We are pleased to again report a record turnover of £264m, an increase of 11% on the previous year (£238m).
Kennedys’ European offices reported exceptional growth, with revenue up 45% on the previous year. Latin America and North America also delivered double-digit growth.
We have increased the number of fee earners globally by 10%, taking the firm’s overall headcount to in excess of 2,300. The firm has made 25 partner hires in the last 12 months, strengthening its offices in Australia, Israel, Oman, the US and the UK.
In the UK, turnover was up 8.5% on the previous year to £151m. The rest of Europe reported turnover of £19m (up from £13.7m), APAC £41m (up from £38.5m), North America and Bermuda £46m (up from £40m) and Latin America £7m (up from £6.6m).
During the past financial year (May 2020 – April 2021), the firm continued its impressive expansion in response to client need with four new office openings and the formation of an association:
- At the height of the pandemic, Kennedys opened its first base on the West Coast of America, in San Francisco, with the addition of a four-partner team. This was closely followed by the firm’s first presence into Canada, with an association with the leading Canadian insurance law firm, Doldens.
- Other office openings saw all partners and staff of former associate firm Zelichov, Ben-Dan & Co create a new Kennedys office in Israel. As a result, Kennedys became the first global law firm to open in Israel with local lawyers practising Israeli law.
- At the start of this year, the firm opened an office in Leeds with the acquisition of a 36-strong insurance team from Langleys, and just last month, the firm opened its 43rd office in Perth, Australia with the arrival of a ten-strong team from Clyde & Co.
Global senior partner, Nick Thomas, says: “We continue to look to the future with confidence. Despite the challenges of the global pandemic, I am proud that we have continued to be able to offer our clients the support that they need. We’re hugely encouraged that we have continued to grow our reputation as an outstanding global legal services provider for insurance claims and coverage, and for dispute resolution. Alongside this, we have continued to further develop a successful and growing global commercial practice.
“When we released strong financial results last year, we were only a couple of months into the pandemic. We did not know what the year ahead would hold. So, these results serve as a testament to the incredible professionalism and hard work of our teams across the world. I couldn’t be prouder of their efforts to support our clients and each other over the past year.
“During the pandemic the Board took the decision to look after our people. We were one of the few firms not to make any redundancies, reduce hours, cut pay or avail ourselves of the Government’s furlough scheme. It gave me immense satisfaction to lead a partnership that chose to do this during what was a very challenging time.
“I am delighted that we have been able to continue to recruit and promote people, and will be honouring our bonus commitments. In a world that is complex and often uncertain, our global goal is to help our clients and ensure that they and our people can face the future with confidence.”