Australian-domiciled insurance and risk law firm Wotton Kearney has broadened its office network in Asia with plans to launch a Bangkok office from 28 May this year, marking its second outfit in the region following the opening of its Singapore branch in 2024.
David Kearney, chief executive partner and co-founder of Wotton Kearney, told Asia Business Law Journal that, although other Asian jurisdictions would always be under consideration, Thailand was seen as the most immediate opportunity where his firm’s clients were growing not only their reinsurance participation but also their on the ground presence.
“The principal business of our Thai office will be to support our insurer and reinsurer clients, predominantly in the energy and property sectors, and in the cyber and financial lines. In addition, our team has extensive construction sector and commercial litigation experience, (and) we are also looking to build out our marine capability,” Kearney said.
Kearney added that the client base for the Thai office would be a blend of onshore work for both local and multinational businesses, and offshore-based clients.
The Australian firm will initially have two partners and four additional lawyers in Thailand, plus support staff. They will complement and work in conjunction with its two partners and six associate lawyers in Singapore, as well as the wider Wotton Kearney team. The Singapore office, which was established last year as the Australian firm’s Asia hub, is led by Asia managing partner Ben Nicholson.
Kearney said his firm was very focused on running a connected practice between Asia, Australia and New Zealand. The chief executive partner was not able to identify the team joining in Thailand at this stage as they were still under contract with their current firm. But he revealed that the Thailand-based lawyers would be qualified to advise on Thai, English and Hong Kong laws.
Founded in 2002, Wotton Kearney currently also operates with 89 partners and more than 550 lawyers across 10 offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
