Kennedys continues momentum on West Coast with eight lawyers joining Seattle

We are pleased to announce the addition of an eight-lawyer group, led by two partners, Michael Guadangno and Westin McLean. Joining them are two special counsels and four associates.

This expansion comes less than a year after we opened our office in Seattle. With the group’s arrival, the firm is reaching critical mass in its newest locations and reinforcing its commitment to serving insurers, reinsurers, and global businesses across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

The incoming partners and team bring significant depth of experience across a wide range of insurance and litigation matters:

• Michael Guadagno, ranked in Band 1: Insurance in Washington by Chambers USA 2025, defends insurers and reinsurers in third-party liability coverage disputes and bad faith litigation, with experience across commercial general liability, professional liability, homeowners, and property and casualty lines.
• Westin McLean advises and represents insurers in complex coverage matters and litigation, with extensive experience across all types of property, casualty, auto, specialty, professional liability and general liability policies.

Together, the team enhances Kennedys’ capabilities in handling complex insurance coverage, bad faith, and professional liability disputes, further strengthening the firm’s global position as a leading insurance law firm.

Eric Hiller, US Managing Partner, said: “We are delighted to welcome this exceptional group of lawyers to Kennedys. Their arrival further bolsters our presence on the West Coast and underscores our investment in Seattle as a key hub for serving clients with complex needs in coverage, defense, and specialty areas of insurance law. With the addition of this talented team, we are well-positioned to deliver the depth of service clients are seeking.”

Michael Guadagno, partner says: “Kennedys’ global reach, collaborative culture and focus on the insurance industry is a true differentiator and a natural fit for our practice. We are excited to join the firm at such a dynamic moment in its US growth and look forward to contributing to its continued success.”

Since 2024, Kennedys has launched three new offices in the US, including Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles and Seattle, as part of its long-term strategy to expand its footprint in key insurance markets. The addition of this eight-lawyer group in Seattle represents the latest step in building a strong, integrated team serving clients both in the US and internationally. In parallel, the firm has also invested in its established East Coast presence, relocating its New York and New Jersey offices to state-of-the-art spaces to support continued growth. This follows the firm’s June 2025 financial results, which reported a 22% year-over-year revenue increase in North America.