Clifford Chance LLP deploys ‘a knowledgeable, commercial, pragmatic and dedicated team’ that covers the full range of life, non-life, ILS, M&A, reinsurance, and other regulatory and transactional mandates for clients. The firm leverages a similar breadth in terms of its geographical footprint, with proven capabilities in handling complex cross-border M&A and restructures. The strengths of the team have been bolstered with the promotion to partner of Imogen Ainsworth, who works across insurance, asset, and wealth management, and James Cashier, who is experienced in cross-border M&A, restructures, and regulatory matters, in May 2022 and April 2023 respectively. The ‘very technically capable and utterly client-focused’ Ashley Prebble heads the firm’s global insurance offering and also heads the work on financial institutions, working across the full regulatory and transactional offering of the firm. Cheng Li Yow is noted for her work in non-contentious reinsurance mandates and has a particular strength in ILS transactions and platforms where she has advised on a number of innovative mandates. Hilary Evenett lends her significant experience in insurance to the practice.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'Clifford Chance's insurance team is genuinely outstanding. Ashley Prebble leads a knowledgeable, commercial, pragmatic and dedicated team. Beyond the core insurance team, Ashley is very skilled at getting us the right people for the job, be it in the UK or beyond in Europe, Asia and the USA. I would not hesitate to use Ashley for all our big ticket work.'
'Clifford Chance stands out as a foremost practice in the corporate insurance and regulatory space. Their regulatory offering is second to none, they confidently handle corporate and M&A transactions, and they are among the few teams with the experience and breath to handle Lloyd's transactions with aplomb.'
'Ashley Prebble is very technically capable and utterly client-focused. He has exemplary people skills and the ability to "read the room", navigating negotiations and tricky interpersonal situations like few in the field. Ego is not a factor, he is willing and able to pivot to client needs and requests, but will stand firm where necessary. James Cashier is a highly skilled technical lawyer and has recently, and deservedly, been made partner. Our experience of James' work in the Lloyd's M&A space has been absolutely excellent.'
'Both the Insurance and Regulatory Practice, as well as the wider Clifford Chance team that support us, provide real partnership. It is not just about fee earning, but also about how our teams collaborate. For example, we have worked on virtual internships with Clifford Chance as part of their overall program. They understand not only our business but also what we stand for as a company.'
'When you work with this team it feels like we are working together as one team. Cheng Li Yow is an excellent relationship partner and is well supported by newly made up partners such as Imogen Ainsworth and James Cashier. Clifford Chance have a diverse team in this area and have looked to solidify the practice in the U.S. with some strategic hires.'
'A large team with a wide skill set and significant capacity and capability. Very responsive and quick to understand the brief.'
'Cheng Li has a calm and attentive manner, which makes her a pleasure to work with. The team is responsive and their advice is consistently accurate.'

Key clients

Admiral Group plc
Athora Group
AXA S.A.
EnStar
Fidelis Underwriting Limited
Inigo Limited
Legal & General
Lloyd's of London
LV=
Monument Re
Pool Re
RSA
Swiss Re
The Prudential Insurance Company of America
Vesttoo

Lawyers

Hall of Fame

The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.

Hilary Evenett

Hall of fameClifford Chance LLP

Leading individuals