US firm Debevoise & Plimpton names co-heads of UK/European insurance practice

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, a law firm headquartered in the US, has appointed co-heads for its UK/European insurance transactional and regulatory practice in London.

Tapped to lead the unit are Clare Swirski and Drew Dutton, with the latter relocating to the UK from Debevoise’s New York office to join his co-head. Dutton came on board the firm in 1999 in the US before he became a partner in the Paris office in 2007. Prior to returning to New York, Dutton led the Asia-Pacific insurance practice while based in Hong Kong.

Meanwhile Swirski, who is credited for her active role in the development of the regulatory environment for insurers in the UK, has been with Debevoise in London since 2017. She has more than two and a half decades of experience in advising insurers and other financial institutions.

The two were described by Marilyn Lion, co-chair of the firm’s global insurance group, as “outstanding team members and exceptional lawyers” who bring strong leadership to the practice.

“The UK/European insurance M&A (mergers and acquisitions) and reinsurance markets and regulatory environment have become increasingly important to the firm’s US and European insurance clients,” presiding partner Peter Furci said in a release.

“We continue to invest in building and growing our London team responsible for serving these clients, and we look forward to Drew and Clare leading that effort.”            

Matt Kaplan, corporate department chair, added: “Our global insurance practice has been one of the firm’s crown jewels for more than 60 years, driven by collaborative working relationships among our teams in New York, London, and Hong Kong.

“Drew and Clare are best positioned to continue the Debevoise tradition of working seamlessly with their colleagues in New York and Hong Kong on the most complex deals in the market.”

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