Biography
I joined Irwin Mitchell in 2000 and became a Partner in the Serious Injury team in Birmingham in 2011.
In 2021 I was appointed Lead Partner for the Complex PI teams in Birmingham.
I lead a team of seven lawyers and our specialisms include:
- Brain injury
- Polytrauma (multiple serious injuries)
- Severe burns
- Complex fatal accident work such as police liaison work and coronial law.
We routinely secure settlements for more than £1 million – including an Irwin Mitchell record for the Serious Injury team of £22.7 million. We have an immediate focus from the day of instruction on our client’s rehabilitation needs and routinely refer to our superb Support and Rehabilitation team to make sure our clients and families are supported before we're able to secure interim payments.
For road traffic accidents, including fatal accidents, our specialist investigation team works with the police to analyse the accident for our clients. Member of the team are themselves ex-police and draw on their police experience to support our clients' claim.
We're extremely proud to be able to work with some truly inspirational clients and to provide the “expert hand, human touch” that they and their families need during their long rehabilitation process.
I'm a brain injury, fatal accident and senior litigator accredited member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL). My team devised and designed the APIL Fatal Accidents Accreditation and I deliver annual training for APIL across the country.
I'm passionate about ensuring that my clients receive comprehensive and realistic advice and that consideration is given in every case to alternative dispute resolution.
What inspired you to get into law?
The fact that there's always an answer to a legal problem and deciding what it is and using precedent to be innovative and shape new law is extremely rewarding. I'm lucky enough to work at a firm where this is part of the DNA.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your role?
Seeing our clients succeed. They are truly inspirational and being able to be part of their rehabilitation and recovery from life changing injury or loss is an honour.
What do you like about working at Irwin Mitchell?
The people. The strength and breadth of legal expertise under one 'roof' is phenomenal. Being able to access further specialist advice for clients is something to be very proud of.
What do you do away from the office?
I live in rural Worcestershire and spend my spare time on long walks with my Labrador, Molly. I also enjoy gardening and attempting to restore a very old farmhouse and nine acre orchard.
Testimonials
"Unrivalled expertise in serious injury claimant work. Led by the remarkable Hilary Wetherell, the team is close knit and committed to achieving the best outcomes for their clients. Terrific firm to work for. Hilary Wetherell is an inspirational leader and brilliant leader." - Legal 500, 2023
"Hilary Wetherell is tactically sound and experienced. She commands respect and clients love her... She is very warm and empathetic with clients and knows the rehabilitation arena very well." - Chambers & Partners, 2022 (Leading Individual - band 1)
Hilary Weatherill is a 'Leading Individual' - Legal 500, 2022
"Her client skills are top-rate." – Chambers & Partners, 2021 (Leading Individual - Band 1)
Hilary Weatherill is "very experienced." – Legal 500, 2021 (Leading Individual)
"She's attentive, organised and a very comprehensive thinker." – Chambers & Partners, 2020
"She's always got time for your issue no matter how busy she is." - Chambers & Partners, 2019
"Exceptional in every way"; "Everything she does is about the client and she really knows how to shape a case." - Chambers & Partners 2017
Client Testimonials
"Faultless - It may have taken 3 years but every minute of those 3 years I had upmost faith in the team at Irwin Mitchell securing a more than satisfactory result for me. No one can or ever will convince me otherwise. I thank them all at Irwin Mitchell from day one." - 5* Trustpilot review
"Following my work accident, I was recommended by a friend of mine to call Irwin Mitchell. Few days later I called I had a conversation with a receptionist, took my details, and hour later I had a phone from Hilary Wetherell. we met a her office, and we had a long conversation, just before I left the office Hilary Wetherell, said to just take care of your recovery, and me I do the rest. I felt safe and a good hand. A big thank you to Hilary Wetherell and her team. Farid." - 5* Trustpilot review
"I would highly recommend Irwin Mitchell Solicitors who dealt with my accident claim. In particular Hilary Wetherell and her team, who provided excellent advice and care throughout the four and a half year process.
Hilary and her team guided me through the whole case and were able to provide invaluable support and reassurance. I appreciate that Hilary was caring and sympathetic, without which the whole case would have been problematic. Without the support from Irwin Mitchell, I believe that the outcome of my case would have been very different.
We just want to thank you again for everything." - NS, Client
“Hilary Wetherell showed great spirit, awareness and understanding to assist with my problems, both medical and legal. Being the superb solicitor that she is, all questions asked were responded to satisfactorily, speedily and at best, reassuringly.” Stuart, client
