Specialist insurance law firm Kennedys has extended its reach in Australia by opening an office in Perth to cater to its strong national growth throughout 2020.
Jonathan Wyatt, a new partner at Kennedys, will lead the opening of the new office, reflecting the firm's goal to expand its national presence in the country.
Wyatt is an experienced insurance specialist known for his expertise in marine, property, financial lines, and liability insurance. Before joining Kennedys, he was a partner at Clyde & Co. He also worked at Perth-based insurance firm Jarman McKenna.
Wyatt's former team will join him in the new office, including: special counsel Paul Graham and Alen Sinanovic, senior associate Rosie Blakey-Scholes, associates Kendall Messer, Jack Carroll and Ashleigh Weaver, paralegals Luke Docker and Quinton Roberts, and secretary Danni Durrant.
Commenting on the new office, Wyatt said: “My team and I are excited to be joining Kennedys. The global reach of the firm and the alignment of its goals to my areas of practice – marine, liability, and property – make it an ideal fit. We relish the opportunity to establish a leading insurance practice with Kennedys in Perth.
“My team in Perth will have scope to explore new career opportunities with a global firm and the benefit of Kennedys' supportive workplace culture.”
The new team in Perth is a continuation of the firm's rapid growth in its national team, with the firm's headcount increasing by 20% over the past year. The latest opening follows the 2017 opening of an office in Melbourne, which has since increased in size, and a Sydney opening in 2006.
Kennedys Australian managing partner Matt Andrews commented: “Kennedys is committed to providing the best on-the-ground capability wherever our clients need it. The appointment of a partner of Jonathan's calibre and his team makes good on that promise and will ensure that our clients have seamless access to Kennedys' expertise.
“I am delighted to welcome Jonathan and his team to Kennedys to help us build a leading insurance practice in Perth and a vital link in our growing national presence.”
The Perth team will be located at Level 24, 108 St Georges Terrace, Perth.
