Switalskis Solicitors

Child Abuse Compensation

Director & Solicitor

A director in Switalskis child abuse department, Amy represents victims of child abuse to achieve justice. Her specialism is child sexual exploitation and grooming.

Amy heads a team of lawyers dealing with the high-profile Rotherham grooming scandal. This work is highly specialised and complex. Clients can be incredibly demanding on account of the horrific abuse they suffered during their childhood. The team’s work brought the failings of the Local Authority and South Yorkshire Police into the national spotlight.

Switalskis won the Dispute Resolution award in the Yorkshire Legal Awards for this work and has been interviewed by various media on her work.

As a result of this work Amy now represents victims of child sexual exploitation throughout the country, including thoughout West Yorkshire.

Amy also leads on Switalskis' work in relation to the Lambeth Children’s Home Redress Scheme and has a strong knowledge of abuse throughout the South London area. Switalskis represented approximately 25% of applicants to the redress scheme, having acted for over 600 survivors of abuse in Lambeth.

In the summer of 2020, Amy led on representing 28 survivors of abuse at the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA). Switalskis represented a high number of Core Participants due to the volume of applicants Switalskis represent under the Lambeth Children’s Home Redress Scheme.

Amy is the firm’s Training Principal and supports Switalskis cohort of Graduate Solicitor Apprentices.  As part of this role, she organises in-house training for junior members of the firm.

Outside of work Amy is currently a Council Member for Yorkshire and Humberside and is the Education Representative for the Yorkshire Union of Law Societies. Amy has worked with various local Junior Lawyers Divisions and was elected as the Chair of the Junior Lawyers Division of The Law Society of England and Wales for the year 2018-19 representing approximately 75,000 junior lawyers. During her term she concentrated on sexual harassment and bullying, mental health and protections for junior lawyers in light of recent high –profile decisions (at that time) of the Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal to strike-off junior lawyers. Amy continues to take a keen interest in ensuring that the profession remains diverse, accessible and develops talent.

Amy has spoken at various national and international events including a conference in Uganda, at the American Bar Association’s Young Lawyer’s Division spring conference and, more recently, at the 3rd Cypriot Legal Conference.

Amy is trained as a Mental and Physical Health First Aider and is an advocate for positive mental health practices.

Amy’s work makes her an inspirational figure in the legal profession, using her skills and acumen to promote social justice.

Awards

Lawyer of the Year -  Modern Law Awards 2023

Claimant Team of the Year – Personal Injury Awards 2022

Rising Star at the 2018 Modern Law Awards

Testimonials

“From beginning to end, I was treated with dignity and respect, and any fears I had about discussing what had happened to me, or the fear of being judged, were firmly laid to rest by the solicitor in charge of my case, Amy Clowrey, who I felt went above and beyond in her approach and work, she was sensitive and thorough, and put me at ease from the outset, she made certain that the very best possible outcome was achieved for my case, never accepting anything less than what she felt was due, similarly, every person that I spoke with at Switalskis, working on different aspects of the case, were no different, they all gave it their absolute and undivided attention.

Throughout the entire process I was kept up-to-date on all aspects of the case and its progress, and when I was unsure about any part of what was happening, or expressed any concerns, these were met with honesty, openness, fairness, and above all, with relevant and factual information, allowing me to make informed choices. Equally important, was that I didn't at any time feel pressured to engage (of course I had to, but there were periods when I was mentally unable), during these times, a respectful distance was maintained, by which I mean I didn't feel harassed, I was allowed the space in which to participate, and keeping a distance whilst moving the case along without pushing you, is a skill that comes with years of professional practice, and I never once felt I was being stereotyped, nor did I ever feel like I was just another a case to get out of the way as quickly as possible, I was treated like an individual.”

“Amy Clowrey was professional, polite, friendly and very clear with her advice. She made you feel at ease and kept you informed all through the process. I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you for all her help and patience and understanding.”

“I was very grateful to have Amy Clowrey as my solicitor, as she allowed me to express myself, even though it was awkward and embarrassing at times. She was easy contactable and come back to me at things I didn’t understand.”

“The very first-time mum spoke to Amy she noticed how easy she was to talk to and how she felt at ease immediately. Given the circumstances of having to rake up traumatic past events, this alone was a great start to their relationship. Amy also contacted me to explain who she was and how she would be helping mum. I knew from that first conversation that Amy was the right solicitor to help mum with her case.

Throughout the whole process Amy has been compassionate, understanding and communicative. I believe mum would have found this whole process too stressful and may not have had the courage and strength to see it through if it wasn’t for Amy.

Amy has been a great support, while maintaining her professionalism with her caring nature. Mum and I can’t thank Amy enough”

“Amy Clowrey treated my case with the care and sensitivity required. She was always helpful, and above all, very patient with me. I felt I was able to trust her and that she had my best interests in mind at all times. I always felt confident to take her considered advice.”

Published Articles

Social mobility takes a hit | Solicitors Journal | February 2020

Co-author Hannah Bignell

https://www.solicitorsjournal.com/sjarticle/Social%20mobility%20takes%20a%20hit

Criminal Legal Aid – once it’s gone it’s gone | Law Society Gazette |December 2019

Co-author Stephen Davies

https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/commentary-and-opinion/criminal-legal-aid-once-its-gone-its-gone/5102393.article

Testing times | Solicitors Journal | September 2019

https://www.solicitorsjournal.com/sjarticle/Testing%20times

What being part of the JLD executive committee has done for me | The Lawyer | September 2019

https://www.thelawyer.com/the-jld-blog-what-being-part-of-the-jld-executive-committee-has-done-for-me/

Tackle bullying and harassment form the top | Law Society Gazette | October 2019

https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/commentary-and-opinion/tackle-bullying-and-harassment-from-the-top/5101772.article

Recommended minimum salary for trainees raised | The Lawyer | February 2019

https://www.thelawyer.com/recommended-minimum-salary-for-trainees-raised/

29 is the magic number | Law Careers Net | February 2019

https://www.lawcareers.net/Explore/LCNSays/Twenty-nine-is-the-magic-number-as-the-average-age-of-qualifying-solicitors

Junior lawyers need protection – now | Law Society Gazette |March 2019

https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/commentary-and-opinion/junior-lawyers-need-protection-now/5069558.article

Failing to protect children from abuse | Law Society Gazette | December 2018

https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/commentary-and-opinion/failing-to-protect-children-from-abuse/5068591.article

What is the JLD and what does it do for me? | Law Careers Net | November 2018

https://www.lawcareers.net/Explore/LCNSays/What-is-the-JLD-and-what-does-it-do-for-me

The life of a child abuse solicitor | The Lawyer | May 2018

https://www.thelawyer.com/jld-1-child-abuse-solicitor/

Late-night courts will pile more pressure on stressed junior lawyers | Law Society Gazette | July 2017

https://www.lawgazette.co.uk/comment-and-opinion/late-night-courts-will-pile-more-pressure-on-stressed-junior-lawyers/5062024.article

Bar Standards Board “to monitor impact of longer court hours plan on diversity” | Legal Futures | July 2017

https://www.legalfutures.co.uk/latest-news/bar-standards-board-monitor-impact-longer-court-hours-plan-diversity

Jumping ship as a junior lawyer | Solicitors Journal | May 2017

https://www.solicitorsjournal.com/sjarticle/Jumping%20ship%20as%20a%20young%20lawyer

Making progress on workplace discrimination and stress | Solicitors Journal | February 2017

https://www.solicitorsjournal.com/sjarticle/Making%20progress%20on%20workplace%20discrimination%20and%20stress

Six good reasons why judges should meet with children in appropriate cases | Family Law | September 2016

Co-author  Vince Pescod, Senior Lecturer, University of Huddersfield

https://www.familylaw.co.uk/news_and_comment/six-good-reasons-why-judges-should-meet-with-children-in-appropriate-cases

 

Committee Member of the Council Membership Committee of The Law Society of England and Wales

Education Representative of the Union of Yorkshire Lawyers

Committee Member of the Huddersfield Law Society Uganda Twinning Group