Law firm and leading lawyer rankings

Leading individuals

1
- Kevin Bitmead - Clyde & Co LLP
- Mark Burton - Kennedys
- Paul Dean - HFW
- Paul Kitson - Slater and Gordon
- Jenny Moates - BLM
- Jennette Newman - BLM
- Howard Watson - Herbert Smith Freehills LLP

Next generation lawyers

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- Jennifer Buchanan - Fieldfisher
- Yagmur Ekici - Bindmans LLP
- Claire Collins - BLM

Find out which law firms are representing which Personal injury: claimant clients in London using The Legal 500's new comprehensive database of law firm/client relationships. Instantly search over 925,000 relationships, including over 83,000 Fortune 500, 46,000 FTSE350 and 13,000 DAX 30 relationships globally. Access is free for in-house lawyers, and by subscription for law firms. For more information, contact david.burgess@legal500.com.

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Anthony Gold is ‘a leading firm with abundant experience’ in a range of high-value personal injury matters, and is noted for ‘retaining a personal approach to all its cases’. The practice has recently handled a number of complex multimillion-pound road traffic accident claims involving catastrophic brain injury, amputation and psychiatric damage. Recent high-profile matters include a multimillion-pound amputation claim relating to the Croydon tram crash in November 2016; Ian Peters acted on behalf of the client. The ‘exceptionally organised and very experienced’ team is led by the ‘bright and experienced’ David Marshall, who is ‘a pleasure to work with’ and specialises in claims involving stress at work, brain damage and psychiatric injury. The ‘committed and effective’ Jenny Kennedy has expertise in complex brain, spinal and amputation injury, as well as experience in handling cross-jurisdiction claims. The ‘brilliant’ Jackie Spinks is ‘a leader in her field’ and ‘a very good tactician’ with expertise in child brain injury claims.

Fieldfisher’s ‘excellent’ practice is ‘a leading firm in this field’ and ‘provides an excellent, bespoke service to clients’. The ‘solid’ team is among ‘the best’ and has ‘impressive industry knowledge’ and expertise in handling high-value catastrophic injury claims such as brain and spinal injury, as well as asbestos-related cases and matters involving victims of terrorist atrocities while abroad. Recent work includes a £2m cross-border claim involving a client suffering from spinal cord damage as a result of a road traffic accident. This case was handled by ‘standout litigator’ Jill Greenfield, who is ‘very smart and relentless in her pursuit of her clients’ interests’ and has expertise in cases involving neurological damage, serious orthopaedic injuries, psychiatric matters and fatality claims. Also recommended are the ‘highly professional and knowledgeable’ Peter Williams, who is ‘a leading industrial disease litigator’ and specialises in fatal mesothelioma claims; and Andrew Morgan, ‘a highly skilled lawyer who puts a great deal of time and effort into cases’ and is experienced in claims involving industrial disease and workplace accidents. ‘A first-rate performer’, Keith Barrett joined from Irwin Mitchell and is noted for his ‘his unique, personable approach’.

Irwin Mitchell’s personal injury practice handles serious brain, spinal, amputation, abuse and disease cases and is experienced in dealing with international matters, as well as acting for claimants in multi-jurisdictional claims. Recent examples of the firm’s work include a multimillion-pound group action case arising from a terrorist attack in Tunisia in 2015; the group is representing the families of 18 British citizens who were killed during the attack, as well as many of the injured victims. Department head Colin Ettinger (who is ‘the leading personal injury solicitor in the country’ according to one commentator) and specialises in handling high-value spinal and brain injury claims, as well as representing clients with serious occupational health issues. Also recommended are Alison Eddy, who is ‘a leader in this field’ and is experienced in acting for children and adults who suffer catastrophic injuries resulting in permanent profound disability; Tracey Storey, who heads the child abuse team and has particular expertise in head injury, amputation and fatal claims; and Demetrius Danas, who handles complex and high-value international cases and cross-border matters which involve jurisdictional or choice of law issues. Keith Barrett joined Fieldfisher.

Leigh Day’s ‘first-class’ team of ‘extremely committed and able lawyers’ is ‘a leader in the field’ and ‘devoted to the interests of its clients’. The firm represents a range of clients, including individuals, companies and public bodies, and is experienced in handling cases such as catastrophic spinal and brain injury, amputation and abuse claims. Department head Sally Moore has ‘broad experience’ in brain, spinal and amputation injuries and has handled high-profile fatal and severe injury claims involving cyclists. Other key figures include Martyn Day, who heads the international group claims department; the ‘careful and quietly effective’ Daniel Easton, who is ‘very experienced, organised and understanding of the issues at hand’ and specialises in industrial disease and personal injury, including complex high-value asbestos claims; the ‘fearless and determined’ Harminder Bains, who is ‘highly motivated and a formidable opponent’ and has expertise in asbestos cases and serious injury claims; and the ‘clever and measured’ Vijay Ganapathy, who specialises in public accident and child injury cases.

Stewarts Law LLP handles a range of catastrophic cases, including brain and spinal injury, amputation, burns and brachial plexus. It has acted on a number of high-profile matters, including the Alton Towers ‘Smiler’ roller-coaster accident. ‘First-class lawyer’ Paul Paxton, who is leading on that case, is ‘a supreme tactician’ and specialises in handling high-value and high-profile catastrophic and fatal injury claims. Other key figures include brain and spinal injury specialist Charles Edwards, who has a track record of handling high-value and complex personal injury cases; ‘outstanding lawyer’ Clare Salmon, who is experienced in catastrophic injury cases and has ‘great attention to detail’; the ‘determined and innovative’ Ben Rogers, who handles contentious liability disputes and claims for new assistive aids and technologies; and the ‘absolutely dedicated’ Stephanie Clarke, who is ‘an impressive solicitor’ and specialises in life-changing injuries and fatality claims arising from accidents on the road and at work.

Bindmans LLP’s ‘very highly rated’ practice is ‘known for undertaking cutting-edge litigation, particularly in the field of individual rights’. The firm provides ‘high-quality legal advice’ its ‘extremely efficient’ solicitors have ‘excellent knowledge of civil litigation for people with acquired brain injury’. In addition to complex brain injury claims, the practice is also significantly experienced in handling cases involving orthopaedic injury, neuropsychological damage, physical injury and matters relating to road traffic and cycling accidents. Department head Jon Crocker is ‘patient and good at identifying key issues early’; he is experienced in acting for clients in overseeing their complex care regimes. Complex injury specialist Siobhan Kelly is ‘efficient, knowledgeable, with great instincts’, and is recommended alongside the ‘very knowledgeable’ Yagmur Ekici, who ‘manages cases actively and efficiently’ and specialises in the quantification of complex catastrophic personal injury claims; and Alla Murphy, who has expertise in cases of catastrophic brain and spinal injury, as well as orthopaedic, psychiatric and pain conditions.

Bolt Burdon Kemp ‘provides exceptional service on a whole range of claims, from minor to catastrophic’ and ‘gives a premium service to clients’. The practice has ‘a very efficient’ team of ‘dedicated solicitors with considerable expertise and experience’ in a range of personal injury case areas including catastrophic brain and spinal injury, military claims and abuse; according to one client, it has ‘one of the best military personal injury teams around’. In addition, the firm has recently created a dedicated child brain and spinal injury department. The ‘hard-hitting and determined’ Rhicha Kapila is acting for 10 claimants in a high-profile case against the Ministry of Defence; the case concerns the Voyager aircraft which plunged 4,400 feet due to human error and caused PTSD in many of the passengers. The ‘highly rated’ Ahmed Al-Nahhas, who has expertise in military claims, is ‘classy, knowledgeable, charming and client-focussed’. Marilene Antoni is ‘a tenacious litigator’ and specialises in complex, life-changing injury claims such as brain injury.

Hodge Jones & Allen LLP’s ‘excellent’ and ‘committed’ practice is ‘a growing and impressive force in high-value personal injury work’ and has ‘a strong team of dedicated performers who work enormously hard and with tremendous diligence’. Its solicitors are ‘well-known in the field, with many great cases to their credit’ and have ‘a track record for doing good quality work’. Managing partner Vidisha Joshi shows ‘unending commitment’ to her clients and specialises in high-value cases involving life-changing injuries arising from road traffic accidents and employers liability. The ‘very thorough’ Leticia Williams is ‘an excellent litigator’ and has extensive experience in dealing with accidents that have occurred on aeroplanes, package holidays, and in prisons. Also recommended are Isobel Lovett, who is ‘highly experienced in the field of asbestos litigation’ and handles a range of other work-related illnesses; and Anne Sanders, who provides ‘very thorough and sound judgement when it comes to strategy’ and specialises in catastrophic injury cases such as serious burns, double amputation and head injury.

Osbornes fields a team of ‘strong practitioners’ who are ‘specialists in the field’ and have experience in handling high-value cases involving catastrophic brain and spinal cord injury, neurophysiological damage, abuse, injury arising from road traffic accident and workplace accident claims. The practice has handled a range of multimillion-pound cases, including representing individuals involved in a high-profile tram accident. Head of personal injury Stuart Kightley is ‘a very strong and able representative for clients’ interests’ and specialises in claims involving brain injury, cycling collisions, fatal accidents and construction site/workplace accidents, as well as being experienced in acting for foreign-based clients. The ‘dynamic and impressive’ Ben Posford is ‘a star performer’ and has expertise in severe spinal cord injury cases, including cauda equina claims.

Pattinson & Brewer continues to handle a range of accident and injury claims for individual clients and union members, with experience in cases involving asbestos-related diseases, mesothelioma, occupational stress, noise-induced hearing loss and cancer. Frances McCarthy specialises in handling maximum severity cases involving workplace accidents, occupational disease and fatal accidents. She heads the team, which includes Caroline Phelan, who is a key figure in the accident and industrial department, and Marcus Weatherby who has expertise in catastrophic spinal injury claims.

Howard Kennedy LLP’s solicitors are experienced in handling a range of accident and injury claims including spinal injury, workplace exposure, occupational stress, repetitive strain and manual handling injuries. The team acts for individuals, trade unions, professional associations, businesses and non-profit organisations, with particular experience in representing clients in the healthcare and entertainment industries. ‘Tireless and dynamic’ department head Elizabeth Smith is ‘hugely well regarded’ and ‘achieves incredible results for her clients’; she is ‘gritty and tenacious’ and specialises in work-related stress and upper-limb disorder claims.

Penningtons Manches LLP’s ‘excellent’ practice is ‘hugely experienced and respected in the field’ and is experienced in handling cases involving traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputation, burns and disfiguring injuries, and complex fatal accident claims. The ‘formidable team’ is headed by the ‘exceptionally good’ Warren Collins, who is ‘an outstandingly able solicitor’ and has ‘a unique level of experience’; he is ‘tactically very astute and commercially-minded’ and specialises in high-value catastrophic injury cases, as well as being experienced in handling cross-border jurisdictional issues.

Prince Evans Solicitors LLP ‘stands out as a firm that really knows what it’s doing’ and has a team of ‘excellent’ solicitors who ‘have the experience, legal knowledge and tactical ability to bring cases to successful conclusion’ and ‘achieve fantastic outcomes for their clients’. The practice handles a range of complex, high-value personal injury cases and has expertise in claims involving acquired brain injury, spinal cord and brachial plexus injury, and amputation and advanced prostheses. Recommended solicitors include the ‘meticulous’ Gary Smith, who is ‘a successful negotiator’, and Debra Harling, who ‘combines a methodical and diligent approach to litigation with a sensitive and practical touch’.

Russell-Cooke LLP’s ‘highly regarded’ practice has ‘a terrific reputation’ and ‘a fantastically high-quality team’ experienced in cases involving amputation, psychological damage, workplace accidents and road traffic accident claims. The firm recently acted on a £1.3m liability claim in which the client had to undergo a leg amputation as a result of a road traffic accident; the case was led by ‘supreme performer’ Janice Gardner, who is ‘incredibly client-focused’ and ‘a practitioner of very high calibre’. Department head Deborah Blythe is ‘hugely experienced and completely unflappable’ and specialises in catastrophic complex injury claims. The ‘tough, dependable and collaborative’ Dominic Fairclough is experienced in handling workplace accident claims and high-profile inquest cases.

Simpson Millar LLP’s ‘excellent’ practice has ‘an excellent team of lawyers’ who ‘go the extra mile on behalf of clients and routinely obtain excellent results for them’. The firm handles a range of cases and is known for working on behalf of trade union members and migrant workers and has expertise in catastrophic and maximum severity injury claims. The ‘particularly good’ Adrian Fawden ‘has sound judgement and many years’ experience behind him’ and is ‘not afraid to take on difficult claims’. Gary Tierney ‘provides a high level of service’ and is experienced in handling group action claims for trade union members injured in severe weather conditions.

Slater and Gordon ‘maintains a powerful presence in the personal injury market, particularly with regards to abuse work’. The practice specialises in representing adult and child victims of sexual abuse, and handles cases involving catastrophic spinal cord and brain injury, amputation and complex, high-value fatal accident claims. Recent work includes acting on behalf of 168 clients involved in the high-profile Jimmy Savile sexual abuse case. Department head Alicia Alinia is experienced in handling multimillion-pound claims and cases involving amputation, occupational stress and deafness. Nick Godwin is ‘very clever, conscientious and extremely committed’ and has particular expertise in cases involving life-changing injuries as a result of brain and spinal trauma.

Thompsons Solicitors LLP continues to handle the full range of accident and injury claims for major trade unions, as well as clients involved in road traffic or other accidents. Key figures include national head of serious injury Samantha Hemsley, who has handled a number of multimillion-pound claims and specialises in maximum severity cases, including brain injury, spinal cord injury, severe burns and amputation; and serious injury specialist Henrietta Phillips, who has expertise in catastrophic and life-changing injuries caused by accidents and work or road accidents.

McMillan Williams’s personal injury department is led by Helen Clifford, who has extensive experience in handling complex, high-value claims involving brain and spinal injury, fatal accidents, amputation and orthopaedic conditions; Clifford also specialises in claims arising from accidents in the construction industry. Justina Molloy is experienced in a range of health and injury claims involving serious life-changing injuries, and has particular experience in injuries arising from cycling accidents, road traffic accidents and accidents at work; she recently acted on a number of high-value employers’ liability and motor claims involving brain injury and tetraplegia.

Seth Lovis & Co’s ‘very good’ practice provides ‘a very high standard of advice and industry knowledge’ and specialises in cases involving asbestos-related disease such as mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis and pleural thickening. For example, the firm recently concluded a £236,000 settlement on behalf of a client in an asbestos-related disease claim for compensation after being diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma. Heading the department is the ‘excellent’ John Jackiewicz, who provides ‘a very high standard of advice and industry knowledge’ and is experienced in handling industrial disease and asbestos-related injury claims. Ingrid Esien is ‘a high-quality lawyer in this field’ and specialises in technical fatal mesothelioma cases.

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Legal Developments in London for Personal injury: claimant

New revised guidelines for administrators in pre-pack sales

Pre-pack sales by administrators are now used frequently enough for most people in business to be aware of them and many have come across them in their business lives. A small amount of controversy still attaches to pre-packs, but it is probably right to say that they are now an accepted part of the UK business scene as a useful means of rescuing a business in difficulty and preserving some or all of the jobs connected with the business.

- Druces

Legal Developments in the UK

Legal Developments and updates from the leading lawyers in each jurisdiction. To contribute, send an email request to

A closer look at Settled Status for EU citizens

Following the release of more details of the UK Government’s scheme for a streamlined application process to grant EU citizens in the UK settled status to safeguard their position following the UK’s departure from the EU, our EEA immigration solicitors here at OTS Solicitors take a look at the post-Brexit position for EU nationals and what the settled status scheme entails in more detail.

- OTS Solicitors
Which EEA Form?

For EEA nationals and their family members, making an application to the Home Office isn;t always straight forward. The first step will be to identify the relevant EEA form for the type of application you want to make.

- DavidsonMorris
FAILING TO PREVENT BRIBERY

Following the first conviction of a company for failure toprevent bribery, Aziz Rahman considers the implications of the case for thosein business.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors
MONEY LAUNDERING AND THE GAMBLING INDUSTRY

With a bookmaker being ordered to pay millions for failingto prevent money laundering, Nicola Sharp and Syedur Rahman examine how thegambling industry can tackle the problem.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors
HOW TO PREVENT WORKPLACE FRAUD

Aziz Rahman examines the scale of fraud in business andexplains how it can be prevented, identified and reported.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors
POLITICALLY EXPOSED PERSONS AND THE LEGAL RESTRICTIONS THEY FACE

Aziz Rahman and Ben Ticehurst consider the Novartis scandaland the business restrictions on those holding high office.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors
CORPORATE LIABILITY AND THE INDIVIDUAL

With much still to be decided regarding the prosecution ofindividuals over the financial scandals at Rolls-Royce and Tesco, Aziz Rahmanexamines how the fate of investigated companies can differ to that of those whoworked for them.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors
DEFENDING YOURSELF WHEN INTERNATIONAL BRIBERY ALLEGATIONS ARE MADE

Syedur Rahman and Nicola Sharp explain how corporates shouldrespond if investigated over bribery allegations abroad.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors
EU Nationals & UK Permanent Residence: What’s the Current Position?

Permanent residence status is automatically available to European Economic Area (EEA) nationals who have lived in the UK for five continuous years and who have been exercising Treaty Rights over the whole of this period. The same criteria also apply to family members of EEA nationals.

- DavidsonMorris
UNEXPLAINED WEALTH ORDERS

With unexplained wealth orders now part of UK law, Aziz Rahman assesses their likely effect and how people should respond to them.

- Rahman Ravelli Solicitors

Press Releases in the UK

The latest news direct from law firms. If you would like to submit press releases for your firm, send an email request to

OTS Solicitors Unveils Opening of Dubai Office And Invites You To A Seminar On UK Business Visa Requ

OTS Solicitors has experienced rapid success and growth over the last 12 months. As part of our expansion, the partners are now proud to announce the opening of our Dubai office on 1 st May 2018.

- OTS Solicitors
OTS Solicitors Is Expanding To Chancery Lane

OTS Solicitors is delighted to announce that due to rapid growth and expansion, the firm has now expanded into additional offices. The firm is adding 160 sq meters of office space at a new Chancery Lane branch in addition to its current 80 sq meters in the existing Fleet Street office, providing a total of 240sq meters with room for further expansion. From 12th March 2018, the team at OTS Solicitors will see all clients at their new offices located at 25 Southampton Buildings WC2A 1AL.

- OTS Solicitors
OTS Wins AI Excellence Award For The Most Trusted [Immigration] Lawyers 2017

OTS Solicitors is proud to announce we have been awarded the Acquisition International (AI) Excellence Award for the Most Trusted [ immigration ] Lawyers 2017.

- OTS Solicitors
Rare Granting Of Adult Dependent Relative Visa Thanks To OTS Solicitors

OTS Solicitors has been ranked highly by the Legal 500, and we have won numerous other awards for our immigration services (including a Global Excellence Award for the Most Trusted in Immigration Law ). OTS recently had an extraordinary success with an Adult Dependent Relative Visa being granted for the elderly relatives of a client.

- OTS Solicitors
ECJ Gives Landmark Decision In EU Spouse Case

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has ruled an EU national who becomes a British citizen does not lose the right to have a non-EU spouse live with them in the UK.

- OTS Solicitors
Pitmans crowned as top firm for trainee work/life balance

Pitmans has been awarded winner of the best work/life balance in the 2016 Lex 100 - a survey that is recognised as the most comprehensive valuation of training opportunities at law firms across the UK.

- Pitmans LLP
Gender Pay Gaps: The Latest Reporting Requirements

On average, male employees are paid more than female employees. In 2015, men working full-time were paid approximately 9.4% more than women working full-time. As a result, the government is working to introduce measures with the aim of reducing this gap.

- Pitmans LLP
Pitmans acts on Westcoast’s acquisition of Art Systems Holdings Ltd

Pitmans LLP has acted on behalf of its longstanding client, Westcoast (Holdings) Limited on its acquisition of Art Systems Holdings Limited.

- Pitmans LLP
Insolvency Update: Changes that take effect from April 2016

The Department of Justice has issued a practice direction in connection with the new insolvency express trials pilot.

- Pitmans LLP
The Apprenticeship Levy

Following last year’s autumn statement, HMRC has now published draft legislation which introduces the proposed new apprenticeship levy. The levy will have effect from 6 April 2017.

- Pitmans LLP

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