Lucy Dyson, insurance partner at RPC, discusses her career in insurance law, the ever-changing landscape of global risk, and the importance of curiosity and creativity in the field
“I trained at RPC 17 years ago,” says Lucy Dyson, a partner specialising in insurance law at RPC. After completing her training contract and qualifying into the insurance division, Dyson spent time at two other firms before returning to RPC as a partner three years ago. “It’s been an interesting journey,” she reflects. “Being able to expand my horizons by working at different firms, but ultimately, I came back to where I started, and it’s been an exciting time to witness the growth of the firm.”
Dyson’s role is focused on advising clients on insurance policy coverage—whether certain incidents or issues, from catastrophic events to product liability claims, are covered under their policies. “We analyse policy terms and offer guidance on how they respond to various situations, which could range from climate change impacts to major environmental incidents,” she explains. When asked about how insurance fits into this broader picture, Dyson emphasises the behind-the-scenes nature of the work. “Insurance touches everything,” she says. “My practice focuses on events like environmental risks, but there’s always an insurance aspect to most global events, be it political risks, property, or natural disasters.”
Dyson’s career in insurance law stemmed from a mix of intellectual challenge and the practical implications of her work. “When I was a trainee, I didn’t initially see myself in insurance,” she confesses. “But the cases I worked on were fascinating—whether it was a pollution or other catastrophic event, I loved the analytical aspect of looking at policy terms and figuring out whether they applied. It’s like solving a puzzle.” Insurance law is often overlooked by those outside the industry, Dyson notes, but it’s a diverse and intellectually stimulating field. “The cases we handle are complex and international, which keeps things interesting. There’s always something new to learn, and the work requires both a discerning approach to the issues and a detailed understanding of contracts,” she reveals. “I was attracted by the often-forensic nature of insurance work, as well as the international aspect.”
Her day-to-day work involves providing advisory services and resolving disputes between policyholders and insurers, Dyson tells me. “We specialise in policy coverage advice—essentially, advising on how insurance policies respond to claims and evaluating the best strategy for minimising exposure for both insurers and their clients.”
And with climate change and global risks becoming ever more prevalent, Dyson’s practice has shifted to address these emerging challenges. “We’re seeing an increase in climate-related claims,” she says. “Hurricanes, wildfires, and other catastrophic events are becoming more frequent. The challenge is understanding how these risks affect clients and how policies might respond.”
Dyson emphasizes the importance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) issues, which are becoming a significant focus within the insurance industry. “Clients are still figuring out their obligations under ESG frameworks, and insurers need to understand these risks. It’s an evolving area, but one that’s increasingly important, especially to those working in insurance.”
Having reached partnership at another firm before rejoining the ranks at RPC, I ask Dyson what her role as partner looks like at the firm. “It’s all about balancing the commercial and the legal realities,” she replies, “and getting that balance right for each individual client.” But Dyson’s role as a partner goes beyond advising on complex cases—she also invests time in building client relationships and mentoring junior lawyers. “Insurance is a very people-oriented industry,” she says. “We spend a lot of time understanding our clients’ businesses and risks, which helps us offer tailored advice.”
One of the things Dyson values most about RPC is the firm’s commitment to involving trainees early in client work. “It’s important to start building relationships from day one,” she tells me. “I’ve always encouraged younger members of the team to get involved in client meetings and events.”
For those interested in pursuing a career in insurance law, Dyson’s advice is to stay curious and open-minded. “Insurance might not sound like the most exciting area at first, but it’s incredibly varied,” she explains. “You get exposure to different industries, complex cases, and global events. If you’re detail-oriented, analytical, and enjoy solving problems, it’s a fantastic area of law.”
Dyson goes on to share some valuable tips for aspiring insurance lawyers on how to develop commercial awareness in the insurance sector. “I would approach informing myself on insurance by asking: what are a company’s operations? What are its potential problems? And what things could happen? By thinking about the purpose of the insurance industry as a whole, aspiring lawyers can build up a picture to understand the commercial purpose of insurance and how it fits into the bigger picture.”
Reflecting on her own journey, Dyson encourages young lawyers to say yes to as many opportunities as possible during their training. “A training contract is your one chance to try different areas and discover what you enjoy. Don’t be afraid to take on new challenges — you never know what you’ll end up loving.”
Meet RPC at ‘International risks: physical, geopolitical and environmental — with RPC’, a virtual event taking place on Wednesday 2 October. Apply now to attend
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