Clyde & Co has merged with Dallas insurance litigation specialist Tillman Batchelor, marking the latest evolution of the firm’s North American practice.  

The Dallas boutique’s name partners, Mark Tillman and Colin Batchelor, have joined Clyde’s new Dallas office as partners, along with six staff members.

Carolena Gordon, Clyde & Co’s senior partner, said: “Texas is an important market for our US and global insurance clients seeking coverage and defence services, and we are pleased to strengthen our team and southwest presence to serve them better.

“As our clients’ needs become more complex, this merger further reinforces our position as the leader in insurance coverage litigation in the US and globally.”

Tillman stressed the firm’s long-standing relationship with Clyde & Co, saying: “This merger was the natural next step for us, with clear synergies between our practices and clients.”

The firm serves US and international insurers and other corporate clients, specialising in defending first-party/bad faith insurance litigation, insurance coverage advice and advisory work.

Eileen King Bower, partner and chair of Clyde & Co’s North American board, said: “We are pleased to welcome our new Dallas colleagues to Clyde & Co. The group brings a strong record and reputation in trial and defence, insurance coverage disputes and a culture of client excellence that we value strongly.”

The firm opened its first North American office in New York in 2006 and now operates 19 offices across the US and Canada with more than 400 lawyers and just over 90 partners.

Last February the firm enhanced its Chicago presence by hiring a nine-lawyer team from Lewis Brisbois, led by partner Danny Worker, the former managing partner of that firm’s Chicago office.

The firm’s 2024 19-partner promotion round further boosted those lateral hires, which saw one promotion in Chicago, with the other US elevation in New York. It also reported a 10% increase in revenue for the 2023/24 financial year, reaching £845m, although the firm’s 2024 North American revenue share stayed virtually the same as in 2023 at 21.5%.

The Texan merger is a strategic move that aims to strengthen the firm’s overall insurance capabilities across North America while tapping into latent demand in the Lone Star State and encouraging client growth.