Kennedys says the firm has enhanced their professional liability capabilities with the appointment of four partners and two associates across three of their UK offices.

Quadruple hires

Professional indemnity (PI) specialist Paul Castellani, who will be based in the London office, joins from RPC where he has been a partner for ten years, an appointment which enhances their London market insurance practice. Joining the Birmingham office is a team of lawyers joining from DWF, comprising two partners, Paul Chaplin and Steve Oates, and two associates, Eliza Kwok and Scott Lawton. Mr Chaplin headed the Birmingham PI team at DWF prior to joining Kennedys. Completing the quadruple of partner hires, Helen Ager has been hired to head up the professional liability team the Taunton office, where she joins as partner from DAC Beachcroft. At Crutes Helen became a partner in 1997 and managing partner in 2005. In 2012, she oversaw the merger of Crutes with DWF.

Strategic moves

Nick Thomas, senior partner at Kennedys, says “These are significant strategic moves for Kennedys, bringing in market-leading lawyers to further strengthen our London and regional offering, which has always grown in response to client need.” Jeremy Riley, who heads Kennedy’s professional liability practice, says “I am delighted to welcome Paul, Helen, Steve and Paul to Kennedys. They are all a natural fit for the firm and their collective experience will significantly enhance our existing capabilities, making us an even more powerful professional indemnity team both nationally and regionally.”