Wotton Kearney has been recognised as a Band 1 Insurance Law Firm in Australia and New Zealand in the 2023 Chambers Asia-Pacific rankings. This is the 11^th year in a row the firm has been recognised as a Band 1 firm in Australia. Fifteen of the firm’s senior lawyers were also individually rated, including three for the Shipping category.

Chambers says W+K is known for being a “well-regarded insurance powerhouse acting for major insurers on big-ticket disputes, including public and product liability, financial lines and professional indemnity matters”. The directory also shares client commentary, including: “Wotton Kearney provides quality advice and exceptional legal service. The team has a broad skill base, led by experienced partners invested in achieving positive outcomes for their clients” and “Wotton Kearney are always fantastic to work with. They have a real focus on getting the right outcomes and providing excellent service. They are particularly good at communicating and articulating complex and sophisticated matters”.

Along with the firm rankings, 15 W+K senior lawyers were individually ranked:

Australia

• David Kearney – again rated as an Eminent Practitioner, David is seen to “command great market respect.”
• Cain Jackson – again rated as Band 1, with a client reporting “Cain Jackson is quite exceptional when it comes to large D&O and financial institution matters. He really does think outside the square and comes up with interesting approaches to D&O.”
• Adam Chylek – is ranked again, with a client acknowledging “he has consistently strong performance with excellent work.”
• Andrew Moore – has again been ranked in Band 2, with a client saying: “He turns things around fast and advances in difficult circumstances when others might shy away. The ease of getting hold of him is really valuable to me.”
• Belinda Henningham – is acknowledged for “her expertise extending across a comprehensive range of both personal injury and property damage issues.”
• Naraya Lamart – is “praised by market commentators as an up-and-coming lawyer in the Australian shipping market”.

New Zealand

• Antony Holden – ranked since 2016, has one client say: “I value the trust, ability and openness to be able to work together. The strategy is important, and we all contribute. I just enjoy working with him.”

• Andrew Moore – ranked for the second year, with Chambers acknowledging he “is particularly noted for first-party property, construction and business interruption matters”.

• Caroline Laband – ranked in Band 2 for the fourth year, with a client saying: “Caroline is technically very sound and is an excellent litigator. She is always calm and considerate. We trust Caroline implicitly.”
• Jeanette Hayes (recently retired) – ranked for the 8^th year in Shipping, Jeanette is acknowledged for having “many years of experience advising on maritime insurance matters, including cargo damage and collision claims”.
• Mathew Francis – ranked since 2107, Mathew is described as being “incredibly knowledgeable, and his willingness to give his time so freely is hugely appreciated.”
• Misha Henaghan – ranked for the first time in the Up and Coming category, with one client saying: “She is incredibly practical and achieves commercially sound outcomes. I thoroughly enjoy working with Misha.”
• Neil Beadle – ranked for the 10th year in Band 1, Shipping. Chambers says: “He is particularly noted for his expertise in maritime health and safety issues. He also advises across a range of contentious matters, including marine liability claims.”
• Peter Leman – ranked for the 9^th year, with a client commenting: “His depth of knowledge, client empathy and understanding of our business are invaluable.”
• Sophie Lucas – ranked for the 2^nd year, with a client saying: “Sophie’s service is excellent… She can work through the most difficult matters and present them in a way that makes sense to everyone.”

To read the full commentary, visit the Chambers and Partners site.