This is a first of its kind move involving a Australia-based insurance and risk law firm
Wotton + Kearney (W+K) has made its Asia debut with the opening of an office in Singapore.
This is a first-of-its-kind move for an Australian-domiciled insurance and risk law firm, W+K said. CEP David Kearney described Singapore as “a regional hub for the global insurance industry”; the firm had initially announced the APAC expansion plan back in April.
Former Kennedys Singapore partner Ben Nicholson will head up the Asia practice as managing partner. He will be joined by partner Tom Morrison as well as senior associates Audrey Wong and James Sutherland, who comes from W+K’s Sydney office. Rounding out the Asia team will be associates Mantita Yeo and Nathaniel Loh, and team secretary Jane Lefort.
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Nicholson has tackled matters involving specialty risks, particularly property, energy, engineering, and infrastructure risks. He has worked across APAC, the UK, the Middle East and North Africa.
Morrison specialises in property, energy, and construction matters. He has provided policy coverage advice on disputes involving Industrial All Risk, CAR, advance loss of profit, delay in start-up, and business interruption.
He has also been involved in international arbitrations under HKIAC, ICC, LCIA, and SIAC Rules. Moreover, he has provided guidance on issues related to complex engineering losses in Asia, the Middle East and Africa.
The new team will support clients not just in Asia, but in the Middle East as well.
“Wotton + Kearney is a firm that has always looked for strategic growth opportunities and this significant move signals that the firm has now firmly set its sights on Asia and beyond. I am excited about joining this dynamic organisation at a time when it is looking at measured international expansion in a market where some traditional competitors are facing challenges”, Nicholson said.