Amlin general counsel James Healy-Pratt is leaving the insurer to join niche litigation firm Stewarts as its new head of aviation litigation.
Healy-Pratt joined Amlin in 2000 as its first in-house lawyer, specialising initially in aviation insurance before his role broadened to encompass the insurer’s marine, property and casualty businesses.
He will build up an aviation litigation practice at Stewarts focused on acting for claimants in aviation accidents.
Healy-Pratt told The Lawyer: “There’s a real shortage of claimant aviation expertise, certainly on this side of the Atlantic. It’s something that I want to do, to act on behalf of victims of aviation accidents and their families.”
Stewarts managing partner John Cahill said the plan was to model the firm’s new practice on the hugely successful US plaintiff aviation firms. He added that the new department was part of the firm’s ongoing diversification into new markets.
As well as managing Amlin’s legal department, Healy-Pratt holds several other roles in the insurance industry, including being the chairman of the Lloyd’s Market Association Lawyers’ Forum. He has also been involved in a scheme to draw up new clauses in aviation insurance contracts.
Amlin declined to comment on Healy-Pratt’s departure or the search for his replacement.
