In common with Kennedys, TM Law is a specialist law firm in Brazil focusing on the insurance and reinsurance market. Established in 1999, the lead partner is local insurance and reinsurance expert, Fabio Torres. Before setting up his own firm, Fabio headed the legal department of the former Brazilian monopoly Reinsurer, IRB and worked with Ernesto Tzirulnick´s ETAD Advocacia when that firm focused on servicing reinsurers. Fabio Torres and his six lawyer team are based in the firm’s Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo offices, the key national centres for insurance/reinsurance. Although its focus is on dispute resolution, TM Law offers a range of corporate and commercial legal services and tax advice to insurance and reinsurance carriers.
This extension of Kennedys’ regional network of offices and associated offices strengthens the strategic focus on the Portuguese and Spanish-speaking territories in Latin America, Africa and Asia. It reflects their increasing importance to our core insurance/reinsurance clients and the momentum generated by our Madrid office (opened 2005, led by partners, Jesus Velez and Jose Arauz), Lisbon office (opened Spring 2011, led by Paulo Cruz Almeida and Augusto de Albuquerque de Athayde) and, in particular, the Latin American regional hub (opened in 2010 in Miami, led by partner, Alex Guillamont).
Senior Partner, Nick Thomas comments: “Kennedys’ global focus on the Hispanic and Lusophone insurance markets took a major step forward last year with the opening of our regional hub in Miami. Brazil has developed a sophisticated insurance and reinsurance market and is increasingly important as a global financial and corporate powerhouse.
I’m very pleased to welcome Fabio and his team to the Kennedys network at this crucial point in our respective development. Brazil already represents some 50 percent of the region’s direct insurance premium and many reinsurers – including Lloyd’s of London – have been opening offices in this increasingly important jurisdiction.
Since opening 10 years ago in Hong Kong and New Zealand, our international network has expanded into Spain, Australia, Dubai, Singapore, Latin America, Portugal and recently, Ireland. Our associate network also continues to expand as we develop increasing flows of work around the world, including working frequently with Acuña & Cia. in Chile and Solis Marin in Mexico. Clients are reaping the benefit from our frequent working contact with an international network of associated offices that already spans France, India, Pakistan, Poland and the UAE, as well as with a large number of other firms around the world working on individual cases.”
Fabio comments: “Kennedys is a very highly-regarded name in the insurance sector and we are delighted to be strengthening our relationship by creating this association. Working with a major global force such as Kennedys is a significant signal to everyone in the Brazilian insurance and insurance sector and a major step forward for all of us at TM Law.
This tie-up gives us all the benefits of a boutique firm with an international dimension.”