US legal firms merge to boost European clients' service provision
Maritime law firm Houck Anderson has announced its merger with East Coast-based Chartwell Law Offices LLP. The new entity, operating under the Chartwell banner, will consolidate the interests of its European clients.…
Miami-based Houck Anderson,the maritime and admiralty law firm, has announced its merger with The Chartwell Law Offices LLP. The newly merged entity will operate under the Chartwell banner.
Houck Anderson is rated AV-Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell. The firm, with offices in Miami and in Ft. Lauderdale, expanded its practice areas to include general liability, premises, construction, aviation and other defense litigation over recent years.
Houck Anderson represents insurers, P & I clubs, brokers and commercial interests, internationally, in matters ranging from superyacht and pleasure craft liability to international shipping, hull and machinery claims and crewmember litigation.
The Chartwell Law Offices, LLP was founded by four lawyers in 2002 in Valley Forge, PA. Following rapid growth and the opening of offices in Pittsburgh, Scranton, Philadelphia and Harrisburg PA, Chartwell expanded into New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Florida. The firm now has 85 attorneys practicing principally in first and third party insurance coverage, casualty, employment and commercial litigation. With the addition of the Houck Anderson attorneys, Chartwell now has 13 lawyers in its Florida offices.
"This is an important new chapter for Houck Anderson," said Mark Houck, founder of the firm, and now the managing partner of Chartwell's Florida operations and Maritime Practice. "We have worked hard to gain the respect of the maritime industry, and to be a leader in this arena. The timing of this merger is perfect as it gives us the opportunity to use Chartwell's positioning to expand our marine-based practices to the entire eastern seaboard, while Chartwell can increase its footprint in the important Florida market."
Houck added that the two firms share important contacts in the London insurance market, as well as a culture of providing top-flight niche expertise. "This merger is a great fit," he noted.
Chris Troy, chair of Chartwell's Insurance Practices & Property section, said: "An expanded Florida presence is important to our domestic, European and London clientele. We handle major property and catastrophe work around the world, and with the addition of the Houck Anderson attorneys, we are now better positioned to meet our clients' needs in Florida and throughout the Gulf Coast."
Chartwell's practice areas have also expanded to handle toxic tort, creditor's rights and construction defect litigation. "We will continue to expand our firm, both geographically and by practice area, whenever we come across talented litigators who are also good people. The team at Houck Anderson certainly fits that bill," noted Chartwell CEO Cliff Goldstein.
The legal sector will assemble in the UK for the final Superyacht Management Meeting of the year on 10 December. Details on the conference programme and panelists to be announced soon. The cost to attend this management meeting, including lunch and dinner is available for just € 400.00. Click here to register your attendance, or call +44 (0) 20 7924 4004 for more information.
Houck Anderson is rated AV-Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell. The firm, with offices in Miami and in Ft. Lauderdale, expanded its practice areas to include general liability, premises, construction, aviation and other defense litigation over recent years.
Houck Anderson represents insurers, P & I clubs, brokers and commercial interests, internationally, in matters ranging from superyacht and pleasure craft liability to international shipping, hull and machinery claims and crewmember litigation.
The Chartwell Law Offices, LLP was founded by four lawyers in 2002 in Valley Forge, PA. Following rapid growth and the opening of offices in Pittsburgh, Scranton, Philadelphia and Harrisburg PA, Chartwell expanded into New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Florida. The firm now has 85 attorneys practicing principally in first and third party insurance coverage, casualty, employment and commercial litigation. With the addition of the Houck Anderson attorneys, Chartwell now has 13 lawyers in its Florida offices.
"This is an important new chapter for Houck Anderson," said Mark Houck, founder of the firm, and now the managing partner of Chartwell's Florida operations and Maritime Practice. "We have worked hard to gain the respect of the maritime industry, and to be a leader in this arena. The timing of this merger is perfect as it gives us the opportunity to use Chartwell's positioning to expand our marine-based practices to the entire eastern seaboard, while Chartwell can increase its footprint in the important Florida market."
Houck added that the two firms share important contacts in the London insurance market, as well as a culture of providing top-flight niche expertise. "This merger is a great fit," he noted.
Chris Troy, chair of Chartwell's Insurance Practices & Property section, said: "An expanded Florida presence is important to our domestic, European and London clientele. We handle major property and catastrophe work around the world, and with the addition of the Houck Anderson attorneys, we are now better positioned to meet our clients' needs in Florida and throughout the Gulf Coast."
Chartwell's practice areas have also expanded to handle toxic tort, creditor's rights and construction defect litigation. "We will continue to expand our firm, both geographically and by practice area, whenever we come across talented litigators who are also good people. The team at Houck Anderson certainly fits that bill," noted Chartwell CEO Cliff Goldstein.
The legal sector will assemble in the UK for the final Superyacht Management Meeting of the year on 10 December. Details on the conference programme and panelists to be announced soon. The cost to attend this management meeting, including lunch and dinner is available for just € 400.00. Click here to register your attendance, or call +44 (0) 20 7924 4004 for more information.
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