Gallagher Bassett buys Mays Brown
Gallagher Bassett (GB) has announced the acquisition of Mays Brown, a London-based boutique law firm specialising in shipping and maritime legal services.
According to GB the incorporation of the Mays Brown specialty marine portfolio, with an established international client base of shipowners, operators, charterers, P&I clubs, insurers and shipyards, marks a significant expansion of capabilities for GB’s legal solutions division. This follows GB’s acquisitions of Germany-based specialist marine claims service provider Reck & Co. in early 2026, global marine and transit claims manager W K Webster in 2025 and professional liability legal firm Caytons Law in 2024.
The Mays Brown team, founded and led by Joe Mays and David Wartski, will join GB under the direction of Manan Sagar, chief executive of GB’s Europe, Middle East and Asia operations.
Sagar commented: “The acquisition of Mays Brown, in conjunction with our recent M&A activity, positions Gallagher Bassett as the preeminent provider of marine claims, legal and consulting services globally. It’s a corner of the market that requires considerable knowledge and naturally complements our claims management expertise.”
Wartski expressed excitement about the timing of the acquisition and for his firm’s future as part of GB: “For more than 20 years, we have built Mays Brown into a trusted name in the maritime sector. The opening of our Newcastle upon Tyne office at the end of 2025, led by senior admiralty lawyer and master mariner, Andreas Welz and his team, complements our existing dry shipping expertise and now enables us to support clients on marine casualties and admiralty disputes.
“Becoming part of Gallagher Bassett gives us an excellent opportunity to build on the first-class service standards we have set and offer our clients the full spectrum of maritime law solutions. We are all very much looking forward to what lies ahead.”
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