International law firm DAC Beachcroft will launch in the United States in the new year with a team of 30 and offices in New York City and Los Angeles.
In January 2025, DACB will be continuing its international expansion, this time in the United States. The firm will open offices in New York and California where it will bring together insurance-focused teams from two different US law firms, including four partners and 26 other lawyers and staff, to open for business.
Partners Lawrence Klein and Gilbert Lee will join DACB from Robinson+Cole. Both Larry and Gil are insurance coverage specialists whose practices focus on complex coverage issues. They provide advice to and represent global and US insurers in disputes before state and federal courts and arbitration panels throughout the US, UK and Bermuda. Their expertise spans disciplines including complex risk transfer programs, construction projects, environmental catastrophes, sexual abuse, product defect and recall, terrorism, and healthcare.
Partners George Vogrin and Mike Frimet of insurance boutique firm Vogrin & Frimet, LLP will also join DACB. Their practice specialises in coverage and reinsurance matters, with a particular focus on general liability, entertainment, contingency, film, non-appearance, accident and health, property, professional indemnity, regulatory, and both commercial and personal lines. George and Mike have a long history and specific focus on assisting and advising global insurers and the London Insurance Market, with experience in both admitted and excess and surplus lines products.
The new US offices will be the third and fourth that DACB has opened around the world in the last nine months. The firm launched in Hong Kong in September and in Peru in May, expanding its global offering to clients across the areas of insurance, shipping, international trade, and commodities and bolstering its already well-established presence in Asia-Pacific and Latin America.
DAC Beachcroft's Managing Partner, David Pollitt, said, "Continuing our international expansion is one of the key elements of our strategy. Being able to establish operations in the thriving US legal market not only satisfies a key client demand within our insurance practice, but also gives potential for our clients across other areas of our business to benefit from our presence in the US market."
"We deliver unparalleled end-to-end capabilities, top-quality teams and a collaborative approach to our clients, and we have been quick to respond to their needs to expand that offering internationally," said Gustavo Blanco, DACB's Head of International Business. "Having such an experienced, high-quality and substantial initial team on board in the US is a statement of our intent to be the adviser of choice for the global insurance industry. In Larry, Gil, George, Mike and their teams we have found a group of colleagues with similar ambitions for growth and a strong commitment to helping their clients succeed."
Larry Klein added, "While we have a number of shared clients and, over the years, have established excellent relationships with many of their lawyers, it is DACB’s culture and focus on its clients’ needs that has drawn us together. For me and all our teams, this is a strategic move that will set us up to provide our clients with a sophisticated approach to their international insurance business."
"Our priority is giving our clients the highest quality advice and service possible," said George Vogrin. "By joining a firm like DAC Beachcroft, which shares our core values and our client-centric focus, we will ensure our clients continue to receive the tailored advice and seamless experience they deserve."
DAC Beachcroft has one of the largest insurance practices of any law firm in the UK, operating from eleven UK locations, as well as internationally from offices in Ireland, Spain, France, Italy, Singapore, Hong Kong, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Argentina, Peru and, together with BLD, Germany. The firm already has a representative office in Miami.
