Andrew Litchfield > Gowling WLG > Birmingham, England > Lawyer Profile

Gowling WLG has a thriving and ‘active’ practice that is ably led by Andrew Litchfield. Litchfield has long-standing experience of advising on regulatory criminal offences, statutory public inquiries and inquests. He frequently advises on investigations that are conducted by the police, Health and Safety Executive, Environment Agency, local authority as well as by the Coroner. The team is immersed in key sectors such as construction, building, quarrying, aerospace and defence and is repeatedly instructed on highly complex matters. Another key member of the talented team is principal associate Michael Hafen – Hafen specialises in the defence of civil/criminal litigation arising from various regulatory breaches.

Gowling WLG‘s commercial litigation capabilities extend across the firm’s offices in Birmingham and London, with the two working closely together to service clients in commercial disputes. Sector expertise of the team lies in automotive, aerospace, government, life sciences, retail, energy, tech, and litigation finance, with the core group working closely with other sector teams to deliver a cohesive approach. Andrew Litchfield is the head of the group, with Andrew Smith, Patrick Arben, and Helen Davenport all key figures in the team.

Andrew Litchfield, described as ‘incredibly knowledgeable and great on strategy’ works from the firm’s Birmingham and London offices and leads the London regulatory crime team at Gowling WLG. The group’s client list notably includes Bloor Homes Ltd and Eurotunnel. The team freqently advises defends its clients at Inquests involving on-site deaths or serious injuries, and also advised on the remit of health and safety regulations during the Covid-19 pandemic. Further, the group has experience handling sensitive matters involving vulnerable individuals.

Gowling WLG‘s ‘highly capable, committed and resourceful team‘ has notable sector expertise in a number of key sectors, including automotive, government, food and beverage, energy, and financial services. Senior litigation partner James Sidwell ‘has excellent judgement‘; Catherine Naylor is a specialist in multi-jurisdictional matters; and the varied caseload of Andrew Smith, who is ‘probably the best all-round litigator around‘, covers contract terminations, economic torts, legal professional privilege, misfeasance, and guarantees/indemnities. At non-partner level, Verity Barker is ‘unfailingly thoughtful and completely unflappable‘, while principal associate Tom Cox represents corporate and private clients in commercial disputes. Andrew Litchfield heads up the department from the firm’s Birmingham office.