Clyde & Co looks to DWF for product liability expansion

Global insurance-focused law firm Clyde & Co has expanded its product liability offering with a string of new hires from DWF.

The company has appointed Peter Barnes and Charlotte Kelly as partners in its global insurance practice. They join from DWF, together with 17 team members.

The team focuses on product liability arising from property, construction, aviation, energy, mining, motoring and manufacturing risks. They have particular specialism in the Japanese motor manufacturing, heavy manufacturing and energy sectors. They will join Clyde & Co’s Insurance, Financial and Professional Disputes practice, and will also work with the firm’s aviation and casualty practices.

Barnes is a dual-qualified solicitor and barrister. His insurance practice is diverse, he advises in respect of coverage under primary and excess/umbrella liability and reinsurance policies. He specialises in high severity events in the UK and internationally under public, product and pollution liability (re)insurance covers. His practice has a strong focus on product liability and his clients are based in the London Market, Japan, the US and Europe.

Kelly is an insurance and reinsurance specialist with experience advising the London Market and international insurers and reinsurers on complex coverage and (re)insurance disputes. She also defends claims with a focus on product liability in the spheres of property, manufacturing, life sciences, energy, retail, motor and aviation amongst other areas.

Neil Beresford, partner at Clyde & Co said: “Peter’s and Charlotte’s specialism in Japanese risks, and their focus on Japanese manufacturing and other specialty areas, further expands our product liability offering, which is already unique in its global reach and sector coverage. We look forward to welcoming them and their team to the firm.”

Barnes said: “We are thrilled to be joining Clyde & Co’s leading global insurance practice and look forward to supporting and developing Clyde & Co both domestically and internationally."

James Cooper, chair of Clyde & Co’s global insurance practice, added: “Our investment in this 19-strong team proves the commitment to our offering in the product liability space. The hires align with our strategy to offer insurers the depth and breadth of support across business lines and regions they are looking for. We keep assessing clients’ needs and have therefore continued to grow our wider offering in the UK insurance market, including through our merger with BLM in July this year.”

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