Kennedys Adds 14-Attorney Aviation Trial Team From Cunningham Swaim, Opens Dallas Office
Why It MattersConsolidation of specialist US aviation trial boutiques into global litigation firms concentrates complex aviation dispute expertise, widening the resources available to airlines, insurers and manufacturers facing high-exposure trials.
Global litigation and dispute resolution law firm Kennedys announced on Nov. 2, 2026, that a 14-attorney team from Dallas-based aviation trial boutique Cunningham Swaim has joined the firm. The team is led by partners Ross Cunningham and Steven Sanfelippo and represents airlines, insurers, manufacturers and other aviation sector stakeholders in complex, high-exposure aviation trials in the US. Ross Cunningham and Don Swaim are members of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA). Collectively, the team has handled more than 200 aviation trials nationwide, spanning more than 1,500 trial days.
Kennedys' existing global aviation practice has teams across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and Latin America, with approximately 50 lawyers, including 17 partners. The arrival of the team establishes a new Dallas office, expanding the firm's presence in Texas to serve clients across aviation, product liability and insurance sectors. Eric Hiller, US Managing Partner, said the addition builds on existing capabilities with complementary experience and resources.
In its FY26 results, Kennedys reported its 12th consecutive year of growth, with global revenue up 9.1% to a record $615 million; North America revenue rose 22.5%. In the US, the firm now has 13 offices, more than 100 partners and over 330 attorneys in total, with recent additions in New York, Los Angeles and Seattle. Kennedys has over 3,000 people across 45 offices in 18 countries.
