Lawyers strengthen Midlands dispute resolution practice with new partner hire

European law firm Fieldfisher continues its investment with the hire of leading commercial disputes partner Darren Kenny (pictured).

Darren joins Fieldfisher from DWF, effective 2 January 2025, and will be based in the firm's Birmingham office.

Darren is a Band 1 ranked lawyer and has more than 17 years of experience in high-stakes international litigation, arbitration, fraud, asset recovery, and technology-related disputes.

He has acted on cases worth billions of dollars and is recognised for his strategic acumen and technical skills.

His practice extends to commercial contract disputes, corporate and shareholder disagreements and software licensing disputes.

He also has significant expertise in the financial services and technology sectors, two of the firm’s key focus areas.

With a proven track record of handling complex, high-value cases, Darren’s notable matters include acting as an English law expert on a $9 billion oil dispute, a $500 million fraud arbitration between two billionaires before the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), and a $250 million banking dispute concerning a Cypriot energy fund.

Darren’s addition will also significantly bolster Fieldfisher Birmingham's dispute resolution team's standing as a Tier 1 practice and the largest in the Midlands, reinforcing the firm's commitment to building a full-service disputes practice in the region. 

This appointment is a continuation of significant growth for the Birmingham office, which recently welcomed Corporate Partner Tom Rush.

The office also delivered a stellar financial year with 16 per cent growth in FY23/24, making Birmingham Fieldfisher’s fastest-growing office in the UK.

Darren’s hire marks another milestone in Fieldfisher’s ongoing expansion of its dispute resolution capabilities.

Fieldfisher's disputes offering now comprises more than 60 partners in the UK and over 450 contentious lawyers across the firm’s international network.

Over the past 12 months, the firm has enhanced its specialist litigation offering through notable additions, including commercial and banking litigation expert John McElroy, competition litigation partners Richard Pike and Stephen Critchley in London, insolvency litigation partner Chris Keane in Manchester, and arbitration specialists Marc Krestin in Amsterdam and Pedro Claros in Spain.

With Darren’s addition, Fieldfisher is expanding to solidify its position as a leading force in dispute resolution.

Richard Waugh, Head of Dispute Resolution in Birmingham, added: “I’m excited to welcome Darren to the Birmingham disputes team.

“Bringing in a partner of Darren's calibre is a clear reflection of the strength of the Midlands market.

“As the region’s largest dispute resolution offering, we are committed to providing specialist litigation and arbitration expertise that meets the evolving needs of clients locally, nationally and internationally.”

Darren Kenny added: “Fieldfisher is renowned for its European-wide dispute resolution capabilities and top-tier offering across multiple practice areas.

“The firm’s international network, particularly its strength in the financial services and technology sectors, aligns perfectly with my expertise and the needs of my clients.

“The investment in Birmingham, with its dynamic growth and strategic importance, offers an exciting platform to provide seamless, high-quality support for clients.

“I look forward to collaborating with colleagues in the Birmingham office and across Europe on complex, cross-border disputes and legal challenges.”