Kennedys continues to grow US presence with addition of three partners to its Chicago office

We are pleased to announce that Eric Scheiner, former Managing Partner of Sedgwick’s Chicago office, has joined as a partner and will be based in our Chicago office. Joining Eric in the move from Sedgwick are partners Dick Geddes and Jennifer Quinn Broda.

The arrival of Eric, Dick and Jennifer is the latest development in the United States, following our June merger with US insurance law firm Carroll McNulty & Kull (CMK) and last month’s addition of a six-lawyer team led by John Blancett from Sedgwick’s New York office. With these most recent additions, our US operation now has over 100 insurance lawyers in five offices.

Eric’s practice focuses on coverage matters, with a concentration on directors’ and officers’ liability (D&O), professional liability, employment liability, managed care/healthcare, general liability (including the Bermuda Form), construction, and reinsurance (including reinsurance audits).

Dick specialises in advising insurers and reinsurers in matters involving large casualty losses, and losses involving property damage, pharmaceutical/medical devices, auto products and defective building materials. He also provides counsel on policy and endorsement drafting and underwriting advice.

Jennifer specialises in representing the interests of insurers in the Bermuda and London markets, as well as domestically, in connection with various types of coverage matters. Her professional liability experience includes handling claims involving D&O, employment practices, lawyers, accountants, and insurance agents, among others.

The team has managed international coverage advice and losses across the US, Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East, handling major international claims and catastrophes including the Three Mile Island accident, the Exxon Valdez oil spill, the Piper Alpha oil explosion and the Buncefield explosion, the largest of its kind in peacetime Europe.

Nick Thomas, Senior Partner of Kennedys, says: “The hire of Eric, Dick and Jennifer reinforces our global strategy of being the go-to firm for the insurance sector and to provide the best on-the-ground capability where our clients need it. This development significantly boosts our US and London Market offering, as well as adding considerable Bermuda market expertise; the world’s largest insurance hubs.”

Eric Scheiner says: “I have crossed paths with many attorneys from Kennedys over the years and have always been extremely impressed by their approach. Our team has worked with many similar clients to Kennedys’ and, following the merger with CMK, this opens up a wonderful opportunity for global insurers, of which we represent many. We are very excited to become part of the Kennedys family and further strengthen the firm’s presence and expertise in the US.”

Earlier this week, we strengthened our global footprint, and insurance practice, with two new office openings in Bangkok and Paris.