Kennedys hires six to boost insurance

Rapidly expanding City firm Kennedys has recruited six lawyers in a drive to build up its existing insurance litigation practice.

The firm has recruited three partners from Dibb Lupton Alsop, a partner from Lawrence Graham and two lawyers from Lloyd Cooper.

Christopher Sharrock, Christina Jabri and senior assistant, David Sullivan, will join Kennedys from Dibbs' London office in April.

Partner John Graham joins from Lawrence Graham, while Laurence Gilford and Michael Lawrence join from four-partner firm, Lloyd Cooper.

Senior partner Nick Thomas says: "These most recent lateral hires are part of our ongoing programme to provide insurers and other commercial clients with the most comprehensive dispute resolution service available in the UK market."

Thomas says the insurance industry is shrinking and clients are becoming increasingly selective. They prefer to use specialists who are tending to gather under one roof.

Dibbs managing partner, Nigel Knowles, says: "We view the departures as a consequence of the developments that have occurred in the insurance group, which are consistent with our overall strategic planning process."

Peter Lloyd-Cooper, who founded the firm Lloyd Cooper in 1983, says: "It's a sign of the times as the insurance industry is becoming more concentrated and clients are placing work with the larger firms."

Kennedys acts for more than 100 insurance companies.