A global law firm has extended its reach to New Zealand, forming a “best friends” association with an Auckland boutique firm that specialises in insurance litigation.
Clyde & Co and Fee Langstone have agreed to work together, refer work to one another, and undertake joint marketing initiatives across the region under the new agreement.
“Our team has worked with clients on New Zealand-related matters for many years, so it's strategic to collaborate with a leading New Zealand law firm to be able provide a comprehensive service for clients with interests in New Zealand,” said Dean Carrigan, Clyde & Co’s Australia managing partner. “Fee Langstone is a natural fit for Clyde & Co and we all look forward to working closely with the partners and staff there in order to assist our respective and mutual clients.”
The London-headquartered firm said that it is entering New Zealand as the country’s economic growth continues to be driven by record net immigration and housing wealth gains. The nation's two-way trade with Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member states grew NZ$31bn in the last 10 years.
“New Zealand is a fast-emerging oil and gas producer with underexplored basins and significant petroleum potential. Oil and gas exploration and production has grown sharply in recent years and is now New Zealand's fourth largest export. The New Zealand insurance market is dominated by the domestic and Australian insurers, many of which Clyde & Co already has a working relationship with elsewhere,” it said.
Fee Langstone specialises in insurance lines such as directors’ and officers’ liability, professional negligence litigation, marine insurance, construction litigation, general policy coverage, and claims disputes. Name partners Philippa Fee and Craig Langstone have been working together since the late 1980s. Over the years, they have welcomed partners Pauline Davies, Cecily Brick, and Matthew Atkinson.
Fee said that the boutique is looking forward to providing their clients with access to the international Clyde & Co network. Langstone said that it made sense for an insurance-focused boutique like theirs to form ties with Clyde & Co, which is known around the world for its insurance work.
“Given the synergies between Clyde & Co and Fee Langstone, this agreement between the two firms will help to strengthen our presence in the region, while providing Fee Langstone with an international platform through the Clyde & Co network,” said Simon Konsta, Clyde & Co senior partner.
In the latest Global 100 list compiled by The American Lawyer, Clyde & Co ranked 62nd with a turnover of US$688.5m. The firm, which has nearly 2,000 lawyers, has 50 offices around the world. In the Asia-Pacific, the firm has offices in Beijing, Brisbane, Chongqing, Hong Kong, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpure, Melbourne, Mumbai, New Delhi, Perth, Shanghai, Singapore, Sydney, and Ulaanbaatar.
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