Clyde & Co enhances corporate insurance practice with new hire

He joins Clyde & Co from another global law firm, Norton Rose Fulbright. In his new role at Clyde & Co, he will be based in Melbourne and work closely with fellow partners Nicole Wearne, Ganga Narayanan, and Mark Attard – who moved to the firm’s Melbourne office from Norton Rose Fulbright in February 2020.

Commenting on his appointment, Ellis said: “I am excited to be joining Clyde & Co and working with our clients to find opportunities and success in what remains a challenging local and global regulatory environment. I share the firm’s strong commitment and focus on the insurance sector, and I look forward to building on its reputation as the world’s leading insurance law firm.”

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Clyde & Co’s global corporate insurance practice focuses on insurance transactions, including insurance business transfers and associated regulatory approvals.

Ellis is an addition to the law firm’s few corporate partners in Australia with deep related expertise and experience. His appointment follows the firm’s senior promotion spree in April that saw 13 appointments in insurance; five in projects and construction; three in energy, marine, and natural resources; and one in aviation. Additionally, his appointment is expected to grow the firm’s advisory and regulatory dispute practice and further strengthen its corporate and regulatory practice alongside Avryl Lattin and Dean Carrigan.

Lucinda Lyons, partner and head of insurance in Australia, said the new hire ensures that Clyde & Co’s leading practice is set up well to meet increasing demand.

“The regulation of insurance products has increased and will continue to do so, leading to greater demand for these services, across both front end, corporate, and regulatory advisory work and litigation and regulatory investigations,” Lyons said.

James Cooper, partner and chair of the global insurance practice, added: “This hire will further strengthen our global team and add to our already market-leading capabilities when it comes to advising insurance clients on their global operations.”