Global law firm Kennedys is continuing to enjoy significant growth in Australia with the appointment of a large team of 10 healthcare and employment law specialists — including 3 partners, 6 lawyers and 4 support staff – formerly of TressCox. They join Kennedys in Melbourne today.

The Healthcare team, led by partners John Petts and Cindy Tucker includes special counsels Anjali Woodford, Elaine Fabris and Abbey Neylon, lawyers Rose Hopkins and Rod Felmingham and four support staff. Highly regarded in the local market, this experienced team acts for some of Australia’s leading healthcare providers, medical insurers and global insurance companies.

Kennedys Employment practice will gain Chris Molnar, who joins as partner along with senior associate Phoebe Blank. Chris and Phoebe advise ASX listed companies, SMEs and public sector clients at all levels of government on a wide range of litigious and non-litigious employment law matters. They join Sydney-based employment partner Justin Le Blond in adding significant expertise to this growing practice.

The arrival of the new team represents the next phase of growth for Kennedys’ Melbourne office, which opened in August 2017 with the appointment of a casualty team led by partner Michael Kavanagh.

Managing partner of Kennedys Australia, Matt Andrews says: “Our ambition when we opened in Melbourne was to grow to service the breadth of insurance and related industry sectors that align with our capabilities in Sydney and around the world.

“The addition of John, Cindy, Chris and their teams brings us a long way towards realising those ambitions.”

Kennedys is a leading adviser in Healthcare in the Asia Pacific and UK and the appointment of the Australian team takes the firm’s global healthcare headcount to 88 partners and lawyers across the UK, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and the Americas.

“Looking ahead we see more growth opportunities in markets around the world and we look forward to embracing these opportunities and providing the best people on the ground where our clients need them,” says Matt Andrews.

Speaking on behalf of the new team John Petts said: “We see significant synergies in the work we do and the clients we serve.

“Joining Kennedys provides an excellent base from which to serve existing clients and deliver truly global, seamless services to our clients wherever they may need us.”

Matt Andrews says, “The dedication that John, Cindy and Chris have shown to their clients and staff and their enthusiasm for what they do is absolutely aligned to Kennedys’ culture and values and we are delighted to welcome them on board.”