International law firm Kennedys and boutique marine and shipping law firm Waltons & Morse have completed their merger, creating the £150 million (approximately NZ$256 million) turnover business Kennedys Marine.
Leading Kennedys Marine, an 11-partner international team focused on marine insurance, shipping, and transport and logistics, is Chris Dunn who joins the Strategy Board from Waltons & Morse, where he was managing partner.
Dunn will head a 20-strong team to boost the firm’s existing capabilities in marine and shipping work, working with 30 experts across the firm’s network of offices in the UK, Ireland, Singapore, Australia, and the Americas.
All Waltons & Morse staff, who were previously based in London on Gracechurch Street, have been relocated to Kennedy’s flagship Fenchurch Avenue office in London.
Kennedys Marine’s new head said the merger marks the beginning of Kennedys’ bright prospects in marine insurance and shipping.
“Today marks the start of a leading marine insurance and shipping focus for Kennedys,” Dunn said. “We’re looking forward to working within a strong international infrastructure and launching the talented Kennedys Marine team, providing clients with greater access to services across the world and our team with an excellent foundation for further growth and development. We work for many of the same Lloyd’s syndicates and insurers and today we bring together two very like-minded businesses.”
Nick Thomas, senior partner at Kennedys, also commented on the merger: “I’m thrilled to complete our merger with Waltons & Morse, an exceptional niche firm that shares the same insurance focus as we do.”
The merger, noted Thomas, is the “latest landmark in a year of consistent growth” for Kennedys, following the opening of new offices in Copenhagen, Brazil, Peru, Chile, and Colombia and two associate offices in Norway and Sweden; the relocation of their Manchester and Dublin offices; and 10 senior lateral hires so far this year.
Related stories:
EQC legal adviser bags national firm of the year award
Insurance practice boost for law firm DAC Beachcroft
Insurance law first for NZ
