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Wotton + Kearney launches aviation practice with Clyde & Co special counsel
International law firm Wotton + Kearney has continued its expansion, unveiling a new aviation practice with a special counsel who has come across from global rival Clyde & Co.
Jerome Doraisamy
Special counsel James Cooper (pictured) has joined W+K, expanding the international firm’s existing marine and transport practice, which spans shipping, road, rail, logistics, mining, and trading commodities.
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His experience, the firm said in a statement, includes acting for airlines and their insurers in some of the most significant airline incidents impacting our region in recent times, including the loss of Malaysia Airlines flights MH370 and MH17, and the major in-flight events involving Qantas flights QF30 and QF72.
He also, W+K went on, has litigation experience across airline major losses, leasing disputes, general aviation, and personal injury, hull, cargo, and baggage claims.
He will be based in the firm’s Melbourne office and has joined from Clyde & Co, where he spent over a decade in that firm’s aviation, maritime, and trade practice.
The news follows a period of significant growth for W+K.
Most recently, and as reported by Lawyers Weekly, it is set to open its 10th office in Singapore with two partners from global rival Kennedys, as the BigLaw player sets its sights on the south-east Asian city-state as a global insurance hub.
Just before Christmas, W+K promoted 34 lawyers to more senior positions, including three to partner, following the 34 it elevated (including four to partner) in June of last year.
Recently, the firm also added a health partner from BigLaw rival Lander & Rogers in October and hired a new special counsel and senior associate for its cyber and technology advisory practice in November.
Speaking about the hire, W+K head of property, energy, and infrastructure Adam Chylek said: “James brings a unique skill set to the firm and is an exciting addition to our existing transport practice.
“He has a wealth of experience across the sector and is highly regarded in Australia and New Zealand and across the Asia-Pacific and London markets.”
Cooper added: “I’m really excited to have joined Wotton + Kearney, where my specialised aviation practice fits neatly alongside the firm’s insurance and risk focus.
“I’m looking forward to working with the firm to grow the regional aviation practice.”
W+K currently has offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. Since its foundation in 2002, it has grown to a 76-strong partnership with over 360 lawyers across its offices.
The firm’s revenue, it said in a statement, has grown by 71.6 per cent from FY20 to FY23.
