Tessa McKeown

Senior Associate

Tessa is a litigator and dispute resolution lawyer, specialising in commercial disputes, professional negligence claims and insurance matters.

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Tessa practises a broad spectrum of civil and commercial litigation and disputes work. Tessa has experience with general commercial and property disputes, contract and negligence claims and in assisting clients responding to regulatory investigations.

In the insurance sector Tessa advises liability and general insurers on indemnity issues and defends professionals facing civil liability claims and disciplinary processes, including lawyers, accountants, directors, real estate agents and construction professionals.

Tessa has appeared in the District Court and as junior counsel in the High Court and Supreme Court. Tessa has also represented clients in mediations and settlement meetings.

Before re-joining Duncan Cotterill, Tessa completed a Master of Law at the University of Cambridge and then spent several years practising complex commercial litigation in London, where she represented multinational clients across a broad range of disputes and regulatory investigations in England, Europe and the United States.

Recent highlights

  • Assisting lawyers, accountants, directors, real estate agents and construction professionals in response to disciplinary investigations and civil negligence claims.
  • Acting for insurers in relation to claims arising out of major events, such as earthquakes and fires.
  • Representing the Joint Administrators of insolvent companies in pursuit of recovery claims arising out of large corporate failures.
  • Advising claimants on reputation and media law issues, including pursuing defamation claims and securing withdrawals or amendments prior to publication and broadcast.
  • Advising companies and individuals faced with internal investigations and regulatory inquiries, including in relation to allegations of sexual misconduct in the workplace, bribery and corruption. 

Tessa's insights

Building reform – key changes affecting consumers and the building industry

26 November 2025

UK Court of Appeal rules on fair presentation

10 September 2025

Government announces change to joint and several liability regime

20 August 2025

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