Wotton Kearney, an international law firm focused on insurance and risk, has expanded its footprint in Asia with the opening of a new office in Bangkok, Thailand.
This marks the firm’s second location in Asia and its 11th office globally, following the establishment of a Singapore office in 2024.
The move reflects the firm’s ongoing effort to build a comprehensive Asia-Pacific presence, enabling closer support for clients active across Southeast Asia’s insurance and commercial sectors.
Ian Johnston (pictured) has been appointed as partner to lead the new Bangkok office.
He joined Wotton Kearney from Clyde & Co and has more than two decades of legal experience in Asia, with qualifications in both England & Wales and Hong Kong.
Johnston said the firm’s platform offered an opportunity to deliver localised expertise within a cohesive regional practice.
“Having worked in Asia for over two decades, I know the importance of delivering technical excellence, commercial acumen, and cultural insight. The opportunity to build the firm’s Bangkok presence and collaborate with our Asia and global teams is one I welcome wholeheartedly,” he said.
Johnston’s expertise spans insurance litigation and arbitration, particularly in the energy, infrastructure, and commercial property sectors. He has managed claims involving turbine failures, biogas systems, and business interruption losses, among other complex issues.
He is joined by:
The Bangkok team will coordinate with Wotton Kearney’s wider Asia offices to support cross-border client needs.
Johnston’s recent caseload included litigation involving turbine collapses in Thailand, power plant damage in Laos, and fire-related claims in biogas facilities.
His broader portfolio includes claims in Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines, where he has advised on construction loss, liability, and reinsurance matters.
He has also led negotiations in high-value subrogation claims and advised on property and industrial asset damage across multiple jurisdictions. His dual qualification and long-standing practice in Asia position him to support complex cross-border disputes.
Ben Nicholson, Wotton Kearney’s managing partner for Asia, said the Bangkok launch aligns with the firm’s broader regional strategy.
“Thailand is a critical market in the region, and opening in Bangkok allows us to be closer to clients operating across Southeast Asia. This is another exciting milestone in our broader Asia growth strategy,” he said.
He added that the firm is focused on building a network that combines legal capability with local relevance.
“We’re building a cohesive regional practice with deep local expertise that supports our clients across borders. Ian’s leadership and reputation in complex insurance disputes make him the ideal person to lead this next chapter,” Nicholson said.
According to the firm, the Bangkok office will handle claims and advisory matters related to energy and infrastructure projects, property damage, subrogation, and professional liability.
The office aims to support insurance carriers, reinsurers, and commercial entities facing regulatory and operational risk challenges in the region.
