinTech innovations, with a focus on tokenisation of non-bankable assets and the music rights model developed by twelve x twelve.
Jean Chung joined a panel at the Maples Investment Funds Forum organized by Maples Group on the topic of “Globalization of Japanese Capital.”
Julian Gooding moderated a roundtable at the 1LoD Culture and Conduct Deep Dive on “Has De-Regulation taken the bite out of Risk Culture?”, discussing the resilience of risk culture in financial institutions and evolving regulatory expectations.
NEW HIRES
SEDA continues to expand its Capital Markets and Investigation, Regulatory Enforcement & Compliance practices. We are excited to introduce:
Crispin Osborne has over 30 years of experience in global investment banking and corporate finance, including senior roles at Barclays, Citigroup, and Credit Suisse First Boston, with expertise in Equity Capital Markets, M&A, and Debt Capital Markets across multiple geographies.
Matthew L. Sperling is an expert in equity capital markets, investment banking, and corporate finance, with more than two decades of experience advising boards, management teams, and investors on complex equity transactions and capital markets strategy.
Amber Vitale is a senior attorney and compliance expert with extensive experience in U.S. economic sanctions, anti-money laundering, and financial crimes compliance. Her background spans government service, private legal practice, global financial institutions, and consulting.
Dr. Scott J. Susin has over 18 years of experience providing expert economic analysis and litigation support in matters involving fair lending, housing discrimination, and mortgage markets. Dr. Susin has served as lead economist on high-stakes investigations.
The opinions, views, and statements expressed in this digest are solely those of the individual authors and do not represent, reflect, or constitute the views or opinions of SEDA Experts.
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