David Kearney

David co-founded Wotton Kearney in 2002. The vision then was to be the pre-eminent insurance law firm in Australasia, and whilst WK has moved into aligned markets, the firm remains on track to achieve that goal and more – as Asia Pacific’s Insurance and Risk Legal Business. As WK’s CEP, he leads the firm in its response to transforming insurance and legal services industries. He has practised insurance law for over 25 years in most classes of commercial insurance. Recognised internationally for his expertise, David has been ranked as the only Eminent Practitioner for insurance law in Australia by Chambers Asia Pacific since 2016. The Legal 500 Asia Pacific has consistently rated David as a Leading Individual and Insurance Business Magazine included David in its highly regarded annual “Hot List” of key influencers in the sector. David is passionate about continuing WK’s development as a successful, trailblazing legal business. In 2019, he engineered the firm’s move to a corporate structure, mindful of the investment required to succeed in a transforming market for legal services. In 2022, he led a partial sale of the business to private equity firm Straight Bat, a first for legal services in this region, and in 2024-25 David oversaw WK’s expansion in Asia Pacific, opening offices in Singapore and Bangkok. Apart from the success of the firm he co-founded, David is most proud of the quality of talent which has progressed through the business to partial ownership, and of WK’s Pro Bono and Responsible Business Program, Community Footprint.