KENNEDYS: FIRM SPOTLIGHT
- 4 hours ago
- 5 min read
Established: Founded in 1899 in London, Kennedys' first Australian office opened in Sydney in 2006
Size (personnel): Globally we have 3000+ people in 45 offices across 18 countries; and in Australia we have 295 employees including 25 partners
Office Locations (Australia): Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Brisbane
Practice Areas: Insurance claims and coverage expertise is deeply ingrained in every office globally. We provide advice across all lines including:
Aviation, abuse, casualty, catastrophic injury, cyber, D&O, employers' liability, fraud, general liability, healthcare, marine, medical malpractice, motor liability, product liability, professional liability, property damage, reinsurance and trade credit.
Corporate and commercial: data privacy, defamation, dispute resolution, and employment.
FIRM HISTORY
Kennedys was founded in London in 1899 by Charles Frederick Kennedy, a lawyer who had first qualified in Victoria, Australia, before moving to England to establish what would become one of the world's leading insurance law firms. That Australian connection has come full circle: Kennedys opened its first Australian office in Sydney in 2006, and has since expanded to Melbourne, Perth, and Brisbane.
Over 125 years, the firm has grown from a single London office into a global practice spanning 45 offices across 18 countries, with more than 3,000 people worldwide. Insurance and defendant liability has remained the constant thread throughout. It is not a department we have added over time, but the foundation the firm was built on.
RECENT AWARDS AND RANKINGS
Kennedys was recognised in the 2026 edition of Best Lawyers in Australia, Singapore and New Zealand.
Kennedys was also recognised by Legal500 as band 1 for Insurance.
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE LOOK LIKE FOR KENNEDYS
Kennedys is in a strong growth phase globally and in Australia. In 2024/25 the firm recorded revenue of £428 million, its eleventh consecutive year of growth, and has set a target of £1 billion by 2030.
In Australia, 2026 has marked a significant moment in our leadership. James Melvin has stepped into the role of APAC Regional Managing Partner, and Nicole Wearne has been appointed Australian Managing Partner, bringing more than 30 years of financial lines and complex litigation experience to the role. Both continue to manage active practices alongside their leadership responsibilities, a reflection of how we do things at Kennedys.
We are continuing to invest in our Australian presence and in the talent pipeline through our graduate program. The legal industry is also navigating a rapidly evolving technology landscape, and Kennedys is approaching that deliberately, educating our people, piloting tools from trusted vendors, and making considered decisions about what we adopt. Graduates joining us will be part of that conversation as it develops.
RECENT LITIGATION - GREENSILL CAPITAL LITIGATION
Kennedys is acting for BCC Trade Credit Pty Ltd in one of the most significant pieces of commercial litigation in Australia in recent years. The case arises from the 2021 collapse of Greensill Capital, a global supply chain finance company that had secured approximately $10 billion in trade credit insurance through BCC, a specialist underwriting agency. When Greensill lost access to that insurance cover, its business model unravelled and it filed for insolvency.
The collapse triggered a wave of claims across multiple jurisdictions. In Australia, eleven related proceedings are being case managed together in the Federal Court, involving claims of approximately $7 billion. The parties include major global institutions - among them Credit Suisse, White Oak, Insurance Australia Group, Greensill Bank AG, and Marsh. The proceedings raise complex questions of insurance law, fraudulent misrepresentation, underwriting authority, and reinsurance recovery.
The litigation is set for trial later this year after several years of interlocutory proceedings, including recent Federal Court rulings on privilege and discovery. The matter is led in Australia by Kennedys partner Matt Andrews, who has been involved since the earliest stages. It is the kind of high-stakes, multi-party insurance dispute that sits at the core of what Kennedys does; and an example of the scale and complexity of work our Australian team handles.
KENNEDYS UNIQUE OFFERING
Specialist Focus:
Kennedys is one of the few truly specialist insurance and defendant liability firms in Australia. Rather than insurance being one department within a broad-based practice, it is the foundation of everything we do. That focus gives our lawyers deep technical expertise and direct access to complex, high-value work from the outset of their careers.
Global reach, collaborative culture:
Despite our global scale, we maintain a collaborative environment where individuals feel valued. Employees benefit from international opportunities through Kennedys Collaborate (two-week overseas placements) and Kennedys Connect (short-term office placements worldwide). Our culture is built around five core values: approachable, straightforward, supportive, distinctive, and ambitious. We deeply value the relationships we build with our clients, and they value our warm, human approach in return.
Diversity and Inclusion:
Women make up 56% of our Australian partnership - a figure we are proud of and continue to build on. We support diversity and inclusion through employee-led networks including Women@Kennedys and the Rainbow Network, which promote connection, awareness, and advocacy across the firm. We are proud that our people come from all over the world, bringing diverse cultures, languages, and perspectives to our work.
Wellbeing and Flexibility:
We support work-life balance through an annual wellbeing allowance (covering physical, mental, or emotional health), annual wellbeing day, a homeworking allowance to support flexible working, subscription to the Headspace app, and 10 hours of paid volunteer leave each year. We also have Wellbeing Champions in each office who are trained Mental Health First Aiders (MHFA), and run various initiatives throughout the year. This year for Mental Health Awareness Week the Melbourne office is receiving a visit from Delta Therapy Dogs.
KENNEDYS GRADAUTE PROGRAM
During the 12-month program, you will complete three rotations in our core practice areas. In each rotation, you'll play a key role supporting partners and senior lawyers on active files across a diverse range of tasks.
We're committed to your professional growth through:
Comprehensive technical training including in-house and external seminars
Live facilitated skills training throughout the year
A dedicated buddy for the full 12 months
Partner and senior lawyer supervision and mentorship in each rotation
Regular reviews providing opportunities for development conversations and feedback
Autonomy and direct client contact from an early stage
Reduced billable hour targets, allowing time to settle in and focus on learning
Fully funded Practical Legal Training (PLT) through The College of Law
Study leave provided, including for your admission ceremony
Transition to an Associate position with a permanent contract upon successful completion of the program
APPLYING FOR A GRADUATE POSITION AT KENNEDYS
Kennedys are a signatory to the LIV Guidelines and undertake market recruitment for graduate positions in our Melbourne office. All applications must be submitted via our careers site and will follow our graduate recruitment process as outlined on our careers page.
We are looking for graduates who:
Are curious with strong research skills and excellent attention to detail
Communicate clearly and directly in writing and conversation
Take initiative in problem-solving and show leadership potential
Work collaboratively, supporting colleagues and contributing to team success
Are adaptable and resilient in a fast-paced environment
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES
While we do not offer a clerkship program, we do host a cohort of casual paralegals. Recruitment for paralegal roles is dependent on business needs.
If you have any questions about our graduate program or paralegal opportunities, please feel free to reach out to our Early Careers team at Graduates.Aus@kennedyslaw.com. We would love to hear from you.
