Next Generation Partners

Rising Stars

Personal injury and clinical negligence: defendant in East Anglia

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP

The Ipswich office of Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP plays a key role in the firm’s national corporate claims practice, which acts directly for clients rather than through insurer panels. The practice is led by senior partner Nicola Lashmar, who focuses on crisis management and the resolution of high-value and sensitive injury claims; she has an impressive roster of clients, among them Johnson Controls, the Civil Aviation Authority, Thames Water and GSK. Lashmar recently defended Norfolk County Council against a claim brought by the wife of a deceased motorcyclist, who blamed a negligently resurfaced road for the accident. Louise Bland, legal director Paul Coppin, and principal associate Wayne Donovan also play pivotal roles in the practice.

Practice head(s):

Nicola Lashmar


Other key lawyers:

Louise Bland; Paul Coppin; Wayne Donovan


Testimonials

‘Delivering cost-efficient resolution of disputes.’

‘Louise Bland is highly competent and prepares clear and detailed instructions.’

‘Louise Bland is very focused on the needs of her professional clients, tactically astute to protect her clients interests and a clear communicator.’

‘Proactive, Knowledgeable and approachable. Advice is clear and concise.’

‘The team is very knowledgeable on a wide area of topics. Anything that is new or not certain is researched thoroughly to provide the correct advice.’

‘They are hugely experienced and knowledgeable, proactive, pragmatic and excel at thinking outside the box.’

‘Nicola Lashmar is an outstanding legal practitioner whose empathy, intelligence and tenacity represents a unique standard of excellence in itself.’

‘Louise Bland is highly approachable and an extremely safe pair of hands. She is extremely knowledgeable in the law and has strong strategic capabilities, ensuring that the defence of claims are handled in a positive and proactive manner.’

Key clients

Johnson Controls International


Civil Aviation Authority


Thames Water Utilities Limited


UK Research & Innovation


Norfolk County Council


Gov Facility Services Limited


Resolute Management Limited


LV


National Grid Electricity Distribution plc


Buzz Group


GSK


Lyondellbasell


Work highlights


  • Acted for a national leisure sector client when a customer was left tetraplegic after taking part in activities at the client’s centre. The claimant in his 20’s required lifelong care. The accident had potential to cause huge damage to the client’s brand if not sensitively handled.
  • Advised a global energy client in a claim where the claimant suffered life changing injuries to lower limbs following an accident on ship. The accident led to a health and safety prosecution with the potential for reputational damage.

Kennedys

Kennedys is a specialist clinical negligence defence firm that acts as a key adviser to NHS Resolution, as well as many individual NHS Trusts. The firm’s Cambridge office is home to a deep bench of talent, including the ‘extremely impressive‘ practice head Robert Tobin, who is ‘clever, thoughtful and gives very good advice‘. Amanda Mead is a nominated partner for NHS Resolution, and Camilla Long is ‘very experienced and has excellent judgment‘. Senior associates Margaret DuncanSamantha Williams, the ‘superb, calm, organised,‘ Samantha Goward and Laura Ringrose, who ‘knows which cases to fight and which to settle‘ are also key practitioners.

Practice head(s):

Robert Tobin


Other key lawyers:

Amanda Mead; Camilla Long; Margaret Duncan; Samantha Williams; Samantha Goward; Laura Ringrose


Testimonials

‘Kennedys Cambridge are a solid, reliable, efficient group of clinical negligence practitioners. They have good working relationships with client trusts and an excellent list of experts.’

‘What makes individuals stand out will always be their grasp of the detail of cases, not just using counsel as a post box, and effectiveness in engaging experts and factual witnesses.’

‘Good judgment and efficient management.’

Mills & Reeve LLP

The Norwich office of Mills & Reeve LLP has a strong medical malpractice group that works with colleagues in Manchester and Birmingham as a key part of the firm’s national full-service health sector offering. Focused purely on clinical negligence indemnity coverage and defence, the team acts for a broad range of healthcare providers in complex and high-value claims. Health and insurance partner Stephen King leads the practice, in which senior associate Matthew Wilson is a key adviser to insurers and their insured on coverage issues, and defending claims against plastic and orthopaedic surgeons.

Practice head(s):

Stephen King


Other key lawyers:

Matthew Wilson