Andrew Burnette > Burges Salmon LLP > Bristol, England > Lawyer Profile

Hailed as ‘a leading player in the professional negligence field’, Burges Salmon LLP‘s predominantly claimant-side practice possesses particular strength in lender-side and pensions professional negligence claims. The group, led by Andrew Burnette, is also known for its expertise pertaining to private wealth claims. Pensions-related disputes are handled by Justin Briggs and Suzanne Padmore, with the latter frequently acting on behalf of trustees and employers in claims against pension scheme advisers. Senior associate Kelly Whittaker acts for businesses and financial institutions in multi-party professional negligence disputes.

The ‘competent, diligent and dedicated’ team at Burges Salmon LLP provides ‘a standout offering of magic circle quality’ to its roster of high-profile clients, including multinational corporations, entrepreneurial businesses and high-net-worth individuals. David Hall, who has experience in financial services litigation, jointly leads the practice alongside Ann Metherall, while Andrew Burnette handles contractual disputes and professional negligence claims. Other key contacts in the group include transport and procurement specialist Chris Jackson, solicitor advocate Ian Tucker, Michael Ward, who focuses on shareholder disputes, and Brian Wong, who advises on procurement cases and was promoted to partner in May 2022. Matthew Walker has ‘excellent judgment’ and director Caroline Brown is commended as ‘responsive and knowledgeable’. Sian Edmunds left for an in-house role in January 2023.

Burges Salmon LLP is instructed on product liability matters from a range of industries including manufacturing, commerce, food and drink. The firm is particularly well-versed in issues relating to medical products, tobacco products and toys. The team is headed by Andrew Burnette who is best known for his claimant professional negligence work while Brian Wong is knowledgeable in the general product safety framework.

The ‘quality of a London firm but at regional prices‘, Burges Salmon LLP‘s Bristol-based practice fields experts in disputes involving commercial contracts, reputation management, professional negligence, product liability, multi-jurisdictional scenarios, ADR, and arbitration. The group also acts in business crime and real estate disputes. David Hall handles mega-value cases;  Ann Metherall focuses on the transport and energy sectors; Andrew Burnette ‘has an excellent market reputation‘; Chris Jackson and Ian Tucker are transport and procurement specialists; Michael Ward ‘provides great client service‘; and Richard Binns is a commercial disputes expert. Former partner Sian Edmunds departed for Cargill in January 2023.

Burges Salmon LLP‘s banking litigation practice consists of ‘very capable litigators‘, acting for clients across the full spectrum of disputes related to financial institutions, including derivatives, securitisations, and acquisition finance. Mis-selling cases, and providing advice to financial service providers who are under investigation by the FCA are also strengths of the unit. Team leader Andrew Burnette has a practice focusing on company and shareholder litigation, with in-depth knowledge of the banking sector. Further key contacts include David Hall and Matthew Walker.

The ‘very experienced’ Burges Salmon LLP professional negligence team primarily focuses on claimant-side disputes. The firm is one of the leading practices in pensions professional negligence work. The practice is headed by Andrew Burnette, a specialist in significant claims against solicitors, surveyors, auditors, and financial services professionals. Other key names include Justin Briggs, Suzanne Padmore, and Kelly Whittaker, who are described as ‘excellent both in terms of their knowledge and experience, and their responsiveness both to counsel and the clients.’