Wotton + Kearney announced today a team of insurance lawyers from DLA will join its New Zealand office.

When Partners Peter Leman, Caroline Laband and Misha Henaghan and their teams start tomorrow with the law firm, it will transform Wotton + Kearney into the largest insurance law and dispute resolution practice in New Zealand, with 14 partners and over 80 staff.

“[They] and their teams share our passion for insurance law, and we warmly welcome them to [Wotton + Kearney],” New Zealand Managing Partner Antony Holden said.

“With our combined team, we now offer market-leading expertise and unrivalled depth and breadth across all commercial insurance lines.”

In a separate announcement, the law firm says it started the year with 14 senior promotions in Australia and New Zealand, including the elevation of Ken Grunder to Partner in its Perth office.

Promoted to Special Counsel are senior lawyers Natasha Cannon (Wellington), Matthew Elson (General Liability, Melbourne), Naazihah Jamal (Financial Lines, Brisbane), Chris Knight (Financial Lines, Sydney) and Rachel White (Property, Construction & Energy, Sydney).

The other senior lawyers who took on Senior Associate titles this month are Chris Alevizos (General Liability, Sydney), Jessica Aoun (Property, Construction & Energy, Melbourne), Emmeline Granger (Financial Lines, Melbourne), Brendan Kennedy (Financial Lines, Sydney), Justin Khouri (Property, Construction & Energy, Melbourne), Ryan Loney (Financial Lines, Melbourne), Nadica Mirceska (Financial Lines, Sydney) and Tushka Sridharan (General Liability, Melbourne).

“I congratulate all of our lawyers on their promotions, which reflect and recognise their talents, contribution and continued commitment to our clients,” Chief Executive Partner David Kearney said.