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Kennedys continues to grow in the EMEA region as we are being joined by all partners and staff of former associate firm Zelichov, Ben-Dan & Co to create a brand new Kennedys office in Israel. It becomes our 40th office globally and second new office to open this year.
Zelichov, Ben-Dan & Co, one of Israel’s leading insurance law firm, has had an association with Kennedys since November 2018. The move will see Kennedys become the first global law firm to open in Israel with local lawyers practising Israeli law.
Former Zelichov and new Kennedys Israel managing partner Zvika Zelichov, partners Chaim Zelichov, Yaron Ben-Dan, Inbal Atias and their team of 14 act for many global and domestic insurers, risk management companies, government organisations and healthcare providers.
They specialise in disputes relating to construction and engineering, energy, cyber, D&O, motor, employers’ liability, product liability, professional liability, public liability, medical malpractice, property damage and, recently, Covid 19 related matters. The team have experience in local Israeli insurance related and commercial arbitrations, as well as handling arbitrations in international institutions such as The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and The London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA).
The Israeli economy has grown substantially over the last two decades, resulting in an estimated GDP of around $390bn in 2019. Israel also has the largest number of NASDAQ-listed companies, after the US and China.
Nick Thomas, senior partner at Kennedys, says: “The Israeli insurance market is large and mature, with a number of domestic financial conglomerates. Most large risks are reinsured overseas, often directly into London and the US. As such, Israel is a natural marketplace for us and our clients. I am delighted to welcome the former Zelichov, Ben-Dan & Co team into the Kennedys family, especially at a time when we look forward to exploring many new opportunities arising from the Peace Agreement between Israel and the UAE, where Kennedys already has a thriving office”.
“Creating a full Kennedys office in Israel also delivers on our global strategy of growing our capabilities based on client need. This approach has seen Kennedys continue to thrive, invest and expand in key markets despite the global uncertainty caused by Covid-19.”
Ben Aram, head of Corporate and Commercial and head of Kennedys’ London based Israel Desk, says: “Our association with Zelichov has been very successful, enabling us to offer our global clients strong litigation and dispute resolution services in Israel, and advising on local as well as cross-border insurance coverage issues and claims defence work. There is clear demand from our global client base for a one-stop service. Joining up with the Zelichov team, whom we have been working with closely for many years, offers great potential for developing our practice in the region further.”
Zvika Zelichov, Israel managing partner: “Our association with Kennedys has seen significant instructions flow both ways from London, US, Germany and local insurers as well as instructions on English law commercial disputes and London-seated arbitrations involving Israeli corporates. Joining Kennedys means our clients will now fully benefit from the firm’s expertise and global reach to receive seamless access to cross-border advice and services. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed our fruitful association and we are delighted to be formalising our relationship and becoming part of Kennedys terrific global partnership.”
The move is the latest development in Kennedys’ continued global expansion which this year saw the firm report a record turnover of £238m, a 9% increase on the previous 12 months. It follows the opening of Kennedys’ first US West Coast office, in San Francisco in June this year and a new association with Canada’s leading national insurance specialty law firm, Dolden Wallace Folick LLP, announced in July.
The new office will continue to be based in Herzliya, part of the Tel Aviv metropolitan district.
Israel