Acquisition adds specialist shipping and maritime legal expertise to the legal solutions division
Gallagher Bassett has acquired Mays Brown Solicitors, a London-based boutique law firm specialising in shipping and maritime legal services, as part of its continued expansion in the marine sector. The acquisition was announced by Gallagher Bassett, a subsidiary of Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., and adds Mays Brown’s maritime legal practice to the company’s legal solutions division.
Mays Brown has an established international client base that includes shipowners, operators, charterers, protection and indemnity (P&I) clubs, insurers and shipyards. According to Gallagher Bassett, the acquisition significantly expands its capabilities in marine legal services and follows a series of transactions aimed at strengthening its position in the sector.
The company acquired Germany-based specialist marine claims service provider Reck & Co. GmbH earlier in 2026. It also completed the acquisition of global marine and transit claims manager W K Webster in 2025 and professional liability law firm Caytons Law in 2024.
Mays Brown was founded by Joe Mays and David Wartski. The firm’s team will join Gallagher Bassett under the leadership of Manan Sagar, Chief Executive Officer for Gallagher Bassett’s Europe, Middle East and Asia operations. Commenting on the transaction, Sagar said the acquisition, combined with the company’s recent merger and acquisition activity, strengthens Gallagher Bassett’s position in marine claims, legal and consulting services.
He said the marine sector requires specialist knowledge and complements the organisation’s existing claims management expertise. David Wartski, director and founding partner of Mays Brown, said the firm had spent more than 20 years building its reputation within the maritime sector.
He highlighted the opening of the firm’s Newcastle upon Tyne office at the end of 2025, led by senior admiralty lawyer and master mariner Andreas Welz and his team. According to Wartski, the Newcastle office expanded the firm’s capabilities beyond dry shipping work and enabled it to support clients involved in marine casualties and admiralty disputes.
He said joining Gallagher Bassett would provide an opportunity to build on the firm’s existing service standards while offering clients access to a broader range of maritime law services. The transaction was managed by Matt Foote, Gallagher Bassett’s Global Head of Mergers and Acquisitions.
Foote said the deal reflects the company’s strategy of pursuing acquisition opportunities that align with its core values and support long-term growth objectives. Gallagher Bassett said the acquisition forms part of its strategy to expand its marine claims, legal and consulting capabilities globally.