Kennedys

Kennedys has opened offices in Chile and Colombia in the latest stage of its Latin America growth plan.

This further expansion of Kennedys’ global reach, which immediately follows the establishment of its offices in Brazil and Peru last month, is in another two of Latin America’s most significant jurisdictions.

In Chile, former associate firm Sateler Depolo Diemoz Abogados joins Kennedys with the office headed by partners Ricardo Sateler, Radoslav Depolo and Mario Diemoz. The 13-strong team specialises in litigation and arbitration, with a particular focus on insurance claims and coverage advice.

Acting for international (re)insurers and corporates, the Santiago-based office regularly handles cases involving directors’ and officers’ liability, errors and omissions, life and health, property and public liability claims. It also provides e-commerce and consumer law, real estate and corporate finance advice.

The new Colombian office in Bogotá is led by partners Mónica Tocarruncho Mantilla and Andrea Londoño Agudelo, and will focus on claims, coverage and corporate law, for the insurance industry.

Mónica joins from Royal and Sun Alliance (RSA) Colombia, where she was General Counsel. She advises on all areas of insurance claims and has extensive experience handling corporate, commercial and contract matters. In handling Suramericana’s acquisition of RSA Latin America’s operations, Mónica dealt with the largest insurance transaction in the region last year.

Andrea arrives from DLA Piper Martínez Neira, where she was head of its Colombian insurance law practice. She advises on all areas of insurance claims, including financial lines, property and energy, and has experience of handling commercial matters. Andrea also brings insurance industry experience with her after working with broker Aon in London.

Mónica and Andrea will be joined by associates Catalina Botero and Gustavo Correa, who join from Diaz Granados and Correa Abogados respectively, where they were involved in complex claims for international carriers.

Nick Thomas, Kennedys’ senior partner, says: “These latest office openings further reinforce our strategy to establish a presence in key Latin American jurisdictions. They complement our well established Latin America hub in Miami by providing on-the-ground expertise.

“Our growth is, as ever, driven by client need and market opportunities, and by developing both our local and international capabilities, Kennedys is improving the service it provides to local insurers and London Market insurers too.”

Alex Guillamont, head of Latin American & Caribbean practice, adds: “These are two of the most important jurisdictions for our clients in Latin America. Chile is one of the most stable countries in the region, politically and economically, and has one of the most developed insurance markets, while the Colombian insurance market has become a more attractive prospect since new legislation opened it up to foreign insurers in 2013.

“Throughout our association with Sateler Depolo Diemoz Abogados they have shown us that clients are being advised by an excellent team of specialists in Chile. And in Mónica and Andrea we have recruited two of the best insurance lawyers in Colombia to set up what I am sure will quickly become one of the leading specialist practices in the country.”