Hill Dickinson insurance team goes from strength to strength in 2012

Hill Dickinson’s insurance business team has started 2012 with a number of major new client wins and has also announced the appointment of two senior lawyers to its Manchester team.

Stuart Smith, who joins the firm as a partner, will work in the fraud team, and has particular expertise in claims arising in the self-drive hire sector. Stuart will be responsible for an existing roster of clients in that sector and for driving new business to the team.

Jonathan Watts joins the motor litigation team as a legal director and is tasked with building a portfolio of non-fraud motor work, and securing additional legal panel membership across a variety of target organisations.

Ruth Lawrence, partner and head of insurance commented: “The appointments of Jonathan and Stuart represent the continuation of our growth strategy, which is to expand by building upon Hill Dickinson’s strength in the north west. In 2012 we will continue to recruit the very best talent and the insurance management team is dedicated to investing in regional growth in what is a very specialist market.”

Peter Oakes, head of Hill Dickinson’s fraud team added: “We are very pleased to be welcoming Jonathan and Stuart to the firm. They are both very experienced in their fields and have much to contribute to our clients.”

Also commenting upon the appointments, Hill Dickinson’s managing partner Peter Jackson said: “I am very pleased that Jonathan and Stuart have chosen to join our insurance team, which has an outstanding record both within the north west and nationally.”

These appointments closely follow the lateral hire of Mark Dixon in 2011 to bring added casualty expertise to the team.

The fraud team also welcomes development manager Alison Ward. Alison has been appointed to develop the reach of the firm’s innovative Netfoil product, which is used by lawyers, insurance brokers and insurance intermediaries to identify, manage and evidence incidences of motor fraud.

Hill Dickinson’s insurance business team in the north west covers a wide range of specialisms including professional and financial risks, fraud, motor, casualty and regulatory and counts Aviva, CIS, Chaucer, Chartis, Talbot and Generali amongst its clients.