Twenty legal specialists from across Hudgell Solicitors’ teams have been recognised for their industry-leading work in a highly respected legal guide.
It is the largest representation of lawyers Hudgells has ever secured in the leading Legal 500 guide, with experts from every department of the business included.
Chief executive Rachel Di Clemente says the rankings, announced today, reflect how the firm has developed its ‘strength and industry-leading expertise in all areas’.
Once again Hudgells is hailed for its national work in Civil Liberties and Human Rights, and Travel cases relating to injuries suffered abroad.
Personal Injury and Clinical Negligence cases across Yorkshire and the Humber, led by teams based at its Hull headquarters, and across the North West from the firm’s office in Manchester, are also included.
In the wake of representing clients at several high-profile public inquiries, including the Post Office Horizon IT Inquiry, the Manchester Arena Inquiry and the Covid-19 Inquiry, the firm’s work in ‘challenging the failings of state bodies and institutions, undertaking judicial review claims, and representing bereaved families in inquests’, has won praise.
The guide highlights executive chairman Neil Hudgell for regularly handling inquiries and inquests ‘of national significance’, and head of civil liberties Vicky Richardson, who it says ‘excels in cases involving police assault, unlawful arrest, and breaches of data protection laws.’
Successful high-value and complex clinical negligence cases
Hudgells’ clinical negligence departments are described as having ‘a track record in successful high-value and complex cases involving birth injuries, brain injuries, and amputations, as well as more niche areas such as sepsis and medication errors.’
Winning particular praise is the Yorkshire and Humber clinical negligence team, which has moved up a position in the firm rankings to Tier 2.
The guide picks out the leadership of joint national heads Chris Moore and Vince Shore, with Mr Moore recognised again for his expertise in leading cases involving catastrophic injuries, particularly those suffered at birth, and Mr Shore for his ‘vast experience’ in cases related to negligent management of pregnancy and birth, including hypoxic brain damage, cerebral palsy and cognitive deficit issues.
Helena Wood, Elizabeth Maliakal and Michelle Tebbutt are also named as ‘key lawyers’.
Manchester head of clinical negligence Maria Repanos is included in recognition of ‘her broad experience in cases concerning delayed cancer diagnoses, surgical negligence, and wrongful birth’, with colleague Matthew Gascoyne’s ‘deep knowledge of fatal claims and acquired brain injury cases’ securing his inclusion in the guide.
Caroline Murgatroyd is included for her work on cases relating to delayed diagnoses of HIV infections and inquests into fatalities caused by drug errors referenced.
Serious injury teams have ‘strong expertise in catastrophic injury claims’
Hudgells’ serious injury teams in both Yorkshire and the Humber and the North West are included, with the guide referencing work supporting more than 170 survivors of the Manchester Arena bombing, and the team’s ‘strong expertise in catastrophic injury claims’.
Manager of serious injury in Hull, Samuel McFadyen, is included for his work ‘handling severe injury cases, especially those involving brain and spinal injuries’, whist head of travel litigation Paul McClorry is described as being ‘universally respected within the sector’.
Sarah Kidd’s work on public liability and road traffic accident claims secures her place in the guide also, alongside Jane Woodcock.
Other lawyers referenced include Terry Wilcox for his management of the firm’s Public Inquiries team and Leanne Windass for her work in leading actions against the police.
Personal Injury specialist Kerry Gillespie is included for her leadership of amputation and spinal cord injury cases, with Tracy Stansfield and Anne Thomson named as ‘key lawyers’ for their support of people injured abroad.
Mrs Di Clemente, who is also included in the guide for her work supporting people who have suffered ‘catastrophic physical and psychological injuries’, said:
This is a really pleasing reflection of our work and in recognition of the industry-leading expertise we have developed across all areas of the firm.
We are grateful for the support of our legal partners and clients who have supported this recognition, and we are of course delighted to have our highest-ever number of lawyers included this year; it is fantastic recognition of their hard work, expertise, and their commitment to doing their very best for our clients.
