Davies Arnold rues two more losses as Reynolds swoops for insurance lawyers

DaviEs Arnold Cooper is losing a second batch of lawyers to Reynolds Porter Chamberlain, this time from its insurance/reinsurance department.

Partner Edward Smerdon and his senior assistant Simon Goldring are joining Reynolds this week, after practising at Davies Arnold for five and seven years respectively.

In May last year, Davies Arnold lost its entire media and defamation department to Reynolds, including the group head Keith Mathieson, partner Maddie Mogford and assistant Kirsty Watt.

One source says that the loss of both Smerdon and Goldring is a particular blow to the firm, since both are highly respected in the insurance and reinsurance field and were seen as the "next generation" of lawyers to rise through the ranks.

"They're both very talented," says the source. "Goldring had especially been earmarked for future partnership. He is strong academically but also has the ability to mix with clients."

Both lawyers act in contentious insurance and reinsurance matters, while Smerdon has a strong background in working for the Lloyd's market.

On his reasons for the move, Goldring says: "[Reynolds] has a very good reputation in that field, and that reputation is growing as it continues to expand. It's a happy ship."

Smerdon says: "We share common clients and they have a good reputation in this field."

Reynolds has a strong background in professional indemnity, and over the past couple of years has built up a strong practice in reinsurance - it recently won a place on NHSLA (the NHS Litigation Authority) panel.

Davies Arnold was unavailable for comment.