The firm becomes the biggest of its kind in New Zealand
Wotton + Kearney (W+K) has brought on a team of insurance stars from DLA Piper in a move that makes the insurance law and dispute resolution firm the biggest of its kind in New Zealand.
The addition of partners Misha Henaghan, Caroline Laband and Peter Leman expands W+K’s partnership to a total of 14.
“Peter, Caroline and Misha and their teams share our passion for insurance law, and we warmly welcome them to W+K. With our combined team, we now offer market-leading expertise and unrivalled depth and breadth across all commercial insurance lines. I’m very excited about the value this will create for our clients as we meet their immediate and future needs,” W+K New Zealand managing partner Antony Holden said.
A seasoned veteran when it comes to litigation and dispute resolution, Henaghan has been ranked a Next Generation Partner in the 2021 Legal 500 Asia Pacific directory. With over 15 years in the field under her belt, she has tackled matters involving professional indemnity, such as disciplinary claims, and liability, including product and statutory liability.
She has acted on contentious matters for construction, financial services and healthcare professionals, and has advised insurers on coverage matters. She will be based in Auckland.
In a legal career spanning more than two decades, Laband has gleaned experience advising insurers and insureds, as well as companies and directors. Her work on contentious insurance matters has earned her a Chambers ranking.
She has handled financial services regulatory investigations and claims against directors; moreover, she has represented clients before the High Court, Court of Appeal, Supreme Court and arbitration proceedings. Like Henaghan, she will operate from Auckland.
Working from Wellington, Leman is an expert when it comes to coverage issues in property and liability classes. He often guides and acts for clients on material damage, business interruption, public and professional liability, and statutory liability claims.
The Chambers-ranked insurance litigator who boasts 35 years of experience will be working from Wellington.
Henaghan, Laband and Leman commence with W+K on 1 February.
