International law firm Locke Lord has expanded its global insurance and reinsurance practice with the addition of two highly regarded lawyers in the insurance and reinsurance industry. Partners Damian Cleary and Gavin Coull have decades of experience in dispute and coverage-related aspects of non-marine and non-life property and casualty underwriting and claims, and the duo adds depth to the Firm’s capabilities in its well-established direct insurance and reinsurance groups.
Locke Lord opened its expanded London offices in February, and at the time Firm Chair Jerry Clements said a key priority was also adding a lateral insurance team to complement the well-regarded U.S. practice. “This follows our strategic plan and quickly adds to our full-service international capabilities,” she said in making this announcement. Cleary and Coull join Locke Lord from Steptoe & Johnson LLP, and will be joined by associate Helena Coates.
Cleary has established an excellent reputation handling insurance and reinsurance matters for the Lloyd’s and London companies markets. His work in advising insurers and reinsurers in non-marine disputes has a particular emphasis on risks concerning accident and health, property/BI, onshore energy and engineering, and After the Event (ATE)/legal expenses delegated authority. Cleary has also developed a significant reputation on issues surrounding Business Interruption insurance since successfully acting for insurers in the Orient Express Hotels case.
Coull has years of experience advising the London insurance and reinsurance market, including Lloyd’s and other companies and international carriers, particularly in Bermuda. His extensive experience in dispute resolution and coverage advice includes both treaty and facultative business and complex international direct business, across a range of non-marine classes including property, engineering, pharmaceutical and binding authority issues. He advises on matters of fraud and has experience obtaining and enforcing freezing injunctions and search and seizure orders and has acted as court-appointed supervising solicitor.
“The addition of Damian and Gavin to our London office strengthens and diversifies an already strong international insurance and reinsurance team and adds considerable bench strength to our practice,” said Nick DiGiovanni, Chair of Locke Lord’s Global Insurance and Reinsurance Practices and a Member of the Firm’s Executive Committee. “Not only are they an excellent fit for our Firm’s strong collaborative culture, but they will be part of our continuing efforts to further build our Insurance/Reinsurance platform to better serve clients in the London and European insurance markets.”
This falls on the heels of last week’s announcement that Employment Lawyer Sarah Linton joined Locke Lord’s London office as a Partner. Linton headed the UK Compensation, Benefits and Employment Practice at Dewey & LeBoeuf. Also joining with Linton is Grace Man.
