Debevoise & Plimpton LLP today announced that leading insurance transactional and regulatory lawyer Clare Swirski is joining the firm’s London office.
Ms. Swirski has been ranked by Chambers UK and The Legal 500 as a Band 1 corporate insurance lawyer for a number of years, with praise for her ability to “steer through complexity” and “come up with creative solutions to interesting problems.” She will join Debevoise as a consultant.
Ms. Swirski, who was previously a partner at Clifford Chance, has over 20 years' experience advising insurers and other financial institutions on the full range of corporate matters, including share and business acquisitions, joint ventures, reinsurance, longevity transactions, distribution agreements and group reorganisations.
Ms. Swirski has also advised multinational insurers on key regulatory developments impacting the sector, including general governance issues, SIMR, with-profits regulation, Solvency II, and Brexit issues.
Ms. Swirski has played an active role in the development of the regulatory environment for insurers in the UK. She has previously liaised with HMT on changes to Part VII legislation and was a member of a group of City lawyers responding to EIOPA Solvency II consultations. She was also a member of the insurance sub-group of the Financial Markets Law Committee, which most recently considered regulatory issues arising from Brexit. Ms. Swirski has also authored or co-authored a number of notable chapters in insurance regulation handbooks.
In her role at Debevoise, Ms. Swirski will be advising some of the firm’s largest financial institution clients on their most critical matters.
Debevoise has a strong London insurance team. Recent work includes representation of American International Group in several transactions with Fairfax Financial, a leading global property and casualty insurer and reinsurer, including the disposition of its operations in 12 jurisdictions across Latin America, Central and Eastern Europe. The London team also advised Canada Pension Plan Investment Board in its $1.1 billion acquisition of Ascot from American International Group, and MBIA Inc. in the sale of its UK operations. The team also advised Argenta in the sale of Syndicate 2121 at Lloyd's, and of the Argenta members' agency to Hannover Re.
Michael W. Blair, Debevoise’s Presiding Partner, comments: “Our insurance practice is centred on strong teams in key financial centres, which we have reinforced in recent times with promotions in Hong Kong and London. The arrival of Clare is the latest step in that strategy, bringing as she does a wealth of experience and a deserved reputation as one of the sharpest lawyers in the market.”
James C. Scoville, a London partner in Debevoise’s Financial Institutions Group, comments: “Our recent work with firms such as AIG is testament to the fact that financial institutions continue to proactively tackle economic uncertainties and a rising tide of regulation across multiple jurisdictions. Clare’s skillset is perfectly suited to strengthening the advice we provide in that context. Her commercial acumen and deep experience will help ensure the team continues to thrive in a competitive market.”
Clare Swirski comments: “Financial institutions demand senior lawyers that are hands on and with complex problem solving skills. That is something Debevoise has a reputation for, and something I have always strived to live up to. I am looking forward to the next stage of my career at Debevoise, working with the firm’s clients on their most critical matters.”
Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is a premier law firm with market-leading practices, a global perspective and strong New York roots. We deliver effective solutions to our clients’ most important legal challenges, applying clear commercial judgment and a distinctively collaborative approach.