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  1. Clinical negligence: claimant
  2. Leading individuals: Clinical negligence

Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP maintains its outstanding reputation in the market. Led by the ‘exceptionally talented’ Paul McNeil, the team provides a ‘first-class’ service at all levels of experience. Edwina Rawson added to her reputation as a ‘brilliant’, ‘intelligent’ and ‘combative’ lawyer with a well-publicised win in 2011 on behalf of a mentally ill claimant who absconded while in the care of a hospital. Samantha Critchley secured a good result for the parents of a child who failed to receive the PCV vaccine as part of the UK immunisation programme. Other key figures include associate Jonathan Zimmern, who is ‘personable’, and ‘like a dog with a bone’; Richard Earle, who displays a good mix of ‘experience and common sense’; and Mark Bowman, who is ‘professional’, with ‘an excellent skill set’.

Irwin Mitchell’s strength lies in its depth of resources and breadth of experience, with its lawyers fighting hard for their clients, both in terms of damages, and for support services required prior to the conclusion of claims. It has particular experience in cerebral palsy and spinal injury cases. Practice head Alison Eddy is ‘as good as it gets’, and exceptionally well regarded by clients and peers alike. Also recommended are Ian Christian, Amanda Stevens, and Auriana Griffiths; and up-and-coming associates Jane Weakley (‘clear’ and ‘focused’), Rebecca Cherry (‘quietly effective’) and Louise Forsyth.

Kingsley Napley LLP is a ‘first-rate’ firm where the professionalism of its practitioners remains paramount; a ‘well-run’, ‘outstanding’ team, it is ‘really thorough, and prepared to take on difficult cases’. Kate Rohde is ‘immensely experienced’; Stephanie Code has ‘excellent judgment’; and Alison Moore and Terrence Donovan are also well regarded. Attracting referrals from other lawyers, experts and previous clients, it has a varied caseload including cerebral palsy, negligent surgery and wrongful birth cases. It saw the departure of ‘leading light’ Dr Jock Mackenzie, who left the firm for Blake Lapthorn, and Ross Brain has also left the practice.

The pioneering Russell Levy heads a cohesive team of experienced solicitors at Leigh Day & Co. It is willing to take on a diversity of difficult cases, and excels at all levels of claim, but particularly in those in which it can make a real difference to the claimant’s quality of life. As well as claims involving brain injury at birth, and spinal claims of the most serious nature, it has expertise in areas such as genetics, orthopaedics, hospital infection, gynaecology, and cancer, and more esoteric issues such as lithium poisoning. Claire Fazan is ‘first rate’, and a ‘consummate professional’. Anne Winyard, Sally-Jean Nicholes and Sarah Campbell also stand out.

Anthony Gold Solicitors is a well-established firm with particular expertise in cases involving birth injury and brain damage, and orthopaedic and psychiatric injury. The team is led by the ‘intelligent and pragmatic’ Jon Nicholson, who does a ‘first-class job’. Jackie Spinks is ‘incredibly thorough’, and is recommended for child brain injury cases. David Marshall and Jenny Kennedy are ‘exceptional’, and Stephanie Prior is also recommended. All partners handle a mix of clinical negligence and personal injury work.

Bindmans LLP’s ‘small size is its strength, as the department works so well as a team’. With a team of tenacious practitioners who are not afraid to tackle difficult claims, the firm is often involved in cutting-edge work for vulnerable clients such as prisoners, detainees and the elderly. Siobhan Kelly attracts widespread praise; Jon Crocker is a ‘standout practitioner’; and associate Alla Murphy is ‘incredibly astute’.

Parlett Kent is a niche, highly specialist firm with a good name for taking on difficult cases and winning them. It attracts work of the highest value (settlements in 2011 included a £9.2m case), but also concentrates on mid-range cases, where the firm feels that it can make the most impact on the lives of claimants. The ‘sympathetic’ but ‘tough’ Caroline Jenkins has an ‘outstanding track record’; and Manori Wellington * is ‘extremely thorough and tenacious’. Julie Say and Shurouk Al-Sabbagh have left the firm.

*Manori Wellington is now with Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP.

Russell-Cooke LLP is making its mark on behalf of clients at inquests, with the ‘pragmatic’ and ‘sensitive’ Dominic Fairclough recommended. Notable successes in 2011 included a verdict of neglect in respect of a hospital death, and a verdict in relation to a death following anaesthetic complications, which resulted in referral to the police for investigation. The ‘clever, conscientious’ Deborah Blythe leads the team. Also singled out for praise are the ‘shrewd’ Janice Gardner, and ‘meticulous’ and ‘hardworking’ solicitor Lucy Wilton.

Stewarts Law LLP is recognised nationally for its expertise in high-value spinal injury cases, and it has strong relationships with spinal units across the UK. The service is client focused, and caseloads are kept low. The team is led by the well-regarded Muiris Lyons. Nick Knowles is a ‘leader in the field’, and exudes ‘quiet confidence’. Robert Dransfield is also highly recommended. Rising stars include solicitors Amy Heath; Antonia Jones; and Hugh Johnson, who achieved an excellent result in 2011 on behalf of a mentally ill claimant.

Bolt Burdon Kemp’s department is headed by the approachable and client-focused Caroline Klage, who achieved good results 2012 in catastrophic injury and missed cancer diagnosis cases. Klage runs an efficient team which includes the well-respected, Jonathan Wheeler (‘a true gentleman’); Philippa Tuckman, who specialises in high-profile claims by military personnel; and the ‘well-regarded’ Jo Chapman.

The team at Hodge Jones & Allen LLP was strengthened by the hire of Julie Say from Parlett Kent. Committed to representing all claimants irrespective of the value of claims, it handles a broad range of work including matters of the highest value and complexity, such as brain injury and cerebral palsy, obstetrics, and infection/sepsis matters.

The ‘highly rated’ James Bell at Russell Jones & Walker, part of Slater & Gordon Lawyers is instructed in high-value cases involving a broad range of injuries, which he pursues ‘aggressively where appropriate’. His efficient team handles a real variety of work, from high-value brain injury cases, to low-value cases with a faster turnover. Paul Kitson is noted for his ‘kindness’ and ‘compassion’ towards clients.

The ‘intelligent’, ‘empathetic’ and ‘courteous’ Dr Jock MacKenzie joined Blake Lapthorn in 2012. A qualified phycisian, he has previously worked at both Leigh Day & Co and Kingsley Napley LLP, and brings with him a wealth of experience. He is ‘highly recommended’ for cerebral palsy cases.

The profile of multi-office firm McMillan Williams has been raised by the arrival of Shurouk Al-Sabbagh in May 2012. Al-Sabbagh was previously a partner at Leigh Day & Co, and more recently at Parlett Kent.

At Penningtons Solicitors LLP, John Kyriacou ‘has a great depth of experience’; his ‘commitment is total’. He is well supported by an excellent team of lawyers based in the South East.

South East firm Rix & Kay Solicitors LLP opened a London office in 2011, headed by Frances Pierce. Pierce is well regarded for high-value claims, including cerebral palsy cases.

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