Clyde & Co has hired Kennedys’ aviation liability and insurance star David Johnston with further lateral hires expected.
Johnston specialises in Asia-Pacific aviation liability and insurance matters and has handled some of the recent major Asian air disasters. Johnston represents insurers and airlines on regulatory issues, commercial disputes and transactions as well as high profile aviation cases.
Clyde & Co is understood to be expanding its aviation practice with a further two partners expected to join shortly, extending its capabilities.
At Kennedys, Johnston was on standby to advise the Malaysia Airlines’ insurance company, Allianz Insurance, for any potential claims arising against the airline after the Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 crashed into the southern Indian Ocean.
Johnston has also handled other major air disasters including the Korean Air MD-11 accident in Shanghai, Singapore Airlines SQ006 in Taipei, the Air China accident in Busan, the Garuda Solo, China Northern Airlines Dalian and China Eastern Yunnan Baoutou accidents, and the Airblue accident in Pakistan in 2010.
Johnston previously headed the Singapore office at Gates and Partners from 2007, before it merged with Kennedys in June 2013 to form the specialist aviation team, Kennedys Aviation, which comprised 60 people including 20 partners. Before Gates and Partners, Johnston was a partner at Barlow Lyde & Gilbert – which merged with his new firm Clyde & Co in November 2011.
Jaishree.kalia@legalease.co.uk
