DAC takes back legal executive to head dept

Davies Arnold Cooper (DAC) is taking back one of its former legal executives from Kennedys to lead its shrinking motor unit.

Alan Jones is rejoining DAC to fill the void left by his former colleague Malcolm Henke, previously head of common law, who left the firm last month for Barlow Lyde & Gilbert. (The Lawyer, 17 April).

Jones leaves Kennedys after joining with the Zurich/Eagle Star insurance litigation team from defunct insurance practice Edward Lewis, in January

Nick Thomas, senior partner at Kennedys, says: "It's a shame that we did not get to know him better but good luck to him.

"They have made him an offer he can't refuse which I hope compensates him for the risk he is clearly taking."

It is understood that Jones left DAC two years ago.

One source says: "I am not surprised he has gone back. The whole insurance market is a seething mass of incest."

Jones is joining the firm as the motor unit is undergoing a period of transition.

DAC has also lost head of motor Simon Curtis, senior team leader David Pipkin and a host of assistants to Barlow Lyde.

Henke is also understood to be in the process of taking legal action against DAC for alleged breach of contract.

Last week, the firm suffered another blow as its media and defamation department, including department head Keith Mathieson, left to join to Reynolds Porter Chamberlain.