London-based law firm RPC is expanding its global insurance platform through the launch of an international network.
The network, Global Access Lawyers, will include six firms from different countries, according to a report by The Global Legal Post. The network aims to give clients greater access to insurance law specialists in different international markets.
Firms in the network – in addition to RPC’s existing UK and Asia offices – include Australia’s Colin Biggers & Paisley; Canada’s Miller Thomson; the Netherlands’ Kennedy Van Der Laan; and France’s MHN & Partners. Global Access will also include Hinshaw & Culbertson, a Chicago-based firm that entered a formal partnership with RPC in 2019, The Global Legal Post reported. RPC said the success of the partnership gave the firm “confidence” to move forward with Global Access Lawyers.
The platform will have a combined force of 2,000 lawyers across 43 offices, with the goal of making jurisdiction-specific legal advice in different markets more accessible for insurer clients.
The firm said that a key driver behind the launch of the network was the London insurance market’s attraction as a “one-stop shop” for international client work.
Simon Laird, partner and global head of insurance at RPC, said the network will act as a “sounding board” for insurers.
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“In addition to the insight, we can provide our clients with access to the resources and capabilities of each firm in times of need, as well as continuing to work together on significant overseas and cross-border exposures,” Laird told The Global Legal Post.
Laird said that the member firms already have many of the same clients, and that the network will provide an opportunity to increase collaboration and referral work.
“It is the authenticity of it all that will end up being the most powerful force in delivering even better client services for insurers across the globe,” he said.
