Legal services provider DWF has announced the expansion of its global risks practice in London with the appointment of Gary Walkling (pictured above, left) and Franco D'Andrea (pictured above, right) as partners, and Leah Wood as senior associate.
Walkling joins DWF after a 15-year tenure at Reynolds Porter Chamberlain, including the last four years as a partner where he led the International Risk insurance team.
His work in the energy insurance has earned industry accolades, and he has provided counsel to global insurers and reinsurers on complex, high-value claims across the onshore and offshore oil and gas, power generation, renewables, construction, and marine sectors. His areas of expertise include coverage, disputes, and subrogation.
D'Andrea, meanwhile, transitions to DWF from Clyde & Co. He has advised international insurers and reinsurers, focusing on energy and marine claims.
His main expertise in insurance relates to the energy transition, including renewable energy sources and industrial hydrogen production. His marine knowledge also spans war risks, mortgagee interest claims, and the detention of crewmembers and assets globally.
Wood, who joins as a senior associate, comes to the role with experience in advising London market insurers and reinsurers on energy insurance and complex international casualty matters.
Walkling and D’Andrea join DWF under the leadership of David Abbott, senior partner of insurance services and head of global risks. Abbott expressed enthusiasm for the new appointments, highlighting the value they bring to DWF's global risks team.
“We are delighted to welcome Gary, Franco, and Leah to DWF and expand our global risks team with their highly respected industry expertise," Abbott said. “They are key assets to help grow DWF’s offering, as we continue evolving and diversifying our energy, marine and casualty insurance practice.”
“Globally, energy insurance is a growing line of business due to on-going decarbonising efforts and the impact of climate change on energy security. Marine insurance also remains fundamental to our clients and more widely in the operation of global trade,” Abbott said.
In other recent developments, DWF has also bolstered its insurance division with the recruitment of disease and casualty specialist David Wynn as a new partner for the practice.
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