Kennedys Strengthens in London with Double Partner Hire From DLA Piper and Cripps

Why It Matters

The hires deepen Kennedys’ capabilities in high‑demand financial‑crime compliance and insurance transactions, positioning the firm to win premium work in regulated sectors. They also signal the firm’s aggressive global expansion, especially in the U.S., while highlighting ongoing gender‑diversity challenges.

Key Takeaways

• Will White joins to lead financial‑crime and compliance practice
• Lowri Jones adds 20 years of insurance M&A experience
• Promotion round lifts global partner count to 359
• London team bolstered as compliance demand surges
• Women partners fell to four, half of previous year

Pulse Analysis

The legal market in London is witnessing a surge in talent acquisitions focused on financial‑crime and compliance services. Heightened scrutiny from regulators such as the FCA and the UK’s anti‑money‑laundering regime has driven corporations to seek counsel that can navigate bribery, fraud and modern‑slavery risks. Kennedys’ recruitment of Will White, a veteran of DLA Piper with nine years handling cross‑border investigations, underscores the firm’s intent to capture this expanding advisory niche. By adding a dedicated compliance partner, the firm can offer end‑to‑end solutions that blend internal investigations with regulatory engagement.

Parallel to the compliance push, the insurance and financial‑services sector continues to generate robust M&A activity, prompting law firms to bolster their transactional benches. Lowri Jones arrives with a two‑decade track record and more than 100 closed deals, positioning Kennedys to compete with entrenched City players in non‑contentious insurance work. Her experience across regulated intermediaries equips the firm to advise on complex policy‑transfer structures and cross‑border financing, areas where boutique specialists have traditionally held sway. The hire signals a strategic bet on high‑value, sector‑specific transactions.

Kennedys’ London hires are part of a broader, aggressive growth agenda that saw a 20‑partner promotion round and a global partner headcount rise to 359. While the firm emphasizes its U.S. expansion, the London moves reflect a dual‑track strategy: deepening expertise in regulated markets while maintaining a global footprint. However, the drop in women partners—from eight to four—highlights ongoing diversity challenges that the firm must address to sustain its talent pipeline. Overall, the appointments enhance Kennedys’ competitive positioning as it seeks to capture premium compliance and insurance work worldwide.