Irwin Mitchell has one of the country’s leading personal injury and clinical negligence groups, and is known for its ‘in-depth knowledge, dedication to client care, and sure-footed strategic vision’. Regional managing partner Neil Whiteley oversees the practice. Head of clinical negligence Guy Forster is ‘a force to be reckoned with’. ‘Determined, empathetic’ head of the catastrophic injury group Ruth Booy, Rosemary Giles (who leads ‘one of the country’s leading industrial disease outfits’), and ‘don of military PI claims’ Simon Harrington are among the standout practitioners. Senior associates Samantha Pitts, the ‘kind, caring ’ Sarah Wealleans, and the ‘tenacious’ Gurpreet Lalli, and associates Sophie Bales and Alexander Davenport exemplify the outstanding bench of up-and-coming talent.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘I rate very highly Sarah Wealleans. She is sympathetic with clients and tough with opponents. She has first class client care skills and many of her clients are clearly devoted to her. She is patient with demanding clients but importantly does not shy away from doing or saying difficult things. Being caring and honest also helps her retain the confidence of her clients.’
‘Irwin Mitchell is clearly a market leader in the catastrophic injury field and have been for some considerable time. Their key strengths are high quality fee earners who have considerable experience in the field and a well trodden path of achieving excellent results.’
‘A top notch firm. Excellent client engagement. Full commitment to any case. In depth knowledge of law and appropriate tactics. A formidable force. Always a pleasure to be instructed by. ’
‘Simon Harrington and his team at Irwin Mitchell stand out due to their exceptional expertise, dedication to client satisfaction, and commitment to achieving favorable outcomes. Potential clients would be interested to know about the team's strengths, such as their extensive experience in various legal areas personal injury. Additionally, clients would value their personalized approach, transparent communication, and ability to tailor solutions to meet individual needs.'
- 'Overall, Irwin Mitchell offers a unique combination of expertise, client-centered approach, and innovative solutions that make them a top choice for individuals and businesses seeking legal assistance.’
‘Gurpreet Lalli, kind, patient and understanding. Extremely hard working to get the best not only for me but all her clients.'
‘For me it's the level of understanding and the communication. From the day that I met my solicitor Gurpreet Lalli I have always felt that she had an outstanding knowledge of cauda Equina and truly empathised with my situation. This made some difficult conversations much easier.’
‘Integrity, excellent communication skills and compassion were shown by Neil Whiteley and his team for which I am very grateful.’
‘Sarah Wealleans is fantastic, very knowledgeable and a great contact who has been a part of our lives for a long time now.’
‘Guy Forster, partner - an absolute jewel and industry heavyweight. Amie Minns - a thoughtful and energetic lawyer, always fighting for the client. Gurpreet Lalli - conscientious and loved by her clients Sarah Wealleans - combines common sense with razor sharp knowledge Sophie Bales - a really sharp legal brain.’
Work highlights
- Represented a claimant in a complex high-value mesothelioma action and recovered substantial damages (in excess of £1.5m). Exposure occurred in unusual circumstances as the client did not work directly with the hazardous substance and the matter was strongly contested.
- Took over a complex catastrophic injury case where previous solicitors had obtained no specialist support or funding for the client.
- Secured a 7-figure settlement for a client with delayed diagnosis of testicular cancer despite no admissions as to liability being made by the health trust.
Lawyers
Hall of fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Neil Whiteley; Guy Forster
Other key lawyers
Ruth Booy; Simon Harrington; Rosemary Giles; Sophie Bales; Gurpreet Lalli; Sarah Wealleans; Alexandra Davenport; Samantha Pitts; Massimo D'Angelo; Deimante Zelenkauske; Sean Atwood; Amie Minns