Hudgell Solicitors’ growing reputation as a firm committed to doing the best by both clients and employees was the reason behind another highly experienced serious injury lawyer making the decision to join.
Mark Ellis, who qualified as a solicitor in 2002, has joined having worked as an associate in the serious injury department at Minster Law for the past five years.
Mark says the Hudgells’ move to become employee-owned last December, and its work with charities such as Day One Trauma Support, for which it is now a panel member to provide legal advice and support to people at Greater Manchester Major Trauma Hospital, influenced his decision to join.
The prospect of being able to be part of the team supporting the victims of the Post Office Horizon scandal and the Manchester Arena Attack in 2017 also influenced his decision to join. He said:
The work the firm has been doing in recent times, and how it has represented its clients has helped it rise to prominence in the legal sector.
I also know quite a few people who I’ve worked with previously in my career who are now at Hudgells and they all speak so highly about the culture at the firm, and how rewarding the work is because it is so client-focussed.
I think becoming employee owned sent out a strong message across the industry about just how much stock the firm puts into its people, and how they are involved in its work and development. I think that sets it apart.
Equally I think it’s exciting to see how the firm is supporting more seriously injured people through its work and campaigning for the likes of Day One Trauma Support and the Spinal Injuries Association (SIA), organisations I am looking forward to working with, as we can offer great help to people together.
‘Entwined in the lives of clients’
Hudgells supports a large number of people who have suffered serious injury, including survivors of the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing, having helped establish packages of rehabilitation support and much-needed financial assistance whilst a Public Inquiry was held.
That work stands out for Mark, along with another high-profile case such as the ongoing support being offered to hundreds of former subpostmasters. He said:
I think the work that the firm has done for the Manchester Arena survivors and the victims of the Post Office Horizon scandal has been really impressive, as like all serious injury claims, they have become entwined in the lives of their clients.
In this job you may close the laptop down at the end of the working day, but your clients are always with you. You are still thinking about the people you are helping and their cases are can often still be on your mind.
I find the work stimulating and rewarding. People turn to us at what is usually the lowest point of their lives and we can use our expertise to make a really positive difference for them.
There’s nothing better than securing a good result for a client and knowing it has set them up for the next stage of their lives. To be able to see what you have achieved for people is really special.
I’ve always wanted to use my legal expertise to help people. I am proud to be a personal injury solicitor and our clients – the people who have suffered life-changing injuries – really appreciate what we do.
They need somebody on their side to help them through the process. I try speak to them in plain English rather than in legal jargon, and in a way I’d like someone to speak to me if I wasn’t a lawyer and had been injured. That’s what people want, and I know that is the Hudgells way.
Rachel Di Clemente, chief executive of Hudgell Solicitors, says she is delighted with the appointment.
I worked with Mark during my time at Minster Law and I have the upmost respect for him, so I know we are getting a highly-talented solicitor who makes client care, and getting the very best results for those clients, his number one priority,” she said.
He brings experience of managing high-value catastrophic injury cases, including challenging motorcycle accident claims, and experience of managing teams of solicitors.
As our work in representing people who suffer serious injuries continues to grow, I have no doubt that he will be a very important member of our team.