Global law firm Kennedys has added the Bermuda office of Sedgwick Chudleigh Ltd joining their global network. The Bermuda law firm was previously associated with US law firm Sedgwick LLP. The addition of this latest office makes Kennedys the first 'onshore' global firm to establish a presence in Bermuda and the firm will be called Kennedys Chudleigh. The move follows shortly after six former Sedgwick partners joined Kennedys CMK's New York and Chicago offices, including a US-based team which focuses primarily on servicing the Bermuda Market.

Dispute resolution

Mark Chudleigh will continue to lead the office in Bermuda. A dispute resolution specialist, with a strong emphasis on insurance matters, Mr Chudleigh has particular expertise in dealing with arbitrated insurance coverage disputes. He also provides coverage and claims services to the London and US insurance markets having spent 18 years working at leading firms in London and having been admitted as a US lawyer since 1998. Partners Alex Potts and Nick Miles and associates Neil Thomson and Caitlin Conyers will be part of the operation with further growth planned for the Bermuda office in due course.  

Natural fit

Nick Thomas, senior Partner of Kennedys, says: 'The Bermuda team is one of the premier litigation and insurance law firms locally and, therefore, a natural fit with Kennedys’ global network. This arrangement provides us with the opportunity to service clients in Bermuda, the United States and the UK, as well as our numerous other locations globally. It significantly augments our global insurance practice and puts us in a class of one amongst insurance law firms.Our New York, Chicago and London lawyers have worked with Mark and his team and, together, we all represent some of the world’s largest insurers.'

Offshore work

Commenting, Mark Chudleigh said: 'Kennedys, quite rightly, has a reputation as one of the leading international litigation and insurance firms, a status that is underscored by the merger earlier this year with US firm, Carroll McNulty & Kull, as well as recent office openings in Latin America and Paris, among other locations. We handle a significant amount of off-shore work so Kennedys global reach and similar client base is terrific for us.' He added that Kennedys' interest in Bermuda as an international financial centre was also 'a very welcome development for the country as a whole, as the jurisdiction looks to attract new business and investment opportunities involving many of the countries in which Kennedys operates.'

Office openings.

This latest development follows significant global growth for Kennedys this year with office openings announced in Bangkok, Melbourne, Mexico City and Paris. In June, the firm announced the completion of its merger with leading US insurance law firm Carroll McNulty & Kull, creating a global insurance practice.