Aviation: Insurance & Litigation

The London team of this US firm is led by four partners who concentrate on the reinsurance market, and on disputes over the interpretation and wording of technical policies.

The Lawyers: Much of the team’s current work is in arbitration and clients feel that such complex matters “truly speak to the talents” of Mark Meyer, who heads the team.

Clients/Work Highlights: Global Aerospace, Capita Commercial Insurance Services and Lloyds Syndicate 957.


Corporate Finance

Before its recent merger with a large US firm, this outfit was known as Kendall Freeman and drew warm praise for its work on transactions involving the insurance sector. Richard Spiller remains the prime contact for this team.

Clients/Work Highlights: That industry continues to provide the main highlights for the team, such as representing Bermuda’s Validus Holdings in the USD425 million acquisition of Talbot Holdings, and also advising the client on the UK aspects of its IPO on the NYSE. It is widely expected that the merger will only strengthen the firm’s reach and standing, allowing more access to both the US and Hong Kong markets.


Dispute Resolution

The 2008 merger of Kendall Freeman with US firm Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge has given this team a platform on both sides of the Atlantic. This is particularly useful for the work already carried out by the London office regarding the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, on both the advisory and investigatory sides. Clients note that the team has “some sharp teeth,” particularly when it comes to specialist insurance litigation.

The Lawyers: The “very conscientious” Kevin Perry heads the team’s commercial litigation group. He has been leading the team advising Hertfordshire Oil Storage as one of the lead defendants in the estimated £1 billion Buncefield litigation. In charge of the firm’s London office, Laurence Harris leads the London product liability team with his expertise encompassing advising leading companies, public sector bodies and individuals in complex commercial and public law litigation.

Clients/Work Highlights: Clients include Corus; Fulham Football Club; Harrods; Invensys; Astellas Pharma Europe; BAE Systems and the Government of Kenya.


Insurance: General Claims and Reinsurance

Kendall Freeman merged with, and now carries the name of, this firm - a move that analysts suggest “will give the insurance team a significant boost.” While previously something of a niche practice, the merger has radically increased its size, lent it a significant international dimension and appears to have attracted new clients.

The Lawyers: David Kendall is considered a “grandee of the market” for his consistently strong performance in all aspects of insurance and reinsurance law. The “clear and concise approach” of Mark Meyer, who is especially rated for his work on policyholder work, is widely respected in the tables.

Clients/Work Highlights: Swiss Re, for example, is calling on the firm to represent it in a very significant dispute in the English courts relating to historic asbestos exposures. The US dimension of the firm will no doubt precipitate clients and instructions from that corner as well, such as the major US insurer that the team is representing in a dispute with a large clearing bank resulting from the collapse of Enron.


Insurance: Non-contentious

The Firm: Kendall Freeman’s merger with this US-based firm promises new life and fresh opportunities: “The US link will no doubt inject some exciting business into the firm’s UK operations,” commented one market observer.

The Lawyers: Richard Spiller is “a leading light in corporate insurance,” and brings to the table his “wonderful knowledge and sensible legal values.”

Clients/Work Highlights: Recently the team advised Validus Re on its USD425 million acquisition of Talbot Holdings, and advised Sagicor Financial Corporation on its acquisition of Gerling at Lloyd’s. In addition, the group advised both parties on the part VII transfer of Integer’s remaining general reinsurance business to Centrewrite.


Public International Law

The Firm: Interviewees note the firm’s good global reach, and in particular its association with African countries. As one source pointed out: “The team’s African practice is bigger than the African work of many other firms put together.” It handles matters concerning international boundary and border disputes, and is singled out for its strengths in oil and gas boundaries.

The Lawyers: Timothy Daniel has excellent credentials in international courts work. Sources draw attention to his experience in Africa-related and boundary-related matters, and clients describe him as “an impressive lawyer with flawless knowledge and consistent sensitivity to the matters entrusted to him.” The “enormously experienced” Alan Perry has particular expertise in boundary matters.

Clients/Work Highlights: The group continues to act for the National Boundary Commission of Nigeria on the implementation of the 2002 ICJ judgment in a case concerning Nigeria and Cameroon. Other specialisms include international asset recovery work and advice to oil companies on multilateral and bilateral treaties and policy and regulatory issues.



Restructuring/Insolvency: Insurance Insolvency

The Firm: Kendall Freeman merged with Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge on 1 January 2008, resulting in the London insurance insolvency restructuring and run-off team becoming one of the largest transatlantic insurance law departments. The new team is “starting to make a splash,” according to peers.

Clients/Work Highlights: It is currently drafting the largest pool solvent scheme hitherto in the London Market and has had several instructions from creditors to oppose and negotiate with other scheme promoters due to the firm's international links with the USA and Canada.


Defamation/Reputation Management

The Lawyers: Commercial litigator Laurence Harris at Edwards Angell Palmer & Dodge UK LLP is singled out for his in-depth knowledge of media libel issues.


Fraud

The Firm: The asset recovery team continues to expand its activity on behalf of governments in developing countries, particularly in Africa and Asia, seeking to recover the proceeds of corruption.

The Lawyers: Laurence Harris, the partner in charge of the London office, is singled out for praise.

Clients/Work Highlights: In addition to continuing work for the governments of Nigeria, Pakistan and Kenya, the firm has in the past year been instructed by the government of Indonesia in relation to litigation against the family of former President Suharto.