Alabama-based law firm Maynard Cooper & Gale, which is nationally known for its insurance law practice, has announced the opening of a new office in San Francisco. The law firm said the move to expand its West Coast presence was made upon demands from existing clients and related opportunities. The new office will initially focus on three practice areas: sports and entertainment law, insurance and financial services litigation, and complex ERISA litigation.
Maynard Cooper is a 200-lawyer firm founded in 1984 in Alabama. Recently, the BTI Consulting Group had ranked the firm’s insurance practice as among the top six in the nation.
For building the strength of its operations in San Francisco the law firm has hired litigator Christopher Rilo as a partner. Rilo is well-known across the country for his expertise in benefits litigation and he has defended plan sponsors, fiduciaries and service providers in numerous complex benefits litigation.
Drew Kitchen, a partner in Maynard Cooper’s Birmingham office will relocate and will serve as managing partner of the San Francisco office. Kitchen advises financial institutions and insurers.
Mark Drew, managing shareholder of Maynard Cooper said on the launch of the new office, “Our expansion strategy is driven by what is in the best interest of our clients, and they have shown overwhelming support for our establishing a West Coast presence. Our experience and reputation will allow us to capitalize on additional opportunities in California’s vibrant market”
On Drew Kitchen’s relocation, Mark said, “Drew has been particularly effective at expanding our firm’s West Coast client base, and I have every confidence that he will be even more successful once he is living in San Francisco. Having one of our lawyers who has been with this firm his entire career heading up a new office made this an easy decision.”
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