RPC is launching an office in New York with the hire of an insurance specialist partner from US firm Kaufman Borgeest & Ryan.
Scott Schechter has joined the UK firm to help build up a dedicated insurance team in New York, with the firm saying the launch was in response to growing client demand for cross-border advice on high-value, multi-jurisdictional claims involving US exposures.
The firm said the New York insurance team will be built out in phases, with no current plans to expand the office’s practice focus beyond insurance.
The New York base will become the firm’s fifth office, adding to its existing presence in London, Bristol, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Managing partner Antony Sassi described the Manhattan launch as ‘a strategic expansion of what is already one of the strongest global financial lines, cyber, and W&I claims platforms in the market’.
Global head of insurance Simon Laird added that New York was ‘a natural next step’ for the firm’s international insurance practice. ‘Our global insurance clients are navigating increasingly complex, fast-moving claims involving US exposures, and Scott’s arrival is a pivotal step in how we support them,’ he said.
Schechter, who has moved after 25 years at Kaufman Borgeest & Ryan, brings experience of representing international and domestic insurers in complex insurance coverage matters. He said that RPC’s international platform and ‘track record on complex, high-stakes insurance matters’ had convinced him to join.
RPC said the New York team would form part of its international insurance platform, working alongside colleagues in London, Singapore and Hong Kong.
The expansion follows a series of insurance hires, including financial lines and D&O specialist Tom Mungovan, who joined in London from DWF in April, and cyber specialist Ed Lewis, who joined from Weightmans in September, where he led the firm’s cyber and technology risk practice.
The firm posted revenues of £197.6m for 2025-26, up 10.9% from last year, with profit per equity partner up 27.5% to £650,000.
