Kennedys continues expansion in Southeast Asia with new hires and partner promotion

We have bolstered our Southeast Asia operation with the hire of partner Akramjeet Khaira and his team in Singapore and the promotion of Ian Johnston to partner in Bangkok.

Akramjeet joins our Singapore office from Kelvin Chia Partnership where he was head of the firm’s insurance litigation department. He becomes our 13th partner in Singapore, which has a team in excess of 70.

In Singapore, we operate as Kennedys Legal Solutions following the 2015 joint law venture agreement between Kennedys Singapore LLP and Singapore law firm, Legal Solutions.

With over 20 years’ experience advising on insurance matters, Akramjeet’s practice covers defence and subrogation including personal injury, property damage or loss and professional indemnity. He acts for both domestic and global insurers. He also has commercial disputes expertise relating to contractual, trade and employment disputes, as well as insolvency matters.

Moving with Akramjeet is associate, Nicholas Ng, a paralegal and two support staff.

In Bangkok, senior consultant Ian Johnston has been promoted to partner. Dual-qualified in Hong Kong and England and Wales, Ian joined Kennedys in 2004 and has worked for us in London, Singapore and Thailand. He advises on policy coverage for insurers and reinsurers, commercial arbitration for MNCs and liability matters for hospitals.

Commenting on his appointment, Akramjeet says: “I am excited to be joining Kennedys in Singapore and to be part of a global firm. I can see how my practice complements the firm’s strategy, and my team and I look forward to supporting global clients and working with the team to grow the insurance practice in Singapore.”