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  1. Clinical negligence: claimant
  2. Leading individuals

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP has ‘impressive infrastructure and talented individuals’, with a diverse practice including claims relating to birth injury, delayed diagnosis, fatalities, and accident and emergency negligence. Practice head Paul McNeil is ‘in a class of his own’, and one of the ‘foremost litigators in the country’. The highly experienced Richard Vallance is also recommended, as is Samantha Critchley, who ‘goes from strength to strength’. Clients also rate senior associates Richard Earle and Mark Bowman, a ‘rising star’ who ‘has the makings of a great forensic litigator’. Several recruits joined from Charles Russell LLP in 2010, including the ‘tenacious and hardworking’ Edwina Rawson, who ‘frequently achieves impressive results’.

With a ‘seemingly endless supply of top-end work’, Irwin Mitchell LLP fields one of the largest teams in the market and earns ‘nothing but praise’ from many clients, and is noted for its national network of teams and ‘inspirational choice of barristers’. Areas of particular expertise include obstetric, neurosurgical, psychiatric and oncology claims. The group regularly obtains claim settlements exceeding £4m, with some recent cases topping £7m. Its ‘standout performers’ include practice head Alison Eddy, a ‘pioneer in clinical negligence cases who is very experienced’, and Auriana Griffiths, who is ‘honest and supportive, and gives good advice’. Other notable practitioners include Ian Christian, and Amanda Stevens; the latter joined from Charles Russell LLP and is experienced in clinical negligence and personal injury cases.

Kingsley Napley LLP’s ‘top-flight’ clinical negligence team remains a ‘front runner’, and provides an ‘amazing level of service’. Recent instructions include substantial claims involving birth injury, inquests and fatal accidents, and spinal injury. Practice head Kate Rohde ‘continues to be a leader in this field’, and is ‘highly intelligent and always calm under pressure’. Other notable names include Ross Brain, whose recent work includes acting for children with cerebral palsy, and Stephanie Code, who is excellent for complex litigation and ‘has the patience of a saint’. Newly promoted partner Verity Danziger is well liked by clients; Alison Moore is ‘a hidden gem who deserves full recognition’; and Terrence Donovan and Jock Mackenzie are also recommended.

Russell Levy heads Leigh Day & Co’s practice, which is widely viewed as a market leader, thanks to its ‘very large team of experienced lawyers’ including 12 partners. The firm’s strong focus on healthcare is a boon, and within clinical negligence, the team’s areas of expertise include obstetrics and gynaecology, cancers, cerebral palsy, infections and inquests. Henry Dyson is renowned for cardiac, vascular surgery and orthopaedic cases. Other recommended partners are Anne Winyard, Claire Fazan, Olive Lewin, Sally Jean Nicholes, Sarah Campbell, Nicola Wainwright, Suzanne White, Frances Swaine, Alison Millar and Sean Humber. John Grace QC recently retired.

Anthony Gold’s team ‘gives good advice’, and has ‘outstanding knowledge’, with particular expertise in birth injury, orthopaedic and psychiatric injury claims, including cases involving children with brain injuries. ‘Totally dedicated’ practice head Jon Nicholson is ‘brilliant – kind, knowledgeable, wise, and determined’. Jenny Kennedy is recommended for her ‘integrity’ and ability to ‘inspire confidence from the outset’. David Marshall, Ali Malsher and Stephanie Prior are also recommended.

Parlett Kent is a niche medical law practice with a well-established reputation for handling top cases including those involving disabled children, misdiagnosis and treatment of cancer, fatalities, and psychiatric negligence. The firm has a strong focus on serious cases, including those that reach the High Court and County Court. Its ‘high-level team of experienced lawyers’ is led by senior partner Caroline Jenkins, whose ‘relatively low profile understates the quality of the work and her team’. Clients also recommend London-based Shurouk Al-Sabbagh, Julie Say and Manori Wellington; and Exeter-based Jayshree Nathwani and Magi Young, ‘an extremely experienced and committed lawyer who thinks outside the box’.

Russell-Cooke LLP’s ‘top-quality’ practice has ‘a number of talented individuals’ including team head Deborah Blythe. Recent work includes advising in inquests, and in complex cases relating to brain, spinal, ophthalmic, and birth injury. Janice Gardner has ‘impressive ability to focus’, and ‘enormous experience and perception’. Dominic Fairclough and consultant Terry Lee are also recommended.

Stewarts Law LLP’s ‘simply excellent’ clinical negligence team is a ‘strong outfit’ with ‘some excellent individuals’ who are ‘innovative, dedicated and successful’. The firm focuses exclusively on catastrophic cases. Practice head Muiris Lyons is ‘conscientious and incisive’, and shows ‘good judgement’. Robert Dransfield and Nick Knowles are also recommended.

Bindmans LLP provides ‘excellent service and value for money’, demonstrates ‘exceptional knowledge of medical reports’, and draws on the firm’s wider public law and human rights expertise as required. While it handles a broad range of clinical negligence cases, it has a particular emphasis on brain injury claims. The ‘superb’ Jon Crocker displays ‘excellent people skills’. Lynn Knowles and Siobhan Kelly are ‘very knowledgeable’, and ‘confident when reviewing reports’.

Bolt Burdon Kemp is an established presence in the clinical negligence arena, with Caroline Klage at the forefront. Recent achievements include settling a complex birth injury case for a seven-figure sum. The team also handled a claim for catastrophic mental and physical injuries resulting from a stroke after negligent medical treatment. Jo Chapman is also recommended.

Hodge Jones & Allen LLP is ‘well known in the clinical negligence field’, and ‘has a solid core of experienced people’. The ‘particularly good’ Olivia Lawson and Nina Ali ‘combine excellent case management skills with very good client care’. Recent instructions include a case involving failure to adequately monitor sickle cell disease, and a breast reduction resulting in serious injury.

Penningtons Solicitors LLP enhanced its capabilities in London in 2010 by recruiting the ‘first-class’, ‘charming and client-friendly’ John Kyriacou from Pattinson & Brewer. Also recommended is Philippa Luscombe, who is ‘professional, sensitive and caring’; the ‘very tenacious’ Tim Palmer; Alison Appelboam-Meadows, who ‘really gets to grips with cases and sorts out difficult problems’; and associate Grainne Barton.

Russell Jones & Walker attracts high-profile cases, for private and publicly funded clients. Paul Sankey is an ‘absolutely brilliant’ lawyer, ‘utterly professional’, and with ‘a wide range of knowledge within the medical negligence area’. Practice head James Bell is also recommended.

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