International law firm Kennedys recruits 24-strong team from Hill Dickinson for Sheffield office

International law firm Kennedys is set to recruit a 24-strong team from Hill Dickinson to expand its Sheffield office and national personal injury practice.

The team will comprise three partners, and 21 legal and support staff. All were previously part of Hill Dickinson’s Sheffield office.

Leading the team is Alan Dury, Suzanne Wilkinson and Paul Bedford, who all specialise in advising on, and defending, casualty claims, including disease and catastrophic injury matters.

They moved from DLA Piper to Hill Dickinson in 2013 and act for (re)insurers, loss adjusters and corporates across multiple sectors, including retail, manufacturing, construction and logistics.

Alan began his career as a trainee with DLA Piper and was a partner there for 13 years before moving to Hill Dickinson. Alan has over 25 years’ experience of defending companies and insurers against complex and significant employers’, public and occupiers’ liability claims, including catastrophic injury and high value property damage claims.

Suzanne started her career at DLA Piper and became a partner upon moving to Hill Dickinson where she has led on the defence of a number of significant claims, including one which defined the law concerning property damage caused between neighbours. With more than 20 years’ experience, Suzanne specialises in defending employers’ liability, public liability and property damage claims.

Paul has almost 17 years’ experience and will join as a partner. He specialises in handling public liability matters, such as claims against rail operators, logistics companies, leisure operators, private security firms and probation trusts. .

Kennedys opened its Sheffield office in 2010 with the appointment of a 60-strong team from Halliwells. Since opening, the office now has more than doubled its headcount to 122.

The office specialises in insurance, commercial and real estate work and is led by partner Suzanne Liversidge, who was the first ever female President of the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and Sheffield’s Business Woman of the Year for two years running.

Nick Thomas, senior partner at Kennedys, said: “I’m delighted that Alan, Suzanne, Paul and their team are set to join Kennedys. They come with excellent reputations and strong client relationships that fit with our insurance and claims strategy.

“Their appointments significantly complement our local expertise in the north and reinforce our appetite for attracting top talent.

“Alan is thrilled to be bringing the entire Sheffield casualty team with him. Not only do we share the same clients, which makes this a fantastic fit, Kennedys’ international network is a distinct advantage for the team. We’re delighted that their clients have been so encouraging about the move.”

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