Miller has widened its professional risks team with the arrival of after-the-event (ATE) insurance head James Gowen-Smith, who most recently served as professions director at Lloyd’s broker CKRe Limited.
“We’re excited to have James joining us at Miller,” said Ed Pickard, joint head of international professional and financial risks. “He brings with him an in-depth understanding of after-the-event insurance, and how it can empower claimants during litigation proceedings. I’m confident the clients of the solicitors and litigation lawyers Miller works with will greatly benefit from the peace of mind this product offers.”
Gowen-Smith’s credentials include time spent in the legal sector, with Allen & Overy and Simmons & Simmons, as well as his stint at Willis Towers Watson.
“James will be able to offer clients the benefit of his range of connections within the market to enable them to access this niche product,” added Pickard. “This new hire strengthens Miller’s position as a leading broker of professional, executive, and financial risks in the London market, and enables us to offer greater value to our clients.”
Meanwhile, Gowen-Smith cited the benefits offered by ATE insurance.
He noted: “Claimants face the financial exposure of having to pay an opponent’s legal costs in the event they are unsuccessful during legal proceedings. ATE insurance is an innovative product that enables litigation lawyers to help transfer the risk exposure of having to pay the other side’s legal costs in the event of an unsuccessful claim away from their client.
“By helping the claimant to minimise their litigation costs risk, it also sends a signal to larger, wealthier defendants that they cannot simply outspend a claimant and force them to settle. Miller’s specialist knowledge and market relationships sets it apart, and I’m looking forward to working with the team to provide great ATE and litigation finance solutions for clients.”
