Charles Crowne > Osborne Clarke LLP > Bristol, England > Lawyer Profile

Osborne Clarke LLP provides ‘a City of London service from Bristol’ thanks to a ‘commercial, approachable, friendly and results-focused’ team led by real estate litigator Leona Briggs. The practice is particularly singled out in the region for its expertise in cross-border claims and data protection litigation, and has extensive knowledge of the technology, media, telecoms, energy and financial service sectors; in the latter, the firm recently represented Wirecard Card Solutions in claims arising from a €3bn accounting fraud by its parent company. Clare Robinson is a key contact for clients in the technology and business sectors, Peter Clough is an expert in claims involving Russia, India and the wider Asia region; and Tom Ellis has experience in investigations and fraud work. Other noteworthy practitioners include technology sector specialist Charlie Wedin, financial services expert Charles Crowne and associate Becky Crawford.

Osborne Clarke LLP‘s fraud practice represents clients in commercial disputes involving allegations of fraud, handling cases involving sectors including real estate, financial services and energy. The practice’s recent work including acting on cases before the High Court and Commercial Court, and it is regularly engaged on cross-jurisdictional cases. Tom Ellis leads the team and works across the firm’s London and Bristol offices. Peter Clough and Charles Crowne are also key names to note in Bristol, with significant experience in commercial litigation.

Osborne Clarke LLP draws on its expertise in pensions and construction law to handle professional negligence litigation involving these sectors. The practice predominantly represents claimants, such as developers and pension plan trustees, but also offers defence-side expertise in this space. Claims involving solicitors are another area of focus for the team, with Clare Robinson leading on this work. Charles Crowne and director Katherine King handle claims in the pension space, frequently working alongside pensions specialist Paul Matthews. The practice has a sizeable construction disputes team, with Rob Horne and associate director Rob Adjetey particularly prominent in this area. Tom Ellis leads the overall practice from London.

In 2022, Osborne Clarke LLP brought over the pensions team from BDB Pitmans, welcoming pensions disputes lawyers including Chris Netiatis, who is based in the firm’s Reading office. The group represents employers, trustees, members and pensions advisers on the gamut of contentious issues, with a particular strength in professional negligence, rectification and construction applications. The group is led from Bristol by Jonathan Hazlett, who is experienced in internal dispute resolution procedures and references to the pensions ombudsman. Charles Crowne has an active professional negligence practice; and specialist pensions litigator, associate director Katherine King is noted for handling rectification claims and professional negligence actions.