Global law firm Clyde & Co has officially announced the promotion of Luke O’Kane, currently serving as a special counsel based in Sydney, to the role of partner. The elevation is set to take effect in early 2024.
Expressing his enthusiasm about the upcoming role, O’Kane stated, “We have a great team going into 2024, and I look forward to growing our practice and supporting our clients,” as mentioned in a company media release.
In his new capacity, O’Kane will lead a team of seven lawyers across Clyde & Co’s Australia offices. His primary focus will be on representing insurers in both litigated and un-litigated general and public liability claims, in addition to handling regulatory investigations and inquiries.
O’Kane’s distinguished career encompasses overseeing a wide spectrum of personal injury cases, including fatality and catastrophic injuries, general liability, historical sexual abuse, property damage, and professional indemnity claims. The release highlighted his role in providing counsel on complex coverage and defense matters to major Australian and London insurers and reinsurers, brokers, and corporations. His litigation activities span across all Australian states and territories, covering claims at various jurisdictional levels. O’Kane also frequently serves as coverage counsel for insurers involved in larger commercial and regulatory disputes.
With significant expertise in managing claims related to defective products and product recalls, particularly in mass tort litigation, O’Kane brings valuable experience to the table. Prior to joining Clyde & Co in 2017, he gained substantial experience working for the Chief Judge at Common Law in the Supreme Court of New South Wales.
Rebecca Kelly, recently appointed Australian managing partner at Clyde & Co, noted that O’Kane’s promotion would enhance the firm’s capability to handle some of the most complex work in the market and beyond Australia. Simon McConnell, chair of the APAC board and partner at Clyde & Co in Hong Kong, emphasized that O’Kane’s elevation to partner reflects not only his exceptional abilities but also the firm’s commitment to growing its global insurance practice and casualty practices.
O’Kane expressed his anticipation of the challenges in 2024, stating, “Joining the partnership of Clyde & Co is a fantastic milestone,” and highlighting the continuous rise in market demands in the specialty area, working for the world’s leading insurance law firm, and handling complex cases from clients.
