Kennedys defends a broad client roster, comprising professionals across law, construction, insolvency, auditing and insurance, with matters concerning negligence in relation to fire safety and design defects in the construction space, as well as various D&O liability coverage, policy coverage and monitoring matters. Four partners lead the professional liability team, with key names in Manchester including Claire Bushen, who is considered a ‘standout partner’ and advises solicitors and accountants, Tom Handley, who works primarily in the construction space and often defends architects before regulatory bodies, as well as Hannah Williams, who is well versed in policy coverage and D&O liability matters. Lucy Suddaby and Daniel Fairey are further key members of the practice.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: Billing & efficiency
Client satisfaction: Sector knowledge
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘This is a very strong team. Even junior members instill confidence in clients.’
- ‘Hannah Williams can do anything taking the most complex matters in her stride. Tom Handley is incredibly reliable.’
- ‘Very approachable team who have a wide breadth of knowledge in the Defendant professional negligence space. The Manchester team collaborate with their other locations and teams.’
- ‘Claire Bushen is very client friendly and offers pragmatic advice. Claire is ably supported by Lucy Suddaby and Fran Shaw.’
- ‘The practice has considerable strength in depth across multiple types of profession. The firm has come a very long way in the last 20 years and the firm's regional build out has been a key plank of it diversifying its offering and the calibre of its regional UK lawyers has increased significantly, presenting insurer clients with more options than ever before. The strength and growth of Manchester team has been central to this.’
- ‘Claire Bushen remains a standout partner. She's phenomenal: incredibly responsive; super-thorough and clever; reads the room/dynamics perfectly and is just a great down-to-earth fun person to work with. It's lawyers like Claire, with her exceptional service, work ethic and approach/ethos. The market needs more people like Claire. Geoff Shreeve works for Claire Bushen and is someone to watch for the future.’
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Tom Handley
Next generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Hannah Williams
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Lucy Suddaby
Practice head
Claire Bushen; Tom Handley; Hannah Williams
Other key lawyers
Lucy Suddaby; Daniel Fairey; Geoffrey Shreeve; Fran Shaw