Duane, Morris LLP has named Brian P. Kerwin chair of the firm’s global corporate practice group — the first time a Chicago lawyer has led any of the Philadelphia-founded firm’s practices. Kerwin was among the partners who in 1999 opened Duane, Morris’ office here, which now houses 48 attorneys. He primarily represents private equity funds, banks and other institutional lenders in middle-market business and financing transactions, closing an average of 20 to 25 deals a year, he said. “We …