NEW YORK—Steve Lipin, who joined Brunswick’s US operations in 2001 and helped to build the firm into a leader in the market, is leaving to start his own communications advisory firm.

Lipin—who was a senior partner—joined Brunswick from The Wall Street Journal, where he was finance editor and covered mergers and acquisitions activity. He helped to build UK-based Brunswick into a leader in the North American M&A business: last year, the firm was number four in the US in terms of deals worked, and number three in terms of the value of those deals.

But Brunswick has also expanded significantly beyond the high-profile M&A business, helping companies defend against activist investors, managing litigation and other crises, supporting companies through bankruptcies and restructurings, counseling CEOs and boards, and providing ongoing financial and corporate communications support. It now has 300 employees in the US.

That expansion will continue under the current US managing partner Mark Palmer, the firm said.

In a statement, Brunswick said: “Steve Lipin has been a valued member of Brunswick's team for the last 15 years and we thank him for his significant contribution to the firm. Brunswick is the global leader in M&A communications, and is now equally well known for its diverse array of capabilities that enable our clients to better navigate the dynamic business environment.”

Added Lipin: ““Brunswick is the premier strategic firm in our sector with a top-notch reputation and global capabilities second to none. I wish the firm and my colleagues the very best as they go from strength to strength. It has been a privilege working at the firm for the past 16 years.”