12 December, 2017
Global law firm Clyde & Co and New Zealand firm, Fee Langstone, have established a 'best friends' association. The two firms will work together, refer work to one another, and undertake joint marketing initiatives across the region as part of the arrangement.
Fee Langstone is a boutique insurance litigation firm of 5 partners and approximately 30 staff based in Auckland. The firm specialises in insurance lines such as Directors' and Officers', professional negligence litigation, marine insurance, construction litigation as well as general policy coverage and claims disputes.
New Zealand's economic growth continues to be buoyed by record net immigration and housing wealth gains. In the past decade, the nation's two-way trade with members of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) grew NZD31 billion. Most of its surplus with APEC countries is due to a NZD3 billion surplus with China, which is mainly due to its exports of dairy products to China. New Zealand is a fast-emerging oil and gas producer with underexplored basins and significant petroleum potential. Oil and gas exploration and production has grown sharply in recent years and is now New Zealand's fourth largest export. The New Zealand insurance market is dominated by the domestic and Australian insurers, many of which Clyde & Co already has a working relationship with elsewhere.
Fee Langstone Partners Philippa Fee and Craig Langstone have been working together since the late 1980s and have over the years added three additional partners to the firm: Pauline Davies, Cecily Brick and Matthew Atkinson. Both Philippa and Craig are ranked as Leading Individuals for Insurance by The Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2018 guide, which also ranks the firm as Band 1. Philippa is also ranked band 1 by Chambers and Partners for insurance.
Clyde & Co Senior Partner Simon Konsta says of the association: "Given the synergies between Clyde & Co and Fee Langstone, this agreement between the two firms will help to strengthen our presence in the region, while providing Fee Langstone with an international platform through the Clyde & Co network."
Fee Langstone Partner, Philippa Fee adds: "We are delighted to be entering into this association with Clyde & Co and look forward to providing our clients with access to the international coverage and expertise that a firm such as Clyde & Co offers."
Clyde & Co Managing Partner Australia, Dean Carrigan, comments:
"Our team has worked with clients on New Zealand-related matters for many years, so it's strategic to collaborate with a leading New Zealand law firm to be able provide a comprehensive service for clients with interests in New Zealand ̶ Fee Langstone is a natural fit for Clyde & Co and we all look forward to working closely with the partners and staff there in order to assist our respective, and mutual clients."
Fee Langstone Partner, Craig Langstone adds: "Clyde & Co is the premier insurance sector firm globally, so it is only natural that a firm such as ours with an insurance focus would look to form ties with Clyde & Co. We are excited about the opportunities that this new agreement will mean for our clients and our staff."
In the past year Clyde & Co has expanded internationally with new offices in Chicago, Washington DC and Los Angeles and formed an association with Malaysian law firm Shaikh David & Co in Kuala Lumpur. In early 2018 the firm will continue its expansion with a new office in Bristol.
