Mr William Glassey > Herbert Smith Freehills LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP
EXCHANGE HOUSE
PRIMROSE STREET
LONDON
EC2A 2EG
England

Living Wage

William Glassey photo

Work Department

Insurance & Professional Risks

Position

Partner

Career

Will Glassey is a commercial litigator who specialises in professional negligence claims.  He has a particular emphasis on handling claims against solicitors, barristers, pensions actuaries, insurance brokers and property professionals.

The subject matter of the claims in which he is instructed is diverse, but he has a particular focus on claims arising from transactions, including corporate, commercial, real estate and finance transactions, and he has extensive experience in claims arising from pensions, tax, litigation and insurance issues.

In addition, Will represents professional firms and individual professionals in regulatory investigations and disciplinary proceedings: he has handled matters before the Solicitors Regulation Authority, the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal, the ICAEW, the Serious Fraud Office, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, the FCA, and the Takeover Panel.

He also advises both insurers and policyholders on insurance coverage issues arising under professional indemnity policies.   He has conducted disputes (including several leading reported cases) concerning all of the issues which typically arise under professional indemnity policies including notification and attachment, aggregation, dishonesty (conduct) exclusions, cyber coverage, fee and trading debt exclusions, and coverage for fines and penalties.  Those disputes are conducted both in court and in arbitrations.

He also represents insurers and reinsurers in reinsurance coverage disputes.

Will was an associate in legacy Herbert Smith’s Disputes team in London. Prior to re-joining Herbert Smith Freehills in 2021, Will was Head of Insurance Disputes in London and Global co-Head of Insurance at another international city law firm.

Education

Will studied at the University of Auckland (LLB (Hons)).

Lawyer Rankings

London > Employment > Pensions: dispute resolution

The pensions disputes practice at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP‘s workload includes matters ranging from advising clients in their responses to the gilt crisis, assisting in professional negligence cases, and advising on claims for investment losses incurred by trustees. Samantha Brown and William Glassey dually lead the ‘fantastic team of really classy litigators’; Brown is well-equipped to handle declaratory proceedings and Glassey is particularly experienced in professional negligence cases against solicitors, barristers, and pensions actuaries. Senior associate Dan Saunders, described as ‘responsive and a pleasure to deal with’, is a key contact for work wherein sponsoring employers are navigating issues in scheme documentation. Antonia Pegden and Philip Lis are also recommended for their ‘fantastic’ work.

London > Insurance > Professional negligence

(Hall of Fame)

William GlasseyHerbert Smith Freehills LLP

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP has is instructed on numerous high-level instructions from leading firms. The firm also has a strong financial sector presence, reflected by a client list which includes numerous major banks, including National Australia Bank and UBS. William Glassey is experienced in defending solicitors, barristers, pensions actuaries, and property professionals in diverse subject matters. Paul Lewis specialises in disputes involving solicitors, insurance brokers, and pensions advisors. Sarah McNally regularly advises clients in construction, infrastructure, energy, and so forth. Antonia Pegden specialises in technical pensions and solicitor’s professional negligence.