Kennedys’ new global managing partner and regional leadership

Kennedys has appointed Meg Catalano as the firm’s global managing partner, effective November 1, 2024. Catalano is currently the regional managing partner for the US and a member of the firm’s five-strong executive group, which is responsible for setting and implementing the strategic direction and business operations of the firm.

As the first global managing partner from an international office, Catalano will be responsible for the strategic and operational management of the firm’s global network of 48 offices, and will relocate to the firm’s London office in 2025. Catalano has been a partner of Kennedys since 2017 when Carroll McNulty & Kull (CMK) and Kennedys merged. Following the merger, she became the US regional managing partner of Kennedys and joined the firm’s Global Strategy Board which pre-dated the firm’s Executive Group.

Catalano has extensive international insurance coverage and commercial litigation experience, representing corporate clients, and domestic and international insurers on large claims losses and risk analysis. She is also a founder of the Kennedys Women’s Initiative in the US, and has been instrumental in helping Kennedys to be recognised for its commitment to driving diversity in leadership, having achieved Mansfield Certification in both the US and UK.

“I am proud to be taking on this new role. When CMK first merged with Kennedys we had 1,700 people operating across 32 offices. Today, Kennedys has 2,900 people, operating across 48 offices in 21 countries. We have achieved so much, and I am honoured to help lead the firm through continued global growth to bring the firm’s vision and strategy to life, for our people and our clients,” commented Catalano.

Regional leadership announcements

Kennedys is also announcing the appointment of Eric Hiller as the firm’s new regional managing partner for the US, and Michael Hennessy as the regional managing partner for LATAM and Caribbean. Hiller has been the firm’s Florida managing partner having been with Kennedys for almost four years. Based in Miami, Hiller represents domestic and international insurers in high-profile coverage litigation and bad faith matters throughout the United States, the Virgin Islands, and the greater Caribbean. “Kennedys’ presence in the US has grown tremendously in the last three years, and I’m looking forward to what lies ahead for our firm in North America as we continue delivering on our strategic plan of growing the range of services the US can deliver to both our domestic and global clients,” added Hiller.

Hennessy joined Kennedys in 2011 on relocating to Miami from London. He has vast expertise in Latin America. Originally from Mexico, Hennessy is an English qualified solicitor and is one of Mexico’s foremost legal experts in insurance matters. He is the head of large/complex claims and reinsurance for Mexico, focusing on insurance and reinsurance coverage advice and dispute resolution. Hennessy is based in Mexico. Hennessy commented, “In just eight years, Kennedys has established itself as one of the biggest and fastest growing insurance law firms in LATAM. As a founding partner of the Mexico City office, moving into this role is really meaningful to me, and I am looking forward to continue making Kennedys the firm of choice for our people and our clients.”