Marine insurance specialist Dr Jennifer Lavelle joins Stephenson Harwood as Partner

Law firm Stephenson Harwood LLP has strengthened its Commercial Litigation practice with the arrival of marine insurance specialist Dr Jennifer Lavelle, who joins the firm as a Partner in London.

Jennifer advises on coverage instructions and the handling of recovery claims arising from charterparties, bills of lading, marine casualties and salvage. She is widely recognised as a leading adviser for cargo coverage instructions, in London and internationally.

Jennifer holds an LL.M. in Maritime Law and a Ph.D. in Commercial Law. She spent two years at the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development in Geneva, advising on a range of maritime matters, including oil pollution at sea and piracy.

“Jennifer’s market-leading cargo coverage expertise, collaborative approach, and dedication to exceptional client service makes her an excellent addition to our growing insurance practice,” said Partner Tal Goldsmith, Global Co-Head of Commercial Litigation, Stephenson Harwood. “Transportation and trade is one of our key areas of focus, and Jennifer adds depth and breadth to our offering in the sector. Her extensive knowledge of cargo coverage is a clear differentiator, which complements the team’s existing capabilities, and further enhances our ability to meet the increasingly complex needs of our clients.”

“Our dedicated insurance team has experienced significant growth in the last five years, as we have invested in building one of the strongest teams in the sector,” said Partner Alex Davis, Stephenson Harwood’s Head of Insurance, London. “Adding a lawyer of Jennifer’s calibre builds on our position at the forefront of the marine insurance market.”

Stephenson Harwood is recognised as a leading adviser for complex commercial insurance and reinsurance matters. Our team brings specialist knowledge and a reputation for excellence across highly technical coverage issues. We offer a full-service approach, supporting clients with policy drafting, risk assessment, and dispute resolution, both in the UK and internationally