Lanyon Bowdler

lblaw.co.uk

Partner specialising in all areas of private client work, particularly drafting wills and inheritance tax planning. Also deals with estate administrations (many involving significant agricultural property), trusts (some involving landed estates) and prepares powers of attorney.

Managing partner and head of agriculture. Experienced litigator used to dealing with many types of commercial disputes, including shareholder and partnership duties, agricultural disputes, contractual disputes and insolvency matters. Other sectors worked in include manufacturing, construction, health and social care and leisure. Brian is a CEDR accredited mediator. Although his mediation practice encompasses a variety of commercial sectors and general civil litigation he has a particular interest in mediating disputes in the agricultural sector.

Karen has over 28 years’ experience in personal injury litigation at Lanyon Bowdler acting mainly for the claimant although she has been instructed by defendant companies for bespoke work. In 2021 she completed her Legal Executive (FCILEx) examinations alongside working and received recognition whilst doing so by being promoted to Associate. She is a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers where she is recognised as a Litigator. In 2023, following the new Fast-Track Team being established, and in recognition of her skills and vast experience, her caseload changed to become almost exclusively high value multi-track work. She therefore now concentrates on working on complex, heavyweight cases, including brain and serious orthopaedic injuries and fatal claims. Karen is particularly skilled in maximising quantum on cases which have impacted upon clients more seriously than first envisioned. Karen has worked closely with case managers and worked on a case which was extremely complex, managing a young man with severe traumatic head brain injury and health and wellbeing concerns alongside the needs of significant family members where there was a strained family dynamic which required careful, coordinated management from both the case management and litigation perspectives in order to proceed in the clients’ best interests. Karen’s caseload currently includes complex cross-border and international law claims, developing her palate and skills for navigating differing legal, medical, and financial systems. She is minded toward communication and fair but generous settlement, with a forthcoming Joint Settlement Meeting with an estimated value upwards of £7.5 million for a brain injury motorcyclist. Karen also continues to work alongside Debbie Humphries on her high value serious injury cases, including brain injury. Karen is Secretary to the firm’s Charity Committee, with a focus on fundraising for local, staff-selected charities. She also recently ran a Dark Run to raise money for Hope House. Karen is extremely popular with clients due to her detailed, compassionate and down-to-earth approach. Recent client feedback stated, “I would like to express my sincere thanks to Karen Clarke who took on this case. She has worked with dedication and efficiency throughout the last 2 years, giving advice and recommendations to enable this claim to be finalised very satisfactorily. Communication has been clear and precise throughout.” She has been described by Counsel as a “fearsome litigator who charms her clients”. She is well respected by the case managers who she works closely with which has led to client referrals. She has been recommended by defendant insurers to their family members when they have required assistance with a personal injury claim.

Partner and head of the Family Department. Sue has experience in all types of family cases including divorce, linked financial matters and disputes regarding children. She has experience in high conflict Children Act matters including matters involving jurisdictional issues and change of primary care base. Sue has a good manner with clients providing clear and concise advice and is an experienced advocate.

John is senior partner at Lanyon Bowdler and head of the Employment Department. He acts for employers of all sizes from small businesses to large national and international concerns, including in relation to business transfers, the preparation of contracts of employment, effecting dismissals and conducting in-house training. John advises both employers and employees in connection with employment tribunal proceedings and appeals and is an experienced advocate.

Karen has over 28 years’ experience in personal injury litigation at Lanyon Bowdler acting mainly for the claimant although she has been instructed by defendant companies for bespoke work. In 2021 she completed her Legal Executive (FCILEx) examinations alongside working and received recognition whilst doing so by being promoted to Associate. She is a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers where she is recognised as a Litigator. In 2023, following the new Fast-Track Team being established, and in recognition of her skills and vast experience, her caseload changed to become almost exclusively high value multi-track work. She therefore now concentrates on working on complex, heavyweight cases, including brain and serious orthopaedic injuries and fatal claims. Karen is particularly skilled in maximising quantum on cases which have impacted upon clients more seriously than first envisioned. Karen has worked closely with case managers and worked on a case which was extremely complex, managing a young man with severe traumatic head brain injury and health and wellbeing concerns alongside the needs of significant family members where there was a strained family dynamic which required careful, coordinated management from both the case management and litigation perspectives in order to proceed in the clients’ best interests. Karen’s caseload currently includes complex cross-border and international law claims, developing her palate and skills for navigating differing legal, medical, and financial systems. She is minded toward communication and fair but generous settlement, with a forthcoming Joint Settlement Meeting with an estimated value upwards of £7.5 million for a brain injury motorcyclist. Karen also continues to work alongside Debbie Humphries on her high value serious injury cases, including brain injury. Karen is Secretary to the firm’s Charity Committee, with a focus on fundraising for local, staff-selected charities. She also recently ran a Dark Run to raise money for Hope House. Karen is extremely popular with clients due to her detailed, compassionate and down-to-earth approach. Recent client feedback stated, “I would like to express my sincere thanks to Karen Clarke who took on this case. She has worked with dedication and efficiency throughout the last 2 years, giving advice and recommendations to enable this claim to be finalised very satisfactorily. Communication has been clear and precise throughout.” She has been described by Counsel as a “fearsome litigator who charms her clients”. She is well respected by the case managers who she works closely with which has led to client referrals. She has been recommended by defendant insurers to their family members when they have required assistance with a personal injury claim.

Debbie Humphries

A partner at the firm. Debbie has experience in all types of personal injury claims. She represents clients who have sustained life changing injuries in a wide variety of circumstances including road traffic accidents, accidents at work and accidents where they are visitors. She has also represented a number of families where accidents have tragically resulted in the loss of a child or partner as a result of someone else’s negligence. Debbie has also assisted claimants whose complex medical backgrounds prior to their accident has required understanding and sensitivity to ensure a successful conclusion. Debbie’s role is to secure compensation and support that will provide clients with whatever they need for the rest of their lives. Debbie is focused on engaging high quality rehabilitation to ensure clients achieve the best recovery with the right professionals. She has established care packages with case management input, occupational therapy, speech therapy and psychology input securing substantial interim payments to fund these when needed and ensuring that her clients have the opportunity to achieve their best outcome and get to live their best lives. Debbie is recognised as a Senior Litigator with the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers.