Law firm to open new office with 36-strong insurance team

Global law firm Kennedys is continuing to grow in 2021, with the acquisition of Langleys’ insurance team.

The deal means Kennedys is opening an office in Leeds, the firm’s 12th in the UK and 42nd globally. The office will be headed by David Thompson formerly managing partner and head of insurance at Langleys.

He will be joined by partners Huw Edwards, Laura Collins and Carol Dalton along with 32 team heads, lawyers and staff from Langleys` Insurance Team.

Richard West, partner and head of liability, said: “Our new Leeds office grows our personal injury division, expanding our practice further with an experienced and well-regarded team whose culture fits closely with our own and whose business complements our existing capability in Scotland, Northern Ireland as well as in eight locations in England.

“I am delighted that David, Huw, Laura and Carol will join Kennedys Liability Division at a time of exciting growth and continued success.

“It has been a pleasure to get to know them, to regard them so quickly as our friends – and to receive such wonderful feedback from clients and the market about their move to Kennedys.

“Leeds is recognised as a hub for insurance work and we see real opportunities to expand our legal and claims handling team building further on David and his team’s significant client base which will benefit hugely from the breadth of Kennedys full-service insurance offering.”

Thompson added: “Kennedys has a first-class reputation in insurance, as well as an incredible global reach. The depth of the firm’s expertise, its culture and its market leading innovation through Kennedys IQ will be very attractive to our clients.

“It puts us in an excellent position to further grow our practice from our new base in Leeds.

“Many of our clients already work with Kennedys so I know that it is a move that our clients will very much support.”

Tim Cross, managing partner of Langleys, said: “While there is naturally some sadness in seeing our friends and colleagues leave the firm, this is a move that benefits everyone.

“It allows Langleys to focus on growing its core specialisms and explore new opportunities in the regions we serve, while also enabling the insurance team to benefit from being part of a larger, market-leading, international insurance firm.”

Nick Thomas, senior partner at Kennedys, said: “This latest office opening is part of our continued strategy of expansion in the areas that will benefit our clients most.

“Last year saw us continue to grow, achieving record turnover and opening new offices across the world.

“We intend to continue expansion in 2021 and the arrival of this well-respected team of insurance lawyers is a strong start to the New Year.”

The Leeds office will be located in 6 Queen Street, Leeds LS1 2TW.

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