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Following the publication of Chambers Asia-Pacific and Chambers Greater China 2022, the firm has seen some impressive rankings in the latest guide to top law firms and lawyers across the region.
Kennedys has been recognised as a leading firm in eight practice areas in Australia, Singapore and Thailand across a number of key lines of business - insurance, shipping, dispute resolution, media, employment and financial services. Along with maintaining our top Band 1 ranking for 'Insurance (Singapore)', 11 Kennedys lawyers in the APAC region have been ranked within the guide.
They are market leaders - experienced people who know what they're doing.
Please see below for a full breakdown of the firm's rankings, editorials and ranked lawyers:
Insurance
What the team is known for
Kennedys pre-eminent insurance group in Singapore has a deep bench of experienced lawyers handling both insurance and reinsurance claims. They advise on the full range of insurance lines, including property and construction, energy and finance, with particular strength in aviation losses. The insurance and reinsurance team acts for a number of high-profile global insurance companies, as well as airlines and other clients from the aviation sector. Increasingly active on cybersecurity matters.
What the clients say
"They are market leaders - experienced people who know what they're doing."
"[They are] exceptional advocates."
Ranked lawyers
Ben Nicholson (Band 1)
"He's extremely knowledgeable and also very strategic."
Julian Wallace (Band 1)
"Enjoys a longstanding reputation as an esteemed market figure."
Peng Lim (Band 2)
"Peng Lim and her team have a combined expertise which far exceeds the other firms."
What the team is known for
Kennedys' noted contentious insurance practice houses an experienced group of insurance practitioners, handling claims that include property damage, medical malpractice, directors' and officers' liability and professional indemnity cases. They are regularly mandated by leading Thai and global insurers and reinsurers are well versed in claims relating to construction defects. They are also noted for their ability to collaborate with its other regional offices, particularly in Singapore and Hong Kong, along with regularly handling cases involving incidents overseas.
What the clients say
"[They possess] a wide-ranging knowledge about various laws, both international and local."
"Very popular in the insurance market"
"A really good insurance firm."
Ranked lawyers
Suraphon Rittipongchusit (Band 1)
"Very active and well known in the market."
Ian Johnston (Band 2)
"A solid insurance disputes lawyer."
- Insurance: Contentious (International Firms) (Band 1)
- Insurance: Non-Contentious (International Firms) (Band 2)
What the team is known for
Kennedys enjoys an excellent reputation across both contentious and non-contentious insurance. In the former, the department is recognised as a go-to group for coverage claims relating to professional liability and workers' compensation, and draws praise for its handling of complex litigation and arbitration. Also boasts notable experience of handling public and motor liability claims. In the latter, the practice is distinguished by frequent roles on regulatory and competition-related matters and has a strong track record on transactional work in the insurance sector. Its stellar client list includes many international insurers. Also receives a broad range of mandates to advise on complex clinical negligence claims.
What the clients say
"Kennedys has a very good reputation for medical negligence claims."
Ranked lawyers
Insurance: Contentious (International Firms)
Rupert Skrine (Eminent Practitioner)
"Highly regarded for his expertise in financial lines and professional indemnity claims."
Joanie Ko (Band 4)
"She has extensive experience on financial lines matters, and is also esteemed for her knowledge of directors' and officers' insurance."
Insurance: Non-Contentious (International Firms)
Richard Bates (Band 2)
"Leading partner of the firm's corporate and commercial group"
What the team is known for
Kennedys' insurance team in Australia is noted for their impressive regional and broader international reach, particularly to the London market, along with their strength in contentious work. They act primarily for insurer clients on a range of matters, covering all lines of insurance including risk management issues, D&O disputes and public liability claims. They operate in a wide range of areas, including the financial, corporate, construction, media and political sectors, and notably developing its profile in the medical malpractice space.
What the clients say
"I like their responsiveness. I know that if I send something I will get a call a few minutes later, and the whole team is very switched on."
"[Kennedys] get to the essential of what we need to know, providing just the right of detail; they're aware of what we need."
"They have a strong global presence that is still in a growth pattern, and we like to grow with them."
Ranked lawyers
Matt Andrews (Band 4)
"A real boost for Kennedys."
"He is very considered in his thinking and his excellent legal brain, the way he applies logic to his advice, and his readiness to provide an opinion ensure that you have a good level of confidence in him on complex claims."
Chris Finn (Band 4)
"Well liked by clients [and] really accurate and really thorough."
"It doesn't take him long to get a file and do what needs to be done."
Penny Taylor (Band 4)
"A good and definitely well-liked operator."
They have a strong global presence that is still in a growth pattern, and we like to grow with them.
Shipping
What the team is known for
Kennedys' respected team of lawyers in Singapore has particular strength in maritime litigation. They represent clients in contentious marine insurance matters and are especially active on cargo and charter party cases. In addition to their litigation prowess, the group is also skilled at handling arbitration matters. They regularly act for marine insurance companies, P&I clubs, shipowners and ship operators and are able to advise on both Singapore and English law matters.
What the clients say
"[They give] timely responses and are willing to go the extra mile to resolve issues."
"[Kennedys provides] practical advice."
Ranked lawyers
Nick Francis (Band 3)
"Excellent communication skills and deep knowledge of marine insurance."
Karnan Thirupathy (Band 3)
"Highly recommended."
Kennedys give timely responses and are willing to go the extra mile to resolve issues.
Dispute resolution
What the team is known for
Kennedys' litigation and arbitration team in Bangkok are especially strong in insurance, construction, real estate, aviation, fraud and medical malpractice cases, acting for international and Thai companies, as well as individuals. They are especially active on behalf of clients from the hospitality, insurance and transportation sectors. They handle both domestic and international arbitration from the Kennedys' Thai office, while also being able to draw on the firm's international offices for multi-jurisdictional cases.
What the clients say
"Kennedys are a great team and just excellent. They are transparent and really impressed with their services on a complex and urgent matter."
"The advice received was timely, succinct and clear."
Ranked lawyers
Suraphon Rittipongchusit (Band 2)
"[He is] amazing."
Dispute Resolution - Litigation (International Firms)
What the team is known for
Noted for its specialist expertise in the Hong Kong healthcare sector. Kennedys maintains a strong flow of work in this area, defending accountants, doctors and other professionals in major professional and clinical negligence disputes. Maintains an active regulatory practice, advising on investigations by a number of regulatory bodies. Has additional expertise in asset recovery and fraud mandates as well as contentious probate matters. Clients include industry bodies, professional services firms and insurers.
What the clients say
"Kennedys offers practical legal advice that can actually be adopted."
"They are knowledgeable, friendly and easy to work with."
"I find their services courteous, organised, knowledgeable, professional, and efficient."
Ranked lawyers
Rudy Chung (Up and coming)
"Understands the commercial element involved and can bridge the gap between cultural differences."
[Kennedys] get to the essential of what we need to know, providing just the right of detail; they're aware of what we need.
Media
What the team is known for
Kennedys maintains a noted profile in the media space, where it is particularly well known for its representation of some of the highest-profile figures from the worlds of politics, entertainment and sport in defamation litigation. They also advise across a wide range of related issues, including reputational risk, the protection of privacy and confidential information and support in connection with the posting of hostile material online or in social media.
Ranked lawyers
Patrick George (Band 3)
"Both technically and strategically sound."
Employment
Employment: Hong Kong-based (International Firms)
What the team is known for
Kennedys advises on redundancy programmes, employment contracts and handbooks, as well as bonus plans. Also handles a number of employment disputes, including wrongful dismissals, terminations, discrimination claims and internal investigations. Experienced with handling issues relating to data privacy and theft of confidential information by employees. Active across a range of industry sectors, including businesses in the finance and insurance sectors. Also represents senior executives from listed companies on a range of mandates.
Ranked lawyers
Emily Duncan(Band 2)
"Contemporary awareness of the current legal landscape"
Richard Bates (Band 4)
Financial Services
Ranked lawyer
Kevin Yam(Band 4)
A client appreciates "his experience with the issues we're facing," while also highlighting his Chinese language capabilities.
They are exceptional advocates.
Banking and finance
Insurance and reinsurance
Shipping and international trade
Australia
Singapore
Hong Kong