Global law firm Kennedyshas announced that partners Victoria Clucas and Bill Evans have moved from London to Dubai as part of the firm’s plans to strengthen its capabilitiesacross the Gulf and Middle East region.
Bill and Victoria are partners in the firm’s international Property, Energy and Construction group. The group is designed to facilitate a seamless sharing of expertise and experience across jurisdictions in response to client’s expectations.
Victoria is a prime example of the career opportunities offered at the firm. After joining Kennedys as a trainee in September 2009 she made partner in less than ten years, in May 2019. She is qualified in England and Wales and is recognised by the Dubai Legal Affairs Department as a Legal Consultant.
Victoria represents insurers and their insureds in the investigation and defence of a variety of international large loss matters, including public and product liability, energy, construction, political risks and property damage claims. Victoria also has extensive experience of advising on international insurance and reinsurance coverage issues.
Bill Evansjoined Kennedys in 2008 as a solicitor and was also promoted to partner in May 2019. He is dual qualified in Queensland, Australia (2006) and England and Wales (2010) as well as being recognised by the Dubai Legal Affairs Department as a Legal Consultant. Bill has been at the forefront of coordinating Kennedys’ global subrogated recoveries offering and working with insurers to organise their approach and maximise returns.
A seasoned litigator and dispute resolution practitioner, Bill predominantly acts for contractorsand insurers in substantial fire, flood and property damage claims.Bill also assists both insurer and corporate clients in resolving high value international disputesarising out of commercial contracts, construction projects and machinery supply contracts through arbitration, adjudication and litigation.
Nick Thomas, senior partner at Kennedys says: “This is a move that has been welcomed by our clients, who value the multi-jurisdictional capabilities of our staff across the Kennedys global network. It also demonstrates the strong focus we place on our people by providing them with global development opportunities. I am sure that Victoria and Bill will be just as successful working out of the Middle-East as they have been in London.”
Peter Ellingham, partner and head of the firm’s Dubai office says: “I’ve worked closely with Bill and Victoria throughout their Kennedys’ careers and I am delighted to welcome them to the Dubai office. Given the global nature of our firm, Victoria and Bill have already been working with clients across the region for a number of years and this move will only seek to strengthen the opportunities to work in partnership with our global clients, particularly those in our newly opened office in Israel, across the Middle-East and via our associate offices in India.”
The firm’s Dubai office opened in 2006. It provides advice to local and international clients on the challenges and opportunities they face throughout the Gulf Region, the Middle East, Africa and beyond.
Bill and Victoria join a diverse team of lawyers who are qualified in a number of jurisdictions, including Australia, England and Wales, Hong Kong, India, Lebanon and New Zealand.
Last month Kennedys announced further growth in the EMEA region as it was joined by all partners and staff offormer associate firm Zelichov, Ben-Dan & Co to create a new Kennedys office in Israel. It became Kennedys’ 40th office globally and second new office to open this year, following the opening of Kennedys’ first US West Coast office, in San Francisco in June. Soon after Kennedys also announced a new association with Canada’s leading national insurance specialty law firm, Dolden Wallace Folick LLP.