Law Firm Retains Top Spot in Midlands Community
Birmingham office number one for Clinical Negligence
Irwin Mitchell’s Birmingham office has consolidated its position at the very top of the Midlands Law community following its year as Lawyer Magazine’s ‘National Law Firm of the Year,’ by an excellent set of results being rated number one for Clinical Negligence and Personal Injury by independent publication, the Legal 500, published this month.
The firm’s Birmingham office also took the number one spot for Family law. The practice, which has a national and sometimes international client focus, is led by Kevin Harris-James, whom the guide describes as ‘fair but tough.’
Irwin Mitchell, the largest Personal Injury practice in the UK, boasts high profile cases throughout their area’s of expertise.
The Clinical Negligence department in the West Midlands has an ‘innovative’ three-partner team. Practice head, Lisa Jordan, has expertise in cerebral palsy claims and the team is experienced in wrongful birth and catastrophic injury claims. Jonathan Peacock and Sara Burns are recommended by the guide, who quotes a client as commenting: "They could explain things at my level and really took the weight off my shoulders."
Similarly the Personal Injury team remains top tier for claimant work with the ‘excellent’ Stuart Henderson providing the lead. The practice comprises a range of specialist sub-groups covering areas such as workplace accidents, fatal claims and international travel. 2007 saw Katherine Allen, a specialist in accidents occurring abroad, promoted to partner, while Alida Coates heads the workplace illness group.
Transport, a new category created by Legal 500 year, sees Irwin Mitchell take the number one spot, with the firm’s international travel litigation group, headed by Clive Garner, specialising in advising on international coach crashes, flight accidents and shipping matters. In 2007, the firm received instructions from injured passengers as well as relatives killed in the high profile Phuket air crash.
In Employment, the firm retains its ranking with Fergal Dowling and his team making some excellent panel appointments during 2007. In addition to acting for a number of high net work individuals, the team has advised both Tuntum Housing Association and Magna Group plc.
Irwin Mitchell’s national practice head for health and safety is Birmingham-based David Egan. The department also retains its ranking with recent work including instructions from the energy sector.
Stuart Henderson, Managing Partner of the firm’s Birmingham office, said: "We are delighted that the expertise of our growing Birmingham office is recognised in this prestigious guide with a series of number 1 positions. It is a reflection of our commitment to be at the ‘cutting edge’ of key areas of the law and exceed our client’s expectations."
Irwin Mitchell has represented clients in a number of high profile actions including that of 9 year old Owen Johnson from Dudley who has cerebral palsy following mistakes at birth. Owen’s case settled in June this year for more than £8 million and is believed to be one of the largest settlements of its kind in the region.