RPC hires partner in London from Mayer Brown

RPC hires partner in London from Mayer Brown

The rising tide of insurance claims against banks and financial institutions has led to the appointment of Mike Newham

Mayer Brown lawyer Mike Newham has been added to the London office of RPC as a partner.

He transitioned to the new firm after working at Mayer Brown for almost 12 years, most recently as a counsel. Newham's areas of expertise include financial institutions and directors' and officers' liability. During his tenure at the US law firm, he advised clients on coverage matters arising from Kaupthing's bank collapse and Madoff's fraud, both of which were highly contested. His experience also includes defending claims against lawyers, auditors and accountants, as well as assisting regulators such as SRA, ICAEW and FRC.

The managing director of RPC, James Miller, commented: "Mike has built a solid reputation as a leading insurance lawyer and is highly regarded by his clients and the wider legal community. Mike is highly dedicated and collaborative, which guarantees he will make a valuable contribution to our insurance practice."

The post-pandemic disputes climate has led to an increase in insurance claims against senior managers and institutions, which is why Newham has joined RPC at a time when bank and financial insurance claims are rising. With the decline in the economy, we should expect to see additional claims, including coverage disputes.

We have been involved in a number of the most significant market losses of the last two decades, including by clearing banks, investment banks, fund managers, hedge funds and global insurers, as well as their directors and officers; the sector is one of our main areas of expertise.

Newham's "extensive experience, in-depth knowledge and personable approach will strengthen our leading team for complex coverage disputes," said Simon Laird, RPC's global head of insurance.

Mayer Brown's insurance lawyer Mark Newham is not the only one to leave the firm in London recently; Will Glassey also left after working at the firm for more than two decades to join Herbert Smith Freehills as the firm expanded its insurance practice.

In August, RPC promoted five insurance lawyers to partner in its round of 2022. Newham joined RPC shortly after Hahlo, Morgan, Smith, Almaguer and Strong were made partners. Over the last two years, the insurance group of the firm has added 22 new partners across the UK, Hong Kong and Singapore offices through both lateral hires and internal promotions.

Earlier this month, Stephenson Harwood signed on Shai Wade as head of international arbitration. Wade previously worked at Stephenson Harwood.

Despite RPC's relatively modest size, the firm last year announced an alliance with five insurance companies, including Hinshaw & Culbertson in the United States, Colin Biggers & Paisley in Australia, Kennedy Van der Laan in the Netherlands and Miller Thompson in Canada, as well as French insurer HMN, to offer insurers a broader range of legal counsel worldwide.

As a representative for Mayer Brown stated, the firm wishes John Newham the best in his new role.