Kennedys welcomes five-strong claims team from Hill Dickinson

Kennedys has appointed a five-lawyer team from Hill Dickinson which handles pre-litigation and litigated motor and casualty claims for insurers, transport companies, food manufacturers and local authorities.

The team, made up of partner Gordon Davidson, senior associate Robert Ashurst, and solicitors Christopher Abbott, Andrew Jones and Sophie McDonnell, will join Kennedys in its new Manchester office on Oxford Street.

Davidson is the former head of Hill Dickinson’s Manchester casualty team and was on the partnership board. He joined Hill Dickinson in 1996 and his practice encompasses small, fast and multi-track litigation. He specialises in defending employers’ and public liability matters, including disease, and motor claims. He becomes the ninth lateral partner hire in 2016.

Nick Thomas, senior partner at Kennedys, said: “I’m delighted that Gordon and his colleagues have joined to strengthen our personal injury offering. Their recruitment sends out a clear message that clients can expect the dual benefit of using local experts within a major international law firm.”

Kennedys first opened its Manchester office in 2008 and specialises in all lines of insurance defendant work, including employers’, public and motor liability (including disease and fraud), and professional indemnity/financial lines. The office now employs 68 people, including 54 fee earners, eight of whom are partners.

Mark Dugdale