Profile
Work Department
Position
Partner
Career
I joined Irwin Mitchell as a trainee solicitor in 1997 and qualified in 1999. I spent nine years developing my expertise in the field of personal injury litigation at the firm's Leeds office, and was appointed Associate in 2004.
In 2008, I moved to Manchester to help develop our new office there, and this is where I remain, practising exclusively in the field of Claimant catastrophic injury litigation (typically claims involving head and spinal injury, complex orthopaedic injuries & amputation).
Formerly Secretary of the Wakefield branch of Headway, I now sit on the Management committee of Headway Salford and I am a member of the Law Society Personal Injury Panel. I am an APIL accredited Senior Litigator.
I was made a Partner in the practice in May 2010.
Memberships
Education
Danum Comprehensive, Doncaster; Durham University (1996 Law 2(1)); York College of Law (1997).
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
'The cases they handle are often complex legally, emotionally and psychologically, and yet the team presents them with clarity, clinical awareness, and sensitivity to the broader human context. They are among the most thoughtful and well-organised teams in this area.’
‘Carol Purang leads the military team with clarity, intelligence, and great empathy. Her instructions are exemplary—structured, sensitive, and well-informed. She has an exceptional ability to handle complex trauma-related cases involving long-term psychiatric consequences, and her communication with experts is consistently courteous, thoughtful, and precise.’
‘Geraldine Coombs is very professional and committed to getting the right result for your claim.’
‘Helen Tomlin is a very experienced asbestos injury claim litigator who is well-versed in the legal principles and has excellent client-care skills, which are vital in an area of law which involves terminal and fatal injuries.'
‘Geraldine Coombs has excellent knowledge of the sector and Helen Tomlin is a a real expert in this field.'
‘Matthew Brown is shrewd and intelligent, and able to navigate through a challenging landscape. He is a skilful communicator who ensures that clients and their families have the information which they require to make informed decisions at the right time. Harriet Trail is responsive and dynamic - she anticipates a situation before it arises and is prepared, and in doing so she smooths the process for clients and colleagues.’
‘Steve Hill shows total commitment to his clients and consistently develops a wonderful rapport with them. He efficiently moves cases forward with the minimum fuss and secures fantastic outcomes. Richard Biggs is very empathetic and gains the trust of his clients which is enormously reassuring during the stressful process of litigation.'
‘Jonathan Betts is an engaging individual who runs an extremely successful team. Matthew Garson has an impressive eye for detail. Hannah Pearson and Harriet Trail are valuable members of the team in Manchester. They both have real empathy for their clients and work very effectively to achieve the best outcomes for them.'
'Irwin Mitchell are a very progressive company looking to maximise outcomes for their clients in a responsible and ethical manner.'
'All the partners at Irwin Mitchell I have been involved with have been engaging, pro-active and seeking the best outcomes for their clients.'