DWF has boosted its ranks in London with the hire of a four-partner team from Kennedys, the latest in a string of global hires by the firm since it delisted in 2023.

The London-based group includes the head of Kennedys’ marine practice, Chris Dunn, alongside Mark Lloyd, Jonathan Evans and Michael Biltoo. Dunn joined Kennedys in 2016 when it merged with boutique marine and shipping law firm Waltons & Morse, which he led as managing partner. 

The group specialises in marine insurance litigation including coverage disputes and recovery actions, charterers’ liability claims, reinsurance, commodities and international trade disputes. They bring extensive experience of ICC, LCIA and LMAA arbitrations. 

“Marine insurance is a globally significant market and a core area of focus for us,” said Matthew Doughty, CEO of DWF’s insurance services division, which houses 2,000 professionals globally. “These arrivals will add strength and depth to our offering. It also further demonstrates our commitment to building our resources globally, ensuring we have the right support in place for our clients, wherever that support is needed.”

The group is the latest in a string of senior hires by DWF since it delisted in October 2023 after accepting an all-cash offer from private equity firm Inflexion, which also holds a stake in legal rankings company Chambers & Partners.

The firm hit leading Australian independent Hall & Wilcox last November for nine insurance litigation partners, including team leaders Matt Curll and Rachael Arnold, which it followed up earlier this month with the hire of 53 professionals from the firm. The hires were part of strategic efforts to grow its presence in the country having scaled back its footprint in 2021 after the Covid-19 pandemic forced the firm into a series of cutbacks across its international network. 

In January DWF also merged with the insurance and litigation team of Quebec-based law firm Bélanger Sauvé, adding 28 people and establishing Montreal as its fourth Canadian office in the process. And in December it recruited the managing partner of Hogan Lovells’ Warsaw office alongside nine further corporate and commercial lawyers. 

A Kennedys spokesperson said: “We can confirm that a number of partners from our marine practice have decided to leave the firm. We thank them for their contributions over the years, and wish them all the best in their future endeavours.

“Our global marine practice, a team of approximately 100 people, and serving our clients across 16 offices in nine countries is led by Chris Zavos, Patrick Foss, Graeme Baird and Chris Chatfield in London. The team is fully committed as always to delivering exceptional legal counsel to our clients.”