Clyde & Co announced today (9 June) that it is expanding its West Coast US practice, opening an office in southern California led by Joe Walsh, formerly a partner at local firm Keesal, Young & Logan.
Walsh, who will focus on the marine and energy markets, advising clients on general maritime and admiralty law matters, specialises in casualty investigations, crisis management, environmental compliance, and oil and chemical pollution matters.
The office will be located in Newport Beach, California. Walsh will be joined by marine partner Frances Keeler, also from Keesal, Young & Logan, where she was of Counsel.
Senior partner James Burns said: ‘Opening an office in Orange County is a further step in our expansion in the US. Our San Francisco office with fifty attorneys focuses primarily on insurance, aviation and litigation. Through Joe and the new office we have an ideal opportunity to expand our West Coast offering in the marine and energy market, one of the firm’s core sectors. Our long heritage in shipping speaks for itself and we look forward to welcoming Joe to our already substantial international marine group.’
New York-based maritime partner John Keough added: ‘Joe’s experience in maritime casualty and pollution response, in tandem with our current marine team, will provide our marine and energy clients throughout the firm’s international network with a superior response capability.’
Clyde & Co entered the US with a launch in New York and Los Angeles in 2006, followed by New Jersey in 2010. In January, the firm was hit with a 15-strong team walk out in the US, including three litigation partners.
The California opening follows the announcement in May that the top 20 firm is launching two offices in South Africa, with the hire of a five-lawyer, four-partner team from Linklaters’ local ally, Webber Wentzel.
The new offices will be based in Cape Town and Johannesburg, headed by Daniel Le Roux, who currently heads Webber Wentzel’s insurance and legal liability practice.
caroline.hill@legalease.co.uk
