Kennedys

International law firm Kennedys is expanding its international reach in Europe through agreements with three Scandinavian firms, which come into effect on 1 January 2016. The firm is merging with Danish law firm Advokatfirmaet Erritzøe and forming associations with Norwegian firm Kogstad Lunde & Co, and Swedish firm Advokatfirman NorelidHolm.

Erritzøe, a four-partner, 12 lawyer firm in Copenhagen, Denmark, becomes a full Kennedys office and will be led by senior partner Morten Erritzøe Christensen. Founded in 2005 by Morten and Jesper Ravn, the firm was later joined by partners Thomas Dall Jensen and Allan Kvist-Kristensen.

Morten Erritzøe Christensen says: “I am really pleased that we are formally joining Kennedys. We will benefit from leading insurers finding it easier to instruct us on the highest value claims. While we expect the increase in instructions to come primarily from local insurers, we see a benefit in developing the number of international instructions that will result from being part of Kennedys’ global presence.”

Kogstad Lunde & Co, a six-partner, ten lawyer firm in Oslo, Norway becomes an associate office. Having worked together since 1995, its founding partners, Eivind Kogstad and Trond Werner Lunde, both have insurance-sector backgrounds. The firm is one of the leading insurance sector-focused law firms in Norway. Kogstad Lunde & Co offers a full legal service to both the life and non-life insurance sectors and acts for many leading insurers, reinsurers, brokers and claims-handling companies in the Norwegian and international insurance markets. The firm also acts for a number of brokers and insurance intermediaries.

NorelidHolm, a two-partner, eight-lawyer firm in Stockholm, Sweden also becomes an associate office. Established in 2005 by its founding partners, Christer A. Holm and Susanna Norelid, the firm undertakes first class commercial work and is also one of the leading Swedish law firms within the insurance sector. NorelidHolm has a highly respected dispute resolution practice focused on the insurance sector, acting for many insurers and reinsurers in Sweden and internationally. It is ranked Tier 1 for insurance practice in Sweden by The Legal 500 EMEA and is also ranked as one of the leading firms in the field of corporate & commercial law.

Kennedys’ senior partner Nick Thomas says: “I am delighted that Kennedys has been able to expand, with trusted friends, so as to deliver such a substantial presence in Scandinavia. The region is a major user of insurance products. Expanding our international reach is key to our strategy, and this is a further example of our ambition to provide assistance to our core clients in all classes of business wherever they wish us to be.

“Erritzøe has a very strong reputation in Denmark and throughout the region. I am glad that we are welcoming Morten and the Erritzøe team on board. They already work well with our clients, ensuring a seamless Kennedys service in Copenhagen.

“I’m also delighted to have formalised our associations with Kogstad Lunde & Co in Norway and NorelidHolm in Sweden. These closer relationships will help us all increase our potential to assist Scandinavian clients at home and around the world, and to be there for other clients when they need assistance in Scandinavia.”