Fenchurch Law bolsters insurance disputes team in London with new hires
Fenchurch Law has announced the expansion of its coverage disputes team in London with two new hires; Jessica Chappell and Isabel Becker.
Jessica Chappell joins as a Senior Associate, bringing with her over eight years’ experience working across complex and high-value commercial litigation matters, including contractual and shareholder disputes, professional negligence claims, coverage disputes and claims against directors by liquidators. Jessica joins Fenchurch Law from Davis Woolfe where she was a Senior Associate, having previously held positions at Calibrate Law (Associate Solicitor) and Portner Law (Associate/Trainee Solicitor).
Isabel Becker joins Fenchurch Law’s Reinsurance & International Risks team as a Foreign Qualified Lawyer, having previously trained at Bach Langheid Dallmayr, a German law firm specialising in international insurance and liability. Representing insurers, Isabel worked on a number of claims related to Covid-19 business interruption and private health insurance. Isabel graduated from Heidelberg University with a Degree in law before moving to the UK in 2022 and achieving a Distinction in Insurance Law (LLM) at Queen Mary University of London.
The new appointments will bolster the business’ insurance disputes team, which was set up to provide improved access to justice for policyholders and their insurance brokers, when coverage disputes arise.
Managing Partner, David Pryce, commented:
“Jessica and Isabel both bring with them excellent legal and insurance knowledge with combined experience within the UK and international markets. Both will be invaluable in helping Fenchurch Law achieve its mission of levelling the playing field for policyholders.”
Jessica Chappell added: “First and foremost I was attracted to Fenchurch Law due to its excellent reputation within the legal insurance market and the team of experts I would have the opportunity to work alongside and learn from. But I was equally impressed by the business’ commitment to ensuring that when a dispute arises, the policyholder has the same advantage as the insurer, in an industry where traditionally this has not been the case. This purpose together with its forward thinking and unique values, drew me to Fenchurch from the start.”
Isabel Becker added: "I was drawn to Fenchurch Law by its excellent market reputation, as well as its inclusive and ambitious culture. I’m very excited to be working in an environment where I’ll have the opportunity to play an important role in helping the business achieve its growth objectives, whilst providing first-class legal support for policyholders.”
Fenchurch Law's Chiltern 50 Charity Walk
On the 23rd of September 2023, employees of Fenchurch Law will be taking on the challenge of the Chiltern 50.
The Chiltern 50 is a charity walk through the Chiltern Hills, a route that follows the Thames to Henley Bridge, then out into the picturesque countryside on Shakespears Way, Icknield Way, and Chiltern Way. The team will walk a total distance of 50km (31 miles), with over 900 metres of climb.
Fenchurch Law are proud to support MIND, a charity that's doing incredible work in destigmatizing conversations around mental health and providing essential support to those in need. By participating in this charity walk, we're actively contributing to a cause that resonates deeply with us.
Any donations would be very much appreciated, and if you’d like to donate, please just click on the following link: https://www.justgiving.com/team/fenchurchlaw
Stay tuned for updates on our official channels and social media platforms as we prepare to embark on this challenge.
Fenchurch Law bolsters insurance disputes team in London with three new hires
Fenchurch Law, the UK’s leading firm working exclusively for policyholders and brokers on complex insurance disputes, has announced the expansion of its team in London with three new appointments to its coverage disputes team; Michael Robin, Dru Corfield and Grace Williams.
Michael Robin joins as Partner, bringing with him over 45 years' experience in handling complex claims across the international insurance market. Michael joins Fenchurch Law from global legal services firm DWF, where he was Partner in the Professional Liability and Commercial Insurance Disputes team, and is well known in the insurance market as a founding partner of Robin Simon.
Dru Corfield joins as an Associate Solicitor from Elborne Mitchell LLP, where he was a Trainee Solicitor. Dru graduated from McGill University, Montreal, Canada with a degree in History and Political Science, before achieving a distinction in his LPC at BPP, Holborn.
Grace Williams also joins as an Associate Solicitor, from New Zealand law firm Robertsons, where she specialised in insurance litigation. Prior to this, Grace began her career at law firm Russel McVeagh as an Associate, after achieving a Bachelor of Laws with Honours First Class/Bachelor of Science (Genetics) from Otago University, New Zealand.
The new appointments will bolster the firm’s insurance disputes team, which was set up to help level the playing field between policyholders and their insurers, when coverage disputes arise
David Pryce, commented: “The demand for policyholder-focused insurance disputes specialists is growing all the time. We intend to continue investing in our team in order to continue to help policyholders challenge their insurers on a level playing field, when they feel their insurance claims have been incorrectly turned down, and Michael, Grace, and Dru are exciting additions to our market leading team”.
Michael Robin added: “I’m delighted to be joining such an exciting, growing team of insurance dispute experts at Fenchurch Law. I look forward to applying my in-depth knowledge of the global insurance market to helping support policyholders across the UK and internationally.”
Dru Corfield added: “I was attracted to Fenchurch Law because of the size, purpose and direction of the business. Despite being a fairly young firm, it has quickly established a very strong reputation within the insurance market for first-rate protection of policyholders’ interests. Fenchurch Law’s core values were also an important draw for me, its entrepreneurial culture is one in which colleagues are empowered to think outside the box to get the best possible results for their clients.”
Grace Williams added: “I wanted to work at a firm which focused solely on insurance law. I am excited to work alongside solicitors that are experts in their field and to assist policyholders with coverage disputes.”
Fenchurch Law boosts insurance disputes team with double hire
Fenchurch Law, the UK’s leading firm working exclusively for policyholders and brokers on complex insurance disputes, has announced the expansion of its team with two new appointments to its Leeds office; Catrin Wyn Williams and Chloe Vine.
Catrin Wyn Williams joins as an Associate Solicitor, bringing with her experience of representing insurers in a variety of areas includingProperty Damage and Professional Indemnity. Catrin was previously a solicitor at BLM, and experience of working in house at Hiscox
Chloe Vine joins as a Trainee Solicitor from a nationwide insurance broker, where she was the Group Claims Technical Manager. Chloe has experience handling all aspects of insurance claims, including taking the lead in relation to coverage disputes.
The new appointments will bolster the business’ team in Leeds, which was set up to support the insurance broking community in the North of England, and their policyholders.
Daniel Robin, Senior Associate and Head of Leeds Office commented:
“In a short space of time we have built the leading policyholder practice in the North of England, providing the same high quality specialist services as our colleagues in our City office. Catrin and Chloe come from different professional backgrounds, but both bring with them an excellent combination of insurance and legal knowledge that will be invaluable in our mission to level the playing field for policyholders.”
Catrin Wyn Williams added:
“Fenchurch Law impressed me from the outset; not only for their commitment to assisting policyholders in challenging coverage disputes, but also for their progressive and unique values. For me, this set Fenchurch Law apart from other law firms.”
Chloe Vine concluded: “I was attracted to Fenchurch Law for their policyholder-focused approach. Having worked for insurance brokers’ previously, this company mission really resonated with my own ambition to better equip policyholders in disputes with insurers.”
Fenchurch Law launches new Reinsurance and International Risks practice
Fenchurch Law, the leading UK legal firm working exclusively for policyholders and brokers on insurance coverage disputes, has launched a new practice group focused on Reinsurance & International Risks. The new group will focus on representing non-UK policyholders in complex and high value insurance disputes under policies placed either directly into the London Market, or placed locally and then reinsured, into the London Market.
Led by the firm’s Managing Partner, David Pryce, the new practice group will also take instructions from captives, and from non-UK insurers which have coverage disputes with London Market insurers.
Commenting on the launch of the new practice group, managing partner, David Pryce explained:
“The London Market has a long and well-established reputation for paying claims. However, it is a fact of business life that occasionally disagreements do arise between policyholders and insurers, particularly when losses are large.
“We’ve launched this new dedicated practice group to reflect the increasingly international nature of our work, which is itself a reflection of the way the London Market continues to be a global leader in writing bespoke and complex risks. In doing so, we’re furthering our purpose of levelling the playing field between policyholders and their insurers, not just in the UK, but across the world”.
Visit the Reinsurance & International Risks page for more information.
Fenchurch Law expands property coverage disputes team
Fenchurch Law, the leading UK firm working exclusively for policyholders and brokers on complex insurance disputes, has appointed Nicola Bowen as an associate in its Property Risks practice group.
Nicola has spent a number of years working in insurance litigation with a specific focus on property related matters. She has acted for leading insurers on first party and liability claims disputes and complex defendant matters. She has also acted jointly for insurers and their insureds in a number of large subrogated recovery actions.
Nicola joins Fenchurch Law from BLM, where she was a solicitor in their property damage team and was previously a property damage solicitor with DAC Beachcroft.
Joanna Grant, partner and head of the Property Risks group practice at Fenchurch Law, said: We are delighted to welcome Nicola whose dedicated property damage litigation experience expands the coverage disputes capabilities the team can offer our clients.”
Nicola Bowen is an associate at Fenchurch Law
Fenchurch Law expands coverage dispute team with Le Marquer appointment
Fenchurch Law, the leading UK firm working exclusively for policyholders and brokers on complex insurance disputes, has appointed Aaron Le Marquer as partner expanding its capabilities and international expertise.
Aaron specialises in insurance disputes for policyholders with a focus on product liability and recall and complex international losses. His experience extends to all commercial lines of business and he has handled many significant London market losses and represented manufacturers and insurers in high-profile cases in the tobacco, automotive, consumer electronics, pharmaceutical, and medical device sectors.
He joins Fenchurch Law from Tilleke & Gibbins, a leading Southeast Asian regional law firm, where he established a leading insurance practice and subsequently became a partner based in Thailand. Previously, he was assistant general counsel for Asia Pacific with AIG in Singapore. He originally trained and practised as an insurance and product liability lawyer with City and US firms based in London.
Managing Partner of Fenchurch Law, David Pryce said: “The start of 2020 marks a period of growth in our capabilities. Aaron is recognised for his insurance disputes work in Asia and now brings this substantial experience acting for policyholders and brokers on large scale and complex claims disputes together with strong insurance industry expertise and multi-jurisdictional experience. There is no doubt both Fenchurch Law and our clients will benefit significantly from his appointment. We will be making further announcements about the expansion of our team in the coming weeks.”
Fenchurch Law launches "The Associate Series"
Fenchurch Law’s new initiative, The Associate Series, is being launched with a view to sharing our knowledge and experience of coverage disputes with junior-mid level brokers. In doing so, we hope to enhance brokers’ ability to add value to their portfolios.
Fenchurch Law are specialists in coverage disputes. We act exclusively for policyholders and work shoulder-to-shoulder with (and never against) brokers.
The associates, whose specialisms span across a number of classes of insurance, are now sharing their expertise to assist junior-mid level brokers and claims handlers in their own careers. The associates are well-placed to do so as coverage specialists with prior experience as either brokers or insurer-side lawyers.
The Associate Series will enable us to share our knowledge and encourage you to cultivate relationships. Talks are being delivered to brokers across the UK between now and Christmas, with more seminars being planned for 2020.
The (free!) talks will be no more than 30 minutes each and focus on practical issues affecting the junior-mid tier. The fact that the talks are being delivered by your peers will, it is hoped, allow for relaxed interactive sessions.
The menu of talks will be regularly updated to reflect market developments but retain some core topics. The current menu is:
- Notification
- Coverage Disputes 101
- Damages for late payment
- A claims handler, broker and lawyer’s perspective
- Property Risks
- Third Party Rights against Insurers
- D&O
- Combustible cladding
- Contractors and traps for their brokers
Some of these talks will also be the subject of webinars, and there will be regular blogs looking at issues and trends in the market. Keep an eye out for our events and material!
If you have any queries about The Associate Series please contact James Breese on 020 3058 3075 or via james.breese@fenchurchlaw.co.uk.
Fenchurch Law adds Goodship to Construction Risks team
Fenchurch Law, the leading UK firm working exclusively for policyholders and brokers on complex insurance disputes, has appointed Rob Goodship as an associate further expanding its coverage dispute team capabilities.
Rob specialises in insurance disputes and has considerable experience in property damage, construction and professional indemnity coverage issues. He joins Fenchurch Law from Kennedys where he was an associate in their property, energy and construction team.
He has acted for several leading insurers in relation to coverage disputes across a broad range of first party and liability claims, as well as defending claims against professionals. He has also acted jointly for insurers and their insureds in a number of large subrogated recovery actions.
Managing Partner of Fenchurch Law, David Pryce said: “Rob is an experienced insurance litigator and his background in advising both insurers and insureds in coverage disputes in some of our core business areas, makes him an important addition to what is the UK’s largest team of policyholder–focused insurance disputes solicitors”.
Rob Goodship is an associate at Fenchurch Law
Fenchurch Law expands coverage dispute team with triple hire
Fenchurch Law, the leading UK firm working exclusively for policyholders and brokers on complex insurance disputes, has made a trio of hires to further increase the capacity of its coverage dispute team.
Laura Steer joins as a Senior Associate from Holman Fenwick Willan (HFW). She was recently seconded by HFW to Marsh where she was responsible for handling complex coverage disputes for policyholders. Laura has extensive experience in representing policyholders, insurers and reinsurers in complex and high value, insurance and reinsurance coverage disputes. She has a particular focus on energy and property risks but has a broad range of experience across many classes of business in the energy, property damage, business interruption, marine hull and machinery sectors.
James Breese joins as an Associate and will draw on his varied background to advise clients on the best tactical approach to resolving disputes. James has considerable experience in insurance disputes, litigation and regulation and joins from Clyde & Co where he acted for insurers. He also previously worked for a Medical Defence Union mutual in a claims handling role.
Daniel Robin also joins as an Associate. Daniel has experience of working for the London insurance market in most aspects of the commercial insurance industry as a panel solicitor for insurers, as an insurance broker, and as an insurance claims handler. He has direct experience in advising policyholders on insurance disputes in relation to a range of insurance policies including professional liability, property damage, commercial combined policies and financial lines policies. Daniel joins Fenchurch Law from DWF.
Managing Partner of Fenchurch Law, David Pryce said: “We are continuing to invest in the growth of what is already the UK’s largest team of policyholder – focused insurance disputes solicitors. Fresh from retaining our Tier one ranking in the Legal 500, and being described as a “genuine leader in our field, we’re excited about the range of skills and experience that Lauren, James and Daniel will bring to our clients”.