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”.
Fenchurch Law awarded Investor In Customers “Gold” Award for client experience
Fenchurch Law, the UK's leading firm of policyholder-focused insurance dispute lawyers, have achieved a ‘gold’ award from the independent Investor in Customers (IIC) assessment process for a second year running.
Comments from clients included:
“You receive a proactive, knowledgeable and professional service better than any competitor.”
“My dealings with the firm were extremely professional and the key contacts and partners were always approachable. These points are invaluable to me.”
“In all of my interaction with Fenchurch Law they make me believe that my concern / issue is right at the top of their pile. They listen and respond within a reasonable period of time (not too quick otherwise I'd fear they haven't considered it properly!).”
“I feel this team is a true example of a modern law firm where client care and results are at the forefront of everything it does.”
“We brokers know how to deal with most claims, but we sometimes need expert help when the insurer is being difficult. We are comforted to know that Fenchurch Law are right behind us and our clients to provide the legal guidance and advice when required.”
IIC is an independent assessment organisation that conducts rigorous benchmarking exercises. These exercises determine the quality of customer service and relationships across several dimensions, including how well a company understands its customers, how it meets their needs and how it engenders loyalty. IIC also compares the views of staff and senior management to identify how embedded the customer is within the company’s thinking.
Sandy Bryson, Director at IIC, commented: “Fenchurch Law has recorded another exceptional assessment score of its client experience, resulting in our Gold award for the second consecutive year. Not only that, the individual results from all 4 audiences who completed the assessment questionnaires: their clients; their employees; senior managers and IIC, were also rated as a “Gold”. I am delighted for David and his team. These results are testimony to the absolute commitment from the whole Fenchurch Law team to put their clients first. Furthermore, they will be implementing the insights from this years’ assessment to continue improving their client experience.”
David Pryce, Managing Director at Fenchurch Law added: “Providing an exceptional service is extremely important to us, but we know that we can always do better. That’s why we use the IIC process. To understand what we can improve, and to make sure that these improvements do happen”.
Fenchurch Law recognised for claims dispute expertise with tier one ranking in Legal 500
Fenchurch Law, the leading UK firm working exclusively for policyholders and brokers on complex insurance disputes, has received a tier 1 ranking in the latest Legal 500, marking an important milestone in the firm’s commitment to improving policyholder outcomes.
David Pryce, managing partner, said: “From the very launch of the firm seven years ago, our aim has been to provide insurance policyholders with access to the same levels of legal expertise and support that insurers have in dealing with complex claims disputes.
“To be recognised for both our policyholder litigation expertise and our client-focused ethos is testament to the commitment of the team to ensuring there is a level playing field in the resolution of disputes.”
“This recognition also comes in no small part thanks to the support and shared commitment of the insurance broking community to improving outcomes for policyholders. We will continue to work with them to develop our services and capabilities to reflect the evolving needs of policyholders to support their clients through complex disputes.”
Legal 500 recognised the Fenchurch Law team’s legal and policyholder litigation capabilities and expertise and its client-focused ethos. David Pryce was recognised as a leading individual in insurance litigation and partners Daniel Brooks and Amy Lacey were also rated as next generation lawyers.
Fenchurch Law continues expansion of insurance claims disputes capability with Hunter appointment
Fenchurch Law, the leading UK firm working exclusively for policyholders and brokers on complex insurance disputes, has further expanded its team of specialist claims dispute lawyers with the appointment of Tom Hunter as an associate.
Tom joins the Fenchurch Law team with experience in financial lines claims defence work and coverage issues including advising on professional indemnity, D&O, E&O and banker’s blanket bond claims. In addition to supporting clients of the firm’s financial & commercial risks practice, he will also work on coverage disputes for clients of their professional risks and construction risks practices.
Managing Partner of Fenchurch Law, David Pryce said: “Tom’s appointment continues the expansion of our coverage dispute capabilities. His experience and knowledge of the financial lines space further strengthens our ability to deliver exceptional service to policyholders and their brokers.”
Tom joins from Reynolds Porter Chamberlain (RPC) where he was an associate in their professional and financial risks group. During his time with RPC he was seconded to Arch Insurance Europe, where he worked within their third-party claims team.
Fenchurch Law strengthens professions insurance disputes capabilities with Rosenfield hire
Fenchurch Law, the UK’s leading firm working exclusively for policyholders and brokers on complex insurance disputes, has announced the appointment of Alex Rosenfield as an associate.
Alex joins Fenchurch Law’s profession team utilising his experience of property damage, business interruption and professional indemnity claims to represent a broad range of professionals including accountants, insolvency practitioners, solicitors, IFA’s and surveyors in claims disputes.
David Pryce, managing partner of Fenchurch Law, said: "Alex brings the team a solid grounding in coverage disputes. His experience both within the Lloyd’s and London market and in acting for policyholders, adds further strength to the capabilities of our professions team.”
Alex joins Fenchurch Law from Elborne Mitchell LLP where he was an assistant solicitor. He trained at Manchester-based BPS Law LLP which provides policyholder coverage representation.
Fenchurch Law appoints Morris to strengthen financial lines insurance disputes team
Fenchurch Law, the UK’s leading firm working exclusively for policyholders and brokers on complex insurance disputes, announces the appointment of James Morris as senior associate.
In his role, he is specialising in representing policyholders with coverage disputes arising from financial lines insurances including professional indemnity, D&O, crime, cyber and warranty & indemnity.
David Pryce, managing partner of Fenchurch Law, said: "James brings to the team important experience from across the insurance industry including legal advisory work to insurers, adjusting major losses for an insurer and performing in-house advocacy for a leading insurance broker. His background and understanding adds further strength to our financial lines capabilities.”
James joins Fenchurch Law from JLT Specialty where he was legal and technical advocate, financial lines group. He spent a number of years at City law firm RPC where he was an associate in their financial risks practice. While in his role at RPC James was seconded to AIG’s financial lines claims team, where he adjusted both major and complex claims and losses.
James also sits on the British Insurance Law Association’s Under 35s Committee.
Fenchurch Law boosts insurance disputes team with three new appointments
Fenchurch Law, the UK’s leading firm working exclusively for policyholders and brokers on complex insurance disputes, announces the expansion of its team with three new appointments.
Joanna Grant joins as a partner in the firm’s financial and commercial practice. She was previously senior associate at Allen & Overy. Her broad experience in complex multi-jurisdictional proceedings and arbitrations includes acting for financial institutions and global corporates in high-value commercial coverage disputes. A particular focus of her insurance practice is advising on political risk, crime, and D&O policies. She also has considerable experience of Bermuda Form arbitration.
Pauline Rozario will be a consultant to the firm specialising in professional indemnity insurance disputes, with a particular focus on disputes involving solicitors. She has over 20 years’ experience in handling such claims, initially at the Solicitors Indemnity Fund and latterly at a leading professional indemnity insurer.
Sara-Jane Reilly joins as trainee solicitor from a large insurer where she specialised in construction claims and later moving on to handling professional indemnity claims. Prior to this, she worked for the Financial Ombudsman Service as part of their insurance division, arbitrating disputes between policyholders and insurers. Sara-Jane is due to qualify as a solicitor in March 2017.
Commenting on the appointments, David Pryce, managing partner at Fenchurch Law, said: “We are delighted that Joanna, Pauline and Sara-Jane have agreed to join the firm. We are committed to investing in the growth of our business and this continued investment in the expansion of capabilities is part of our wider objective of improving outcomes for policyholders.”
The new appointments brings the total number of partners at the firm to seven.