Kennedys strengthens New Zealand presence with Wellington expansion

Kennedys strengthens New Zealand presence with Wellington expansion | Insurance Business New Zealand

Legal Insights

Kennedys strengthens New Zealand presence with Wellington expansion

Team brings extensive experience in insurance and other areas

Legal Insights

By
Roxanne Libatique

Global law firm Kennedys has expanded its operations in New Zealand, establishing a second office in Wellington by integrating the team from Darroch Forrest, a specialist dispute resolution firm.

The addition took effect on Oct. 1.

Kennedys Wellington team

The Darroch Forrest team – led by partners Alistair Darroch (pictured left), Lauren Castle (pictured centre), and Ben Sanders (pictured right) – includes seven lawyers and two support staff, adding over 25 staff members to Kennedys’ New Zealand operations. The firm already has an office in Auckland.

Kennedys’ new Wellington team brings extensive experience in areas including insurance, commercial litigation, employment, health and safety, construction, and health law. These specialisations align with Kennedys’ insurance focus in the Asia-Pacific region.

Collaboration between Kennedys Wellington and Auckland teams

The Wellington team will work closely with the Auckland office, led by partners Kim Burkhart and Jess Keating, to strengthen national services and provide broader support to clients, including assisting with disputes, managing claims, and addressing risks in New Zealand and the Pacific region.

Commenting on the firm’s expansion, Burkhart acknowledged the long-term relationship between the Auckland team and the Darroch Forrest team.

“We have known and worked alongside the Darroch Forrest team for some time. Their proven experience and strong understanding of the local market make them the perfect fit to help Kennedys provide a truly national service through a second office in Wellington,” she said.

Darroch, co-founder of Darroch Forrest, expressed optimism about the transition.

“We know Kim, Jess, and the Kennedys New Zealand team well, and are excited by the opportunity to join together and share a new beginning with the wider Kennedys team,” he said.

Matt Andrews, Kennedys’ APAC managing partner, called the expansion part of the firm’s broader strategy to enhance its footprint in the Asia-Pacific region and to continue positioning itself as a key legal and risk advisor across the region.

“Expanding our New Zealand footprint and depth of talent in line with our core practices is another exciting chapter in Kennedys’ APAC growth story, and a strategic move towards our vision to be a leading legal and risk advisory for clients in the regions we serve,” he said. “I’m delighted to welcome Alistair, Lauren, and Ben and their team to Kennedys, and look forward to visiting our new Wellington home soon.”

These promotions follow the elevation of 17 partners earlier this year, bringing the firm’s partner count to 349.

Kennedys reported a revenue of £384 million for the 2023/2024 financial year, a 17% rise from the previous year. The firm’s growth has also been supported by international expansions, including the opening of its Fort Lauderdale office in the US and the addition of a 16-member team in Melbourne, Australia.