The team at Clifford Chance LLP has ‘broad expertise and talent’ when advising clients across the full array of the insurance sector. Ashley Prebble, who spearheads the firm, has a notable specialism in Part VII transfers, M&A, complex reinsurance arrangements, and regulatory matters. The ‘outstanding’ Cheng Li Yow is well-recognised for her work in longevity (re)insurance, insurance-linked securities, framework funded arrangements, and asset and flow reinsurance, particularly in the UK, and also has experience in the Asian and EEA markets. Hilary Evenett has a vast amount of experience in corporate and commercial work, which includes portfolio transfers, solvency and regulatory capital issues, and reinsurance transactions. James Cashier is a name to note when it comes to complex transactional and advisory matters; Cashier covers the full array of insurance regulatory matters for clients within the insurance and life insurance markets.

CMS regularly advises on annuity and pension risk transfer transactions, transactional insurance matters, and provides regulatory advice to several notable clients. The team is jointly steered by both Pippa Tasker and Owen Ross. Tasker is ‘sharp and efficient’ when advising tech-finance businesses on their insurance transactions. Ross has notable experience advising on complex acquisitions, divestments, and partnership arrangements. James Parker has a niche in pension buy-ins and buy-outs, derivative solutions, and longevity insurance, and works with high-profile insurers and reinsurers. Fiona Cassidy advises insurers, service providers, and intermediaries on a broad range of matters within the insurance market.

Slaughter and May‘s team is respected for advising on life and non-life insurance transactions. Practice head Jonathan Marks is particularly skilled in advising on risk transfer transactions, corporate and governance matters, and M&A-related matters. Thomas Peacock advises a range of clients on (re)insurance arrangements, de-risking transactions, and corporate reorganisations. Nick Bonsall advises on insurance-based pension scheme de-risking transactions and general insurance advisory work. Advising clients on Part VII transfers, compliance matters, and authorisation and passporting requirements is Amy Bennett, who is also experienced in funded reinsurance and asset-only reinsurance.

Willkie Farr & Gallagher (UK) LLP is known for its advisory work on complex domestic and cross-border transactions. The team’s client base consists of brokers, insurance sector funds, private equity investors, and property-casualty insurers. Joseph Ferraro heads up the practice and brings extensive knowledge on advising on private equity investments, stock exchange listings, and M&A. Bringing a wealth of experience advising on in-house and private commercial and regulatory matters, Melanie James has a client base of legacy insurers, global insurance groups, and intermediaries. Andrew Tromans is known for advising insurance and financial institution clients on the full range of company law matters, such as joint ventures, outsourcing, start-ups, and M&A. Kirsty Maclean is a name to note for advice on insurance and reinsurance claims. Also in the core team is Jennifer Tait.

The team at A&O Shearman regularly works on complex, cross-border insurance deals, which include advising on Solvency II issues, acquisitions, and capital provision. Practice head Philip Jarvis has a notable specialism in regulatory capital, insurance derivatives, and product design. Advising pension scheme trustees, banks, and (re)insurers is Kate McInerney, who focuses on M&A and longevity de-risking. Daniel Fletcher has a niche in advising financial institutions and corporations on the full range of debt capital markets issues, including Eurobonds, liability management, and regulatory capital. Tom Grant is known for his advisory work on standalone bonds, EMTN programmes, and liability management matters.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP advises clients across the entire life cycle of insurance matters. The firm’s insurance group often advises on M&A, reorganisations, regulatory, and product-related matters. Spearheading the practice are Hugo Laing and Martin Mankabady, who both possess ‘deep and extensive sector and technical knowledge’ that improves client outcomes. Laing focuses on transactional insurance work, often covering M&A deals, reinsurance, and any regulatory capital questions. Mankabady is noted for his non-life business work. Sponsors, reinsurers, and trustees often go to Rosamund Wood, whose practice spans the full extent of de-risking options.

Known for providing full coverage insurance advice for its clients, Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP‘s insurance team advises clients on M&A, portfolio transfers, and reinsurance transactions. Geoffrey Maddock has experience in advising on demutualisations, regulatory capital, and securitisation within the insurance sector, as well as providing a broad range of legal and regulatory advice to insurers and reinsurers. Barnaby Hinnigan oversees the practice and is the key contact for advising banks and asset managers on complex M&A and restructuring transactions. Grant Murtagh‘s expertise lies in large, complex (re)insurance transactions; he is also well-versed in the regulatory regime that involves (re)insurers and (re)insurance brokers.

The ‘extremely knowledgeable and experienced’ team at HFW is recognised for its work in the Lloyd’s market and on complex mergers and acquisitions. The firm also works with its comprehensive client base to provide insurance regulatory advice on business conduct, enforcement proceedings, and complex new products. Leading the firm is Ashwani Kochhar, who leads on Lloyd’s market matters; Bob Haken, who covers restructurings, distribution arrangements, and prudential regulation; and William Reddie, who advises on a wide range of both corporate and regulatory matters.

‘Providing practicable and actionable advice’, Norton Rose Fulbright is a key contact for investors, brokers, and major insurers. The practice advises on disruptive tech and InsurTech, Part VII transfers, MGAs, and structured insurance and reinsurance. Nicholas Berry is experienced in the M&A and private equity markets; he co-leads the practice with James Bateson, who covers IPOs, joint ventures, and distribution arrangements. Maria Ross is a notable name for regulatory and life insurance matters, and Matthew Foster has a niche in emerging markets and discontinued business. The team was further strengthened by the arrival of Adriana Cotter in September 2024 from Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP. Cotter focuses on regulatory and commercial work for both UK and international (re)insurers and intermediaries.

Pinsent Masons LLP has a large insurer and reinsurer client base that goes to the firm for distribution arrangements, insurance regulatory advice, strategic M&A, and complex reinsurance arrangements. Leading the firm together are Hammad Akhtar, who leads on complex matters in the legal and regulatory markets, Hannah Brader, who focuses on M&A, joint ventures, and reorganisations, and Iain Sawers, who is ‘outstanding’ at advising across all stages of the insurance product lifecycle. Walter Clark joined in October 2024 and brought his expertise in advising the firm’s insurer and reinsurer clients, and Peter McCusker, who joined in April 2024, has a niche focus on the asset management side of insurance.

RPC is known for its non-contentious insurance practice and has a great strength in M&A. The team regularly works with clients on the full range of insurance market matters, from investment and financing/ILS matters to distribution and regulatory issues. Matthew Griffith heads the team and is a key contact for commercial, regulatory, and transactional matters; Griffith is also recognised for his expertise on post-Brexit work. Acting on complex deals in the private equity and insurance markets is James Mee, who often advises on M&A activity involving MGAs. William Hogarth advises on large legacy transactions, as well as renewal rights transfers and corporate transactions.

Recognised for its ‘market-leading knowledge’, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP is known for advising on transactions, reinsurance, and regulatory matters. It works regularly with private equity sponsors, reinsurance companies, and brokers on a number of cross-border matters. Head of the team, Robert Chaplin, is well-versed in the insurance and asset management sectors, advising on strategic reinsurances, disposals, and M&A. Feargal Ryan advises on pension risk transfer life reinsurance transactions and is regularly seen on complex M&A deals.

Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner is best known for offering the full service of corporate and regulatory issues for clients. The team also advises on W&I insurance matters. Practice head Geraldine Quirk carries extensive experience when it comes to restructuring, transactional, and regulatory advice for her clients. Quirk’s client base often includes brokers, non-life and life insurers, reinsurers, and legacy entities, and she focuses on cross-border mergers, reinsurance arrangements, and all aspects of the UK regulatory regime. Adam Bogdanor advises several high-profile clients within the hotels and financial services industries on Part VII business transfer schemes, conduct of business, and M&A.

The team at Clyde & Co offers full-service commercial, corporate, and compliance insurance advice, often advising on alternative risk transfer arrangements and M&A. Co-heading the practice are Ivor Edwards and Andrew Lucas, both with expertise working in the Lloyd’s market. Edwards also has proficiency in the corporate insurance world, often advising on joint ventures and start-ups. Lucas brings a niche in portfolio transfers, distribution agreements, and broker arrangements. Other key names include Mark Williamson, who specialises in tech, e-commerce, and data privacy in the insurance industry; Tom Tippet, who is regularly sought out for his advisory work on product distribution and outsourcing; and Joris de Geest, who has experience advising on MGA and complex regulatory matters.

The ‘strong’ team at DAC Beachcroft LLP is equipped to advise on a range of services within the regulatory, corporate, and commercial insurance industries, including advising within the tech, employment, and governance sectors. Leading the team is Charlotte Halford, who advises on complex outsourcing, AI governance and deployment, and claims handling arrangements; Mathew Rutter, who has a niche in financial services regulation, focusing on InsurTech, consumer credit, and retail financial services; and Mark Neville, who advises various jurisdictions on commercial agreements within the insurance sector.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP's ‘solid’ insurance team advises clients on a number of complex matters, including advising on insurance regulatory issues, complex cross-border reinsurance, and debt and equity capital markets transactions. Co-head Clare Swirski carries extensive experience advising on Solvency II matters, share and business sales, and M&A, while fellow co-head Drew Dutton regularly represents financial institutions and pension funds on several complex, cross-border transactions.

Mayer Brown International LLP‘s team advises on the full range of transactional and advisory insurance matters. Colin Scagell leads the firm, and he regularly advises on complex, cross-border work across the entire spectrum of insurance transactions. Devi Shah has a particular niche in restructuring and international insolvency. Having joined the team in October 2024 from Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP, George Belcher works regularly on M&A, restructuring, and regulatory matters, while September 2024 saw the arrival of Tom MacAulay, who advises corporates, financial institutions, and insurers on de-risking solutions and reinsurance issues.

The team at Sidley Austin LLP provides ‘clear, practical and intelligent advice’ to its clients on M&A and the Lloyd’s market. The team works closely with the US team to advise on complex cross-border matters, specifically on reinsurance longevity swaps and pension de-risking transactions. Co-head Martin Membery is recognised for his advisory work on distribution arrangements, structuring insurance/reinsurance policies, the transfer of longevity risk, and joint ventures. Fellow co-head James Phythian-Adams advises clients globally on MGA, business transfer, and a broader range of compliance matters.

Addleshaw Goddard‘s clients go to the firm for advice across the full spectrum of financial, corporate, and regulatory insurance markets. Matthew Brewer, co-head of the team, is recognised for his niche in longevity risk transfer and Part VII matters. Brewer regularly advises high-profile clients within the life sector on complex matters involving post-Brexit issues. Fellow practice-lead Robert Garwood advises on product governance, customer documentation, and often advises banks on insurance propositions.

Ashurst advises on the full range of matters in the insurance space. The firm provides a number of specialist services in trade credit, D&O, W&I, and in the marine and space sectors. The team’s broad client base of insurers, banks, and policyholders regularly instructs it for advice on M&A and general regulatory services. Group head Adam Levitt has expertise in restructurings and portfolio transfers, while Nick Wong is the key contact for his expertise in the Lloyd’s market and acquisition finance.

Latham & Watkins advises on a wide spectrum of transactions within the insurance industry, with experience spanning capital markets, M&A, private equity, and private capital. The practice is led by Victoria Sander, who specialises in all aspects of corporate insurance transactions, including public and private M&A, portfolio transfers, complex reinsurance structures, and distribution agreements. Tim Scott is another key figure, focusing on corporate and transactional matters across the insurance sector.

With a ‘breadth of team and experience’, the team at Linklaters LLP regularly advises on pensions de-risking and complex M&A deals. Duncan Barber leads the practice and brings his expertise on Part VII transfers and reinsurance and longevity insurance matters.

Stevens & Bolton LLP advises both life and non-life insurers, brokers, InsurTech providers, and Lloyd’s syndicates on a diverse range of matters. Key insurance expertise includes Part VII transfers, GDPR compliance, and bulk annuity transactions. Leading the team is Gary Parnell, who is a key contact for material outsourcing and broker asset purchase transactions, and Heidi Sawtell, who focuses on reinsurance and regulatory work. Helen Martin ‘maintains a calm approach’ when acting on complex insurance insolvency and restructuring matters.

Carter Perry Bailey LLP is recognised for its extensive array of insurance expertise. The firm offers advice on D&O, MGAs, and parametric insurance for clients globally. Practice lead Stephen Carter has expertise in contract construction, regulatory matters, and reinsurance and coverage. Bernadette Bailey handles a wide array of direct insurance coverage and defence matters, including fine art claims, industrial injury, public liability, and professional indemnity matters.

DWF is well-recognised for its M&A work and complex regulatory advice, often acting for insurance intermediaries in the legacy insurance market. The firm is led by Jon Drake, who works on cross-border distribution and advises on the full range of regulatory activity; Mel Sims, who focuses on non-contentious M&A; and Raeesa Chowdhury, who advises clients in the finance and insurance sectors on joint ventures and structuring matters.