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Mandy Casavant
Mandy Casavant
Mandy leads the Wiltshire Private Client Team and puts great effort into providing clear, practical legal advice, without the usual legal jargon. She handles private wealth and succession planning matters including estate administrations, Wills and trusts. Mandy has a particular interest in the developing area of digital assets and the way with which these should be dealt both as part of clients’ succession planning and post-death. She is an approachable lawyer. Mandy works closely with various local communities, often working outside of the formal office setting. Mandy spends part of her working week out in the community on home visits, care setting visits and hospital visits. Mandy has extensive experience of dealing with probate and estate administration. She specialises in inheritance tax planning, trusts, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Court of Protection work on loss of mental capacity, capital tax planning, trusts (on death and in lifetime) and Wills. Her work often crosses over with other teams such as conveyancing, matrimonial and corporate teams. A keen advocate for hosting co-advisor interaction events to advise a client ‘in the round’. Mandy trained at RWK Goodman and qualified in 2003 where she has built her experience and reputation as an estate and probate specialist, including advising same-sex couples on estate planning and digital afterlife. Her background includes a psychology degree. Expertise Mandy’s private client expertise includes; all aspects of Will drafting estate planning, lifetime and succession planning for individuals and families, with a focus on inheritance tax and capital gains tax planning estate administration, including inheritance issues applications for probate, including Grant of Probate advising on the establishment UK Trusts varying the distribution of an estate Inheritance Tax Reliefs advising of appropriate Powers of Attorney including Lasting Powers of Attorney advising on the formation of trusts and trust administration issues relating to mental capacity. advising elderly and vulnerable beneficiaries (including arranging capacity assessments) and advising on providing for vulnerable/disabled beneficiaries
Mike Muston
Mike Muston
Mike is a Partner in RWK Goodman’s dedicated Contested Wills, Trusts & Inheritance Disputes team. Mike has helped many clients with issues relating to Will disputes, claims for financial provision, disputes between executors and disputes between attorneys in the Court of Protection. He is focused on providing practical solutions to help clients through difficult situations. Mike is ranked as an ‘Up and Coming Partner’ by the Chambers High Net Worth Guide and is also recommended by the Legal 500. A barrister states: “He is extremely good and is building up a formidable practice.” A client says: “He is understanding and easy to communicate with, and I feel assured he will do his utmost for us.” Chambers High New Worth Guide “Mike Muston is excellent with clients and able to quickly get to the heart of any dispute.” Legal 500 Mike’s experience includes: Challenges to the validity of Wills, including issues of capacity, undue Influence, execution, lack of knowledge and approval Court of Protection disputes Claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975 Proprietary Estoppel and Constructive Trusts Acting for charities in defending inheritance disputes Disputes over the administration of estates Mike has also contributed articles to the well renowned Trusts & Estates Law and Tax Journal.
Abigail Ringer
Abigail Ringer
Abigail joined our Medical Negligence team in Spring 2015, having previously worked in medical negligence at a law firm in Cambridge. Abigail graduated in medicine from Cambridge University in 2005 and completed her Legal Practice Certificate with CILEx Law School thereafter. With a solid background in both medicine and law, Abigail brings valuable insights to handling medical negligence claims. She specialises in cases on behalf of children affected by cerebral palsy. She is passionate about enhancing the quality of life of differently-abled children and wrote our Cerebral Palsy Guide as a practical guide for families. She also set up the Little Champions page on Instagram which celebrates the courage of children living with a brain injury. Abigail manages all new birth injury cases which have resulted in a brain injury to the baby. With a solid background in both medicine and law, Abigail brings valuable insights to handling medical negligence claims. She specialises in complex and high value birth injury claims and works closely with partner Kerstin Scheel.
Ali Batchelor
Ali Batchelor
Ali is a Partner in our clinical negligence department and leads the firm’s inquest team. She specialises in advising clients in relation to coroner’s inquests and claims involving catastrophic injury. She is one of a select few practitioners nationwide to hold APIL’s fatal specialist status, an accreditation reserved for those dedicated to achieving the best outcomes for those pursuing claims when a loved one has died through negligence. Ali is recommended in the Legal 500, in which she is praised for her technical expertise and the tailored support she offers her clients. She is recognised for her experience in complex and especially sensitive cases and has extensive knowledge of Article 2 inquests, including deaths in prison, or deaths involving mental health treatment. Her busy and varied clinical negligence practice concentrates on the following areas: Surgical claims Cancer Amputation Brain injury Orthopaedic injuries Fatal claims Stillbirth and neonatal claims Secondary victim claims Social care
Amanda Noyce
Amanda Noyce
Amanda is the partner with responsibility for our specialist Contested Wills, Trusts and Inheritance Disputes team. With 30 years’ experience in the profession, Amanda was shortlisted for Lawyer of the Year for her work on the high profile Barton case in the 2018 Bristol Law Society awards. She has practiced in both the non-contentious and contentious areas of inheritance, probate and trusts but now specialises exclusively in contentious probate and trusts work. Amanda is ranked a Leading Individual by the Legal 500.
Ben Lees
Ben Lees
Ben leads the Clinical Negligence Team in London. Although he works in the London office, Ben represents clients across the country. Ben specialises in claims of maximum severity and complexity and has a particular expertise in cases involving spinal, brain and amputation injuries. Ben’s cases often involve life changing injuries, and he is committed to building a network of specialists around his clients to ensure the best possible outcome for them – during the lifetime of the claim and beyond.
Calum Campbell
Calum Campbell
Calum is a Partner in our Contested Wills, Trusts & Inheritance Disputes team and specialises in helping clients across Swindon, Oxford, Marlborough and Wiltshire. He helps clients defend or contest a Will and advises on a broad range of inheritance disputes. He specialised in this area after several years practicing as a property and general litigator, with a particular focus on inheritance and trust disputes. Calum is a member of our specialist Contested Wills, Trusts & Inheritance Disputes team. He is ranked as a Rising Star by the Legal 500. ‘Calum Campbell is a solid private client and property litigator, combining a depth of legal knowledge with a tenacious approach to litigation, yet at all times keeping an eye on the client’s objectives. Legal 500  Calum takes satisfaction in working with clients in a pragmatic manner to find a way through what are often challenging and upsetting circumstances. Specialisms Challenges to the validity of Wills including issues of capacity, undue influence, lack of knowledge and approval, fraudulent calumny, execution and revocation Claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants Act) 1975 Claims to recover lifetime gifts Removal of Trustees and Executors Proprietary Estoppel claims Constructive Trust claims under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996 including property related cohabitation disputes.
Caroline Doran Millett
Caroline Doran Millett
Caroline is a Partner in RWK Goodman's Employment & Immigration team who works closely with international and UK based businesses, company directors, senior executives, employees and founders. Caroline is a leading employment law expert for employers and multi-national businesses and she is a recommended lawyer in legal directories as a leader for employment law for senior executives, senior employees, directors and founders. An experienced and commercially aware lawyer, she comes recommended by the Legal 500 UK and Chambers UK, the top ranked guide to the best UK law firms and best UK lawyers, and is described as “completely unflappable… and genuinely cares about her clients” (Legal 500, 2016), “excellent” (Legal 500, 2015) and “thinks strategically and produces good creative solutions”’ (Legal 500, 2023) Caroline is a key member of the Settlement Agreement team in London , advising on “without prejudice” discussions, termination negotiations and negotiating financial exit packages and Caroline leads the Senior Executive and Company Directors team. Caroline’s expertise and advice for senior executives and employees, City professionals, directors and founders includes: Contract reviews; including bonus or restrictive covenant reviews Pay and bonus disputes Team moves, restrictive covenants and allegations of confidential information theft or misuse Unfair dismissal and redundancy TUPE and mergers Whistleblowing Sex, race, age, gender reassignment and maternity discrimination and sexual harassment Equal pay claims Without prejudice discussions, settlement agreements, “Protected Conversations” and exit negotiations and packagesCaroline assists UK and international businesses on all HR and employment matters. She often receives referrals from UK and international law firms and professional advisors as she is trusted to deliver excellent service and strategic employment legal advice. Caroline advises on all aspects of UK employment law, including: contracts reviews and drafting employee handbooks HR and employment training whistleblowing, misconduct and grievances investigations dismissing employees poor performance issues misconduct allegations (including sexual harassment and fraud) boardroom, bonus, contractual and shareholding disputes restrictive covenants, confidential information theft and team moves disciplinary and regulatory investigations in the UK and USA wrongful and unfair dismissal claims sex, race, age, gender reassignment and maternity discrimination and equal pay claims without prejudice discussions, settlement agreements and exit negotiations and packages redundancies and business restructures cross border litigation and employment disputes conducting and advising on complex whistleblowing investigations for FTSE 100 and high profile entities helping businesses dismiss CEOs, Executive Chairmen and other board members with complex high value remuneration packages TUPE, takeovers, mergers and acquisitions
Catherine  Hawkes
Catherine Hawkes
Catherine is a Senior Associate in our Employment & HR team based in our City of London office. Catherine is an experienced employment lawyer, advising both organisations and senior executives on complex employment issues. Catherine frequently advises on discrimination matters as well as employee competition issues, including confidential information and post termination restraints. Catherine qualified in September 2015 and joined RWK Goodman in March 2017. She read law at the University of Reading and spent a year in the Netherlands at the University of Maastricht where she read European and International law. Catherine trained and qualified at Gordon Dadds and also spent a year in the City in an in-house role specialising in corporate and employment law.
Charlotte Ebbutt
Charlotte Ebbutt
Charlotte is a Senior Associate in the firm’s Commercial team, and is primarily based in our Oxford office. She advises clients on a range of commercial matters including the protection, management and exploitation of intellectual property, data protection compliance, various commercial contracts and specialist racing & bloodstock contracts. Having joined the firm in 2014, Charlotte has developed a broad commercial practice acting for variety of businesses ranging from those in the creative and tech industries to charities and governing bodies. She has particular experience advising on IP and IT matters and data protection compliance. Charlotte is also part of the firm’s specialist Racing & Bloodstock team and advises jockeys, trainers and other stakeholders from across the industry on a range of matters including regulatory issues, disciplinary and licensing cases and specialist commercial agreements regarding racing and bloodstock. A keen equestrian herself, Charlotte competes in eventing in her spare time. Charlotte is recommended in the Legal 500 as a Rising Star for Sport related work. Charlotte’s particular areas of expertise include: Commercial Intellectual Property Data Protection Racing & Bloodstock
Chris Wilson
Chris Wilson
Chris joined the Private Client team as a solicitor in 2016. Joining the Private Client team in 2016, Chris brings his expertise with over ten years of experience. Practice areas Chris has particular knowledge within the following areas: domestic and international tax planning the establishment and administration of trusts, wills and lasting powers of attorney the administration of estates including those with international elements.
Claire James
Claire James
After her undergraduate degree, Claire completed her legal studies in the College of Law, Bristol and obtained a distinction in the Graduate Diploma in Law and Legal Practice Course. After qualifying as a solicitor in 2014, Claire worked in the Contentious Trusts and Probate team of an established high street firm before joining RWK Goodman in 2021 in our Contested Wills, Trusts and Inheritance Disputes team. Claire advises on all matters related to contentious probate and aims to provide practical and easy to understand advice to her clients. Claire undertakes all types of contentious trusts and probate work including: Acting for claimants and defendants in claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975; Challenging and defending Wills in validity disputes; Advising executors and beneficiaries on issues relating to the administration of estates; and Advising claimants and defendants in relation to claims under the Trusts of Land and Appointment of Trustees Act 1996.
Clizia Motterle
Clizia Motterle
Clizia joined our Family team in September 2015 and advises on divorce and matrimonial finances. She is also involved in advising clients who have been victim of domestic abuse. Clizia is an experienced Family Senior Associate who advises clients in connection with divorce and matrimonial finances and arrangements for children, as well as cases involving domestic abuse. Being an Italian national and speaker, Clizia regularly advises clients with a particular connection with that jurisdiction. Clizia is an Italian national, and bilingual (Italian / English). She grew up in Italy and moved to the UK after completing her first degree in Law, to complete her post-graduate studies in Bristol. Clizia joined RWK Goodman in 2013 and, having completed her training, she qualified as a Bath Family Solicitor in 2015. She was promoted to Associate in 2020. She recognises that even the most amicable of relationship breakdowns can be very emotional at times and aims to establish good relationships with clients, offering sympathy when needed at the same time as adopting a pragmatic approach in her advice. Whenever possible, she encourages clients to keep a line of communication open and to try and resolve matters through amicable and cost-effective negotiation. Clizia is listed as an Italian speaking solicitor on the register held by the Italian Consulate in London.
Cully Painter
Cully Painter
Elizabeth (known as Lizzy) is a Senior Associate in the construction and engineering team. Lizzy advises clients across the entire supply chain to deliver construction and engineering projects, such as employers/developers, funders, contractors/consultants and specialist sub-contractors/consultants. Lizzy is always enthusiastic to hear about upcoming projects, innovative practices and the inspiring individuals who make up the industry. Lizzy advises her clients across the entire life cycle of a construction and engineering projects. Lizzy provides strategic advice at the outset of a project, relating to procurement issues and risk management (including the benefits of obtaining construction security, such as collateral warranties, bonds and guarantees). Throughout the pre-construction stage, Lizzy prepares and negotiates both industry standard and bespoke forms of contract/appointments etc. Lizzy has particular experience advising on the risks associated with using the JCT and NEC suites of contract. During the construction period and post-delivery of a project, Lizzy advises clients on construction and engineering disputes, and most importantly, how to achieve pragmatic and commercial resolutions. Lizzy also works cohesively with her property colleagues to deliver development and lease transaction (etc) for mutual clients. Areas of expertise JCT and NEC Education sector Health Care sector Residential developments Commercial fit outs Civils and infrastructure
Dan Dodman
Dan Dodman
Dan is the Head of the Dispute Resolution team across RWK Goodman. He focuses on high value, complex cases which often have international elements. He has a particular interest in civil fraud work and the tracing and freezing of assets in a global context. Dan trained and spent 10 years at Hogan Lovells working on major civil litigation and civil fraud.  Following this he spent three years at Fox Williams, again working on a large number of high value claims in multiple jurisdictions.  Dan joined RWK Goodman in December 2019 and has continued his interest in litigating and defending civil fraud claims. Dan has worked in jurisdictions across the world, including in hearings in the BVI, Argentina, Spain and the CIS regions.  He also has connections across the industry in forensic investigations, intelligence gathering and PR and is well versed in using these experts strategically to obtain results for clients. Civil fraud represents some of the most challenging and complex litigation with the outcomes often being high stakes and the atmosphere tense.  Dan’s experience allows him to address these situations in a measured way when accompanied by his excellent team.
David Israel
David Israel
David, a well-known and respected London employment lawyer, acts for companies and senior executives on their employment issues. David deals with the whole breadth of employment matters. His advice ranges from day-to-day employment issues that arise through to more involved matters such as whistleblowing, discrimination and equality issues, as well as confidentiality and the enforcement of pre- and post-termination obligations. David also specialises in large scale re-organisations and the employment aspects of corporate acquisitions, disposals and transfers of undertakings.
Deanna Hurst
Deanna Hurst
Deanna is a partner in our Private Client team with a wide range of expertise. She acts for individuals, families and charities and enjoys building lasting relationships with her clients. Deanna started her legal career at Royds (now RWK Goodman following our merger) in 2007 where she progressed to partner in 2011. Deanna studied Law and Criminology at the University of Sheffield and was awarded a distinction for the Legal Practice Course (LPC) by the London College of Law. Whilst studying there she was awarded the Law Society’s National Prize for Outstanding Performance. The Legal 500 UK recognised Deanna as “efficient, reliable and highly intelligent. She works hard, thinks ahead and forgets nothing.” The same source also commended Deanna for her “excellent client relationship skills”. As part of Deanna’s role, she regularly attends meetings of the Charity Law Association and the Law Society Private Client Section. She is a fully qualified member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). Deanna enjoys walking and cycling in the countryside, cooking and entertaining for friends and family and travel. Practice areas Estate planning Inheritance tax mitigation Wills Probate and estate administration Trusts Mental capacity including Lasting Powers of Attorney Court of Protection Charity law
Divya Anand
Divya Anand
Prior to starting her training contract, Divya worked for a well-known Claims Management Company which specialised in screening and vetting quality clinical negligence cases for a large panel of specialist clinical negligence firms. It was during her time there that she developed an interest in clinical negligence. She completed her training contract at Devonshires Solicitors LLP in October 2015. She joined Duncan Lewis Solicitors Ltd in November 2015 as a NQ Clinical Negligence Solicitor.
Edward Vidnes
Edward Vidnes
Edward is a partner in our Private Client team. He joined RWK Goodman in September 2013 and specialises in Wills, estate planning and Lasting Powers of Attorney as well as elderly and incapacity issues such as Deputyships and Personal Injury Trust matters. Edward’s skills and experience include: all aspects of Will drafting estate planning and administration (including lifetime gifts and inheritance issues) varying the distribution of an estate applications for probate, including both Grant of Probate and Letters of Administration Inheritance Tax Reliefs advising of appropriate Powers of Attorney including Lasting Powers of Attorney Court of Protection Deputyship applications and management
Emma Young
Emma Young
Emma has worked in family law for over 14 years. She was previously employed in-house for a local authority’s legal department so Emma is able to offer a unique insight when advising on cases involving Family concerns. Emma is identified as “undoubtedly one to watch” by The Legal 500 UK,  who also recognise her as “very personable and a delight to work with”, and “absolutely diligent in terms of her case preparation”. She has in depth knowledge of the pre proceedings process, care proceedings and private law matters when the local authority is asked to assist the court. Her detailed knowledge of local authorities’ duties and their powers means that she is able to offer clear and robust advice, while ensuring that the correct process is being followed. Emma has regularly dealt with complex matters including cases where allegations have been made of serious inflicted injury and sexual abuse. Emma conducts her own advocacy where possible. She is able to undertake all work involving children, in particular: Representing parents during the pre proceedings process under the Public Law Outline Representing parents, children (both through their Children’s Guardian and direct) and other family members in care proceedings where the local authority has made an application to court Representing parents in respect of various issues, including obtaining parental responsibility, contact disputes and determining where a child should live Special guardianship matters Adoption and step parent adoption Domestic violence matters
Estelle Tague
Estelle Tague
Estelle Tague is a Partner in our Wills, Trusts, and Estates team, with a specialism in International Private Client work. She is Head of Private Client London
François Mouniélou
François Mouniélou
François is an Associate (Chartered Tax Consultant) in RWK Goodman’s Private Client team in London. He joined the firm in December 2022. François first studied law in France and Spain. He then obtained a master’s in tax law from the Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne and a second master’s from King’s College London. He holds the Graduate Diploma in Law from the University of Law and the Advanced Diploma in International Taxation from the Chartered Institute of Taxation. François finally qualified as a Chartered Tax Adviser in 2020. Prior to joining RWK Goodman, François’s previous roles included tax advisor in a private wealth team at a London law firm, senior tax consultant in a well-known accountancy firm, and tax advisor in a tax and wealth management firm. Specialisms: François area of expertise is cross-border private client matters, with specific focus on French and UK taxation, including residence and domicile analysis, tax and estate planning, trust and life insurance taxation.
Helen Childs
Helen Childs
Helen is a partner in our Personal Injury team and heads up the Industrial Disease Team across London, Oxford and Bath where a team of dedicated lawyers specialise in representing claimants with asbestos related illnesses. Helen represents claimants with mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis and pleural thickening. Helen is a dedicated specialist industrial disease lawyer. She represents claimants exposed to asbestos in a wide variety of ways, including occupationally, environmentally, in schools and hospitals and secondary exposure from family members work clothes. Helen is recognised as a Leading Lawyer by the Legal 500 – where she is described as “an exceptional partner” with “a huge capacity for work…an unerring willingness to fight for her clients and an excellent knowledge of asbestos litigation. A pleasure to work with” Helen is incredibly proud to be a trustee for Mesothelioma UK. RWK Goodman were also delighted to be named as Mesothelioma UK’s corporate donors of the year for the second year running. Part of the Industrial Disease teams ethos is to “give something back” and we have sponsored scores of medical professionals to attend conferences like NLCFN, BTOG and IMIG with our Clifford Lloyd Education Fund, and to have supported Meso UK’s gendered Experience of Mesothelioma study  in memory of our client Lydia Carey. Helen is a true specialist with an expertise in out of time cases. Helen is a regular speaker at seminars, public meetings and charity fund raisers. She was invited to give a talk on Limitation to the APIL Asbestos conference.
Ian Carrier
Ian Carrier
Ian is a partner who heads up the Oxford Personal Injury team and the firm’s team of spinal injury specialists. His main areas of expertise include catastrophic injury work, especially traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury claims resulting in paralysis or partial paralysis. He also specialises in fatality claims. He is recognised as a leader in his field. Ian is also identified by The Legal 500 UK as “a dedicated and experienced practitioner” who exhibits “impressive attention to detail and case preparation skills”. Ian is a regular lecturer and contributor to professional associations, such as Thames Valley Police Family Liaison Officers and Citizens Advice Bureau. Ian qualified as a Solicitor in 1996 and became a partner in Marshall & Galpin Oxford in 2004. He joined RWK Goodman as a Partner following the two firms’ merger in September 2008.
James McNeile
James McNeile
James is a partner with over 20 years experience of UK and international private client work, especially relating to estate planning and trusts. James is an expert on estate planning for families with a particular interest in tax planning for non-UK domiciled individuals who have a tax exposure here either through UK residence or through ownership of UK assets. He heads the firm’s private client services which includes protecting wealth as assets, probate and estate administration, elderly and incapacity and inheritance and trust disputes. He is also a member of the firm’s Agriculture and Rural team advising farm and landed estate owners on lifetime issues such as the most tax efficient business ownership structures as well as succession and trust planning. His specialisms include: advising on the creation of UK and international trusts estate and trust planning for individuals and families advising farm and estate owners on estate and tax planning, as well as efficient business structures creating structures, involving both onshore and offshore elements, for the protection and efficient transfer of wealth. James’s specialist knowledge is highly regarded throughout the industry. He has written for Lexis Nexis and Butterworths legal publications, including chapters on “Planning and Administration of Offshore and Onshore Trusts” and “Trust Drafting and Precedents”. He is a regular speaker at UK and international conferences on the UK residence and domicile here. He joined RWK Goodman as a partner in 2006 having previously been a partner in the international private client team at Farrer & Co in London.
Janetta White
Janetta White
Janetta is a Senior Associate in the firm’s Corporate team and advises corporates, directors and shareholders on domestic and cross border mergers and acquisitions, group reorganisations and refinancings. Having joined the firm in 2018, Janetta specialises in a wide range of corporate work including acting for corporates and shareholders on corporate finance transactions, corporate structures and shareholder arrangements and group reorganisations. Specialisms Banking & Finance Corporate governance & advisory Leisure & Hospitality M&A Reorganisations & Restructuring
Jayne Martins
Jayne Martins
A family accredited mediator and collaborative lawyer, she specialises in financial remedy, cohabitation, and private law children work. Jayne is a Partner in the Family team in our Bath office and has specialised in family law throughout her career and joined us from Stone King in April 2021. A very experienced family lawyer, Jayne focuses on reducing conflict and finding constructive solutions for her clients. She is an accredited mediator which has equipped her with the skills needed to deal with the emotions that are inevitably involved in family matters. Complex financial matters for married and unmarried couples, including dealing with cases involving high net worth individuals and businesses Prenuptial agreements Cohabitation agreements and cohabitation disputes Private children law, including cross-border children matters
Jennifer Seavor
Jennifer Seavor
Jennifer is a Partner in our Personal Injury team and Head of the Bath and Swindon Industrial Diseases Teams. She exclusively represents sufferers of asbestos-related diseases, including mesothelioma, lung cancer, asbestosis and diffuse pleural thickening, and their families. Jennifer qualified in 2008 and has specialised in acting for sufferers of asbestos-related diseases ever since. She is an Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) Senior Litigator and accredited occupational and asbestos disease specialist.  Jennifer has recovered millions of pounds in compensation for her clients over the years. She has successfully concluded cases that other firms have dropped, recovered immunotherapy funding, dealt with claims for expats and former armed forces personnel and secured provisional and periodic payment orders for her clients. She regularly receives lovely testimonials from her clients on Trustpilot. Jennifer is recommended by The Legal 500 UK for “asbestos-related claims” and was ranked as a ‘Rising Star’ in 2019. Jennifer lives in Swindon and regularly acts for those who have developed asbestos related diseases as a result of exposure whilst working at the Railways and other large companies in the town. Jennifer volunteers as a Trustee on the Board for local charity Prospect Hospice. Jennifer has advised and assisted sufferers at a number of regional asbestos support groups over the years and has set up and runs the Swindon and Wiltshire Asbestos Support Group. Jennifer also hosts an annual ceremony in the town to mark Action Mesothelioma Day. She was appointed to the Board of Trustees for Prospect Hospice in Swindon in summer 2019. Jennifer contributes to and edits our team newsletter ‘Airborne’, has written articles for the Mesothelioma UK ‘Mesothelioma Matters’ magazine and has given interviews on regional BBC radio about asbestos issues. Jennifer also regularly attends the National Lung Cancer Nurses Forum and British Thoracic Oncology Group annual conferences. She presented at the Mesothelioma UK annual national Patient & Carer Day in 2019 on the law in relation to medicinal cannabis and CBD oil usage. Jennifer supports a number of charities including Mesothelioma UK, HASAG, Macmillan Cancer Support, Cancer Research UK and Prospect Hospice.
Jon Toogood
He is an accredited specialist with Resolution in matrimonial advocacy and pensions and a trained Collaborative lawyer. He has been independently recognised in the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners UK legal directories as an 'Eminent Practitioner' and "an outstanding family lawyer", having been described as "top drawer and super because he puts his clients’ interests to the fore while remaining open and honest" (Legal 500). Jon 'handles matrimonial finance issues in the context of divorce cases, and is a skilled arbitrator and collaborative lawyer. One client praises his "excellent technical knowledge, very good commercial awareness and very good bedside manner" (Chambers & Partners 2017). In March 2013 Jon qualified as a Family Arbitrator and was admitted to the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. This means that he is now qualified to arbitrate Family disputes between parties; he is a keen advocate of this process which is another form of Alternative Dispute Resolution. Jon’s experience is wide ranging and includes: Advising on all aspects of separation and divorce proceedings Resolving financial disputes relating to divorce including complex ancillary relief Representing clients through the collaborative divorce process. A devoted family man and member of the Bath team, he likes nothing more than tending his garden, walking his much loved dogs and also watching his beloved Bristol City.
Katharine Mortimer
Katharine Mortimer
Katharine is a partner in the firm’s Corporate team, specialising in domestic and cross border mergers and acquisitions, corporate structures, group reorganisations and employee share schemes and incentives. Katharine joined the firm in 1998 after 6 years at Allen & Overy. Katharine is recommended in The Legal 500: Katharine is recognised as a Leading Individual for Corporate work, reflective of her experience and expertise. Katharine acts for UK and international corporates and shareholders on a range of domestic and cross-border corporate finance transactions. Katharine is recognised by industry publications for her “expertise and knowledge of aspects such as bank policy” and credited with “superb negotiation skills”. Katharine is a member of the firm’s Financial Services sector group and has advised businesses from across the sector including financial advisory firms and insurance brokerages on corporate finance transactions. Katharine has a particular expertise in employee share schemes and incentives, frequently advising businesses on the structure of employee incentive schemes including EMIs, LTIPs and CSOPs. Katharine’s particular areas of expertise include: Banking & Finance Corporate governance & advisory Financial services Mergers & Acquisitions Reorganisations & restructuring
Katherine Lauder
Katherine Lauder
Katherine is head of the Bath Children (Private Law) and Domestic Abuse Team. Having qualified in 2005, she is an experienced family solicitor who specialises in complex cases involving children as well as cases involving domestic abuse. Katherine represents parents, grandparents and other family members as well as children both directly and via Children’s Guardians. Katherine is an Accredited Resolution Specialist. Katherine's specialisms Children. Child Arrangement Orders relating to living and contact arrangements, parental responsibility, Specific Issue Orders and Prohibited Steps Orders. Internal relocation and leave to remove from the jurisdiction. Jurisdictional issues. Special Guardianship Orders. Domestic abuse and violence – Non-Molestation Orders and Occupation Orders. Advising whilst individuals are engaging with mediation. Advising and representing individuals throughout the Court process. Advising and representing individuals throughout Arbitration. Acting for the Official Solicitor where client’s lack capacity and/or are vulnerable.
Keeley Lengthorn
Keeley Lengthorn
Keeley is a recognised first class children lawyer practising predominately in Public Law children proceedings-Acting for parents, the guardian, the child, extended family members and interveners. Keeley also practises in Private Law Children Act matters, Family Law domestic abuse matters and surrogacy. Alongside being a busy Family Lawyer Keeley is recognised as one of the leading baby loss campaigners in the UK and is the founder of Georges Law-Providing statutory protection for paid leave to parents who suffer a baby loss under 24 weeks gestation.
Kerstin Scheel
Kerstin Scheel
Kerstin specialises in birth and maternal injury claims, cerebral palsy and catastrophic injury cases, with a focus on complex and high value claims. Although based in our Bath and Bristol offices, she works with clients across the country, including London. Her main areas of expertise relate to hypoxic birth injury, cord prolapse, meningitis and Group B Strep infection related injuries. Kerstin also specialises in cases involving cardiology and delays in diagnosis of neurological cancers. After joining RWK Goodman in 2009, Kerstin nuanced her practice area to focus mainly in obstetric and neonatal cases, representing children and young adults who suffered neurological injuries before, during or after their birth. Kerstin works closely with chartered legal executive Abigail Ringer in progressing large and complex cases. Kerstin also specialises in inquest cases, focusing on medical negligence related deaths and also those involving Article II of the Human Rights Act. Kerstin works closely with Ali Cloak on a number of high profile inquest cases. Her experience of medical negligence claims includes: wrongful birth claims and additional costs of raising a disabled child Ogilvie Syndrome claims complex cardiology claims Erb’s Palsy cases relating to mismanaged shoulder dystocia claims regarding delays in diagnosis of cancer. Kerstin has both AvMA and Law Society Clinical Negligence Panel Accreditations. Sources call her “excellent, thorough, informed and very sensitive to the clients’ requirements whilst retaining a correct pragmatism“, and in the latest Chambers edition they report she is “very driven, very much all about the client and will really fight hard”. She has also been credited by fellow solicitors as “ambitious, tenacious and visible“. The Legal 500 UK also celebrate Kerstin, who “stands out for her ‘exceptional analysis'".
Kim Lehal
Kim Lehal
Kim is a recognised expert practising exclusively in all aspects of international and domestic children law. This includes international child abduction – Hague Convention and Non-Hague Convention wardship proceedings pursuant to the Inherent Jurisdiction of the High Court and relocation proceedings. RWK Goodman is one of the specialist firms appointed by the Ministry of Justice to sit on the Child Abduction: Accredited Solicitors Referral List. Kim advises in complex family disputes in Child Arrangements proceedings, recognition and enforcement of judgments, adoption and matters concerning parental responsibility. Kim also advises and represents victims of domestic abuse, honour-based violence, forced marriage, FGM and abandoned spouses in foreign jurisdictions. Kim is highly regarded as a specialist in assisted reproduction law and advises on complex international surrogacy arrangements and in multifaceted parental order cases where there have been issues with domicile, consent or where nationality or immigration law has caused difficulties with Family Court applications in the UK. Kim’s practice areas and specialisms include: International child abduction Recognition and enforcement of international orders Relocation Surrogacy Adoption Domestic abuse International child law Complex child arrangements Forced Marriage
Louise Hart
Louise Hart
Louise heads up the Personal Injury team and is recognised as a “leader in her field”. Louise is dedicated in representing Claimant’s who have suffered from limb loss or chronic pain including CRPS. Louise focusses her attention to detail on liability arguments, medical evidence and quantifying claims to ensure that she secures maximum compensation for those who instruct her. Louise has been accredited as a Personal Injury Lawyer under the Law Society Personal Injury Panel for over 25 years. Louise is recognised as a leading Lawyer by the Legal 500 who describe her as “caring, competent, well organised and highly effective”. Louise is praised for her ability to tailor her approach for each individual client. Louise’s experience is extensive and include acting for clients suffering from Chronic Pain, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome, limb loss, orthopaedic injuries scarring, polytrauma, injuries resulting in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Louise is robust in terms of liability relating to: Accidents at work; Road traffic accidents; Motorbike accidents; Occupiers Liability; Product liability.
Louise Nettle
Louise is a Partner who specialises in Court of Protection and Compensation Protection Trusts. Louise has over 12 years of experience dealing with clients who lack the necessary mental capacity to deal with their own property and financial affairs and the complex issues that often surround mental capacity. Louise specialises in managing compensation awards for clients who either have a Deputy appointed through the Court of Protection or whose award has been settled into a compensation protection trust (PI Trust) and managed by Trustees. Louise works closely with her colleagues in the clinical negligence and personal injury teams often becoming involved with the client and their family whist litigation is ongoing.  During this period Louise will work to build a trusted relationship with the client and their family helping to put a team of multi-disciplinary professionals in place to ensure that the client’s quality of life is maximised, whilst the claim is ongoing and for many years after settlement. Louise deals with all aspects of managing Compensation awards: Applications to the Court of Protection including Deputyship appointments, gift applications, Statutory Wills Advising on Compensation Protection Trusts Purchasing and adapting properties Forecasting and budgeting Liaising with Independent Financial Advisers to obtain tailored advice on investing large sum awards Liaising with Case managers and therapists in order to create a tailored MDT for the client
Maria Meek
Maria is a partner who specialises in Court of Protection and Compensation Protection Trusts. She has extensive experience working with clients who have cerebral palsy, brain and spinal cord injuries as well as those with learning difficulties, mental health issues or dementia. Maria specialises in managing compensation awards for clients who have a Deputy appointed by the Court of Protection or whose funds are held within a Compensation Protection Trust. She understands the difficulties that can be faced by clients after they receive their awards in balancing their immediate needs with ensuring they have provided for their future needs. This is often a difficult time for clients as their families have fought long and hard for their compensation and are suddenly faced with the reality that money doesn’t change everything. However, if managed appropriately it can make a real difference to their quality of life. Often clients are faced with making decisions about investments and financial planning that can seem overwhelming and Maria works closely with clients to make these processes as easy and as understandable possible. Maria undertakes all aspects of managing Compensation settlements including: applications to the Court of Protection Compensation Protection Trusts purchasing and adapting properties liaising with families and professionals dealing with direct employment of carers investing Compensation Awards accounting and budgeting tax
Marianne Johns
Marianne Johns
Marianne is the head of the Swindon office’s Dispute Resolution and Debt Recovery team and a highly experienced litigator with over 20 years of experience in civil, commercial and property litigation. Marianne deals with a wide range of disputes including the firm’s client’s more complex medium to large contractual and negligence based disputes which have included presenting and defending allegations of fraud, deceit and conspiracy. Marianne has a practice in professional negligence against solicitors, surveyors, architects and accountants and is a member of the Professional Negligence Lawyers Association.  In addition Marianne has many years of expertise in consumer related matters.  As the head of the Debt Recovery team, Marianne is also known for her expertise in debt recovery and enforcement including commercial and personal insolvency and, works with our Real Estate, Healthcare, Retail, Financial services, Technology and Media, Leisure and Hospitality and Racing & Bloodstock sectors. Marianne's experience includes: commercial contractual and negligence based disputes including sale of goods and services, financial and property based contractual disputes including enforcement of charges and commercial mortgage possession proceedings Fraud, deceit and conspiracy based disputes Director, shareholder and partnership disputes Consumer, consumer credit and product liability disputes Building disputes Professional negligence – solicitors, accountants, architects and surveyors Debt recovery and enforcement including insolvency both corporate and individual Insolvency related disputes including misfeasance, unlawful and void transactions, preference and undervalue transactions and defending claims relating to property claims arising in Bankruptcy Residential and commercial possession proceedings boundary, party wall, title and easement disputes, trespass actions. Marianne prides herself on her ability to adapt to meet the needs of her wide variety of clients. She takes a pragmatic, no-nonsense and to the point approach but with the sensitivity that each different client situation requires. At all times, Marianne’s aim is to achieve a swift and cost effective solution to the clients’ issues and she fully understands that litigation is not always appropriate – she is an avid advocate for Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Mark Hambleton
Mark Hambleton
Mark is an experienced Partner in RWK Goodman's Personal Injury team. He has a broad practice dealing with complex injuries and fatalities. Mark’s particular interests include representing cyclists and vulnerable road users, injuries caused by animals, fatal accident claims, acting for clients that don’t have capacity to conduct litigation themselves and professional negligence claims. Mark is a keen cyclist and advocate for vulnerable road users generally. He has built up significant experience in this field over the years and is passionate about pursuing claims of this nature and improving road safety generally. Having succeeded with all manner of claims for injuries caused by animals, in negligence and under the Animals Act, Mark is an expert in claims of this nature, commonly involving cattle, horses, dogs or pigs. Mark has established a niche practice representing individuals who suffer serious injuries whilst being cared for by others. These individuals are represented by their litigation friend due to their vulnerability and inability to conduct their own litigation. Mark is regularly instructed by people with complex injuries and by families who have lost loved ones, often as a result of road traffic collisions. Specialist areas Representing injured cyclists and other vulnerable road users Claims under the Animals Act 1971 and injuries caused by animals generally Representing those who don’t have capacity to conduct their own litigation Taking over the conduct of complex cases from other firms of solicitors Fatal accident claims Mark is known for his cycling thought leadership articles for Road cc and his activities on Twitter which have led to various media pieces.
Maud Lepez
Maud Lepez
A dual-qualified lawyer, Solicitor of England & Wales and French Avocate, Maud specialises in cross-border personal injury litigation and assists her clients both in England and in France. She is based in the London office. Maud has joined RWK Goodman in February 2024, after 13 years developing the Claimant practice at niche firm Pierre Thomas Law. Specialisms: Road traffics accidents abroad Ski and snowboard accidents Accidents in a public place abroad Holiday accidents Criminal injury compensation Aggravation claims under French law Brain injuries Complex orthopaedic injuries Dental and maxillo-facial injuries Multiple and catastrophic injuries Fatal injuries Maud always has her clients’ interests at heart and is a good listener who understands clients’ needs and goals. She communicates complex issues of foreign law and procedure in an intelligible way and in the client’s own language and is proactive in finding solutions.
Mei-Ling Huang
Mei-Ling Huang
Mei-Ling’s litigation experience spans a wide range of areas in two jurisdictions. She regularly advises on commercial disputes and health and social care sector issues. She takes the view that there is almost always a way to resolve a problem and that a practical approach is best. A partner qualified in the UK and USA, Mei-Ling is an experienced litigator with a reputation for trouble-shooting and crisis management. Recognised by The Legal 500 UK as “extremely knowledgeable” Mei-Ling “gives no-nonsense advice”, helping clients navigate and overcome threats to their businesses, providing management and business advice as well as legal expertise. Mei-Ling specialises in health and social care as well as commercial litigation and regularly advises care homes, home care agencies, supported living providers, dentists, GPs and drug and alcohol rehabilitation centres on the myriad of challenges they face. Mei-Ling's experience includes: advising in regard to breach of warranty claims after the sale of shares in a business successful mediation of a long-running partnership dispute within a family business successful mediation of a dispute relating to the denial of insurance cover and the professional negligence of an insurance broker contract disputes regarding the provision of services numerous challenges to CQC inspection reports for care providers, GP’s and dentists, increasing ratings of inadequate and requires improvement assisting care providers to maintain and achieve outstanding ratings successful appeals to the First Tier (Care Standards) Tribunal of Notices of Decision to cancel the registration of care services successfully contesting a Notice of Proposal to refuse registration for a dental practice advising care associations in regard to fees negotiations with local authorities helping care providers get paid by local authorities, CCG’s and private funders advising a provider in regard to a safeguarding whole service review and CQC Notice of Decision to cancel registration, including an appeal to the First Tier Tribunal bringing two successful judicial review cases against a local authority in relation to care home fees
Milan Kapadia
Milan Kapadia
Milan is a partner in our dispute resolution and insolvency teams based in our City of London office. He has strong experience in banking, commercial and civil litigation and restructuring & recovery. Milan’s clients include insolvency practitioners, corporate clients, clients in the Oil and Gas industry, several Indian Banks with a presence in the UK and individual clients. Milan qualified as a solicitor in 2009 at a niche city firm and joined Royds, now RWK Goodman, in 2012. His experience and expertise includes: high value commercial claims  for banks, corporate clients and individuals often with an international reach complex litigation involving beneficial interests, property, trusts, asset tracing and recovery company administrations and restructuring of insolvent companies, advising liquidators and administrators, insolvency petitions, pre-pack sales personal insolvencies private criminal prosecution Milan has also appeared before Registrars in the Bankruptcy Court and Masters in the Queen’s Bench Division and the Supreme Court Costs Division.
Natalie Lemonides
Natalie Lemonides
Natalie works as a Partner in the family department, specialising in all aspects of the breakdown of family relationships, with a particular focus on resolving complex financial issues for high net worth and ultra high net worth individuals. Natalie joined the London team in 2020 and prior to this worked at another Legal 500 West-End law firm. Natalie is known for her creativity, determination and strives to achieve excellent results for all her clients. Natalie has been shortlisted for Associate of the Year 2020 and has been ranked in the Citywealth Future Leaders Top 100 2020.  Some of her peers have described her as a “formidable family lawyer” and “Absolutely superb professionalism”. Natalie has specific experience of cases involving pre-acquired and post separation wealth. The majority of her work often has an international element involving substantial assets including trusts in multiple and competing jurisdictions. She also has experience of cases involving complex company structures. As well as advising clients on divorce, she has experience in drafting and negotiating pre-nuptial, post-nuptial and cohabitation agreements. In addition, Natalie also advises on child related matters including issues of residence and contact, leave to remove from the jurisdiction and financial provision for unmarried parents.
Nicola Radcliffe
Nicola Radcliffe
Nicola is a senior associate in our dispute resolution team and has experience in a wide range of commercial disputes. Nicola has been a member of our dispute resolution team for over 10 years advising clients across all sectors on a wide range of commercial disputes. Nicola’s typical instructions relate to professional negligence claims, contractual disputes, post-employment restraint of trade, boardroom and shareholder disputes and insolvency related matters.  She is regularly instructed by insolvency practitioners, financial advisers, technology and manufacturing businesses as well as individuals and SMEs. Specialisms Contractual disputes Corporate and individual insolvency Debt recovery Professional negligence claims Employment contract disputes
Paul Rumley
Paul Rumley
Paul specialises in complex and high value clinical negligence claims on behalf of injured patients. He is well known, nationally, for his empathy for his clients combined with a keen eye for detail. Paul is described in the Legal 500 as “quite simply the best clinical negligence practitioner in the business. He has an intellectually formidable brain. His determination to get to the right result is irresistible. Not surprisingly, his clients love him”. Paul’s experience informed his extensive contribution to legal aid reforms. Working with both houses of Parliament, Paul received nationwide recognition for his efforts and success in retaining legal aid for severely disabled children injured at birth. As immediate-past Chairman of the Society of Clinical Injury Lawyers (SCIL) he is regularly approached for comment on local and national radio, television, and national newspapers, and has written several specialist articles on the subject of legal aid reform. Paul specialises in: Cerebral palsy Erb’s palsy Complex brain injury Spinal injury Deputyship
Paul Daniels
Paul Daniels
Paul is a partner at RWK Goodman and leads the firm’s Commercial Division. He specialises in all aspects of real estate with particular focus on flexible office space, development and the property aspects of our health & social care sector. Paul’s strengths include building strong relationships with clients to help develop their businesses and is passionate about supporting colleagues in their careers to enable them to achieve their true potential. Paul has wide experience of real estate transactions including: advising operators and landlords/asset managers on leases and management agreements of flexible office and co-working space landlord and tenant work in the office, retail and leisure sectors property development for commercial and residential use secured lending/re-finance work acting for banks and borrowers acquisition and disposal in of care homes, retirement villages, hotels & restaurants property transactions for pension schemes (SIPP/SSAS) property support for corporate sales, acquisitions and mergers.
Peter Foskett
Peter Foskett
Peter is head of the firm’s team of lawyers specialising in Developer work and leads the Commercial Property team in Swindon which is praised in Chambers UK for its “detailed knowledge base and flexible service.” Peter undertakes all aspects of real estate work including: new development site acquisition strategic land development options for developers and landowners, including drafting and negotiating options conditional contracts, collaboration and joint venture agreements acting for freehold owners on purchases and sales acting for commercial landlords and tenants, particularly relating to buying retail, office and shop premises and other types of commercial property personal pension scheme funding for joint commercial property purchases, including SIPPs and SASS investment land acquisition for developers transactions for charity clients
Richard Brooks
Richard Brooks
Richard Brooks is based in London and represents clients nationwide and abroad. He is a litigator with a broad civil litigation and regulatory practise. He heads the Personal Injury Department in London and is joint head of the firm’s Racing and Bloodstock team. Richard has over 30 years’ experience and is consistently ranked as a leader in his field by the major legal directories. He represents Claimants who have suffered catastrophic personal injury such as spinal cord injury and brain injury as well as people with complex orthopaedic or psychiatric damage. He has a special interest in cases of chronic pain and functional neurological disorder. He has a real understanding of cases involving Permanent Health Insurance or Group Income Protection Insurance in which both employees and employers find themselves in dispute with insurance companies who fail to accept claims for cover. Having worked in two niche equine law firms and ridden out in racing stables for a number of years he also has a special interest in horseracing. He can be considered one of only a handful of real expert solicitors in claims involving animals. Richard is also an accredited Mediator and part of the firm’s mediation team. Known in particular for mediating equine-related matters he acts in a wide range of other commercial, property and other disputes. accidents to riders and horses including claims under the Animals Act 1971 personal injury work more broadly particularly very serious injury cases with a special interest in chronic pain road traffic accident claims sporting injuries: accidents involving participants and spectators denied health insurance (PHI/GIP) claims chronic pain including CRPS equine disputes involving training and other contract claims, misrepresentation, sales of goods and veterinary negligence sports disciplinary and licensing work particularly in horseracing
Richard Coleman
Richard Coleman
Richard, a partner at RWK Goodman, has specialised in clinical negligence claims on behalf of claimants since 1997. Although based in our Oxford office, he works with clients across the country. Richard is accredited under the Law Society Clinical Negligence Accreditation Scheme and sits on the Action against Medical Accidents (AvMA) Specialist Clinical Negligence Panel. He is also one of the national brain injury charity Headway’s approved personal injury solicitors, and holds Senior Litigator status with the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL). Richard has given lectures on clinical negligence law and has been interviewed on local radio as well as TV. Richard’s particular specialisms are: cerebral palsy and birth injury claims, including Erb’s palsy spinal injury claims involving paralysis bariatric (weight loss) surgery claims vascular claims and amputation adult brain injury claims fatal claims cardiology claims
Richard Ellis
Richard heads up our Family law team which is independently recognised as a Tier 1 practice in the South West in independent legal directory, The Legal 500 UK. Richard trained at RWK Goodman and became a partner in 2000 where he has always specialised in family law. He has a particular interest in cases where mental health and learning disabilities are an issue and has often been appointed by the Official Solicitor to represent vulnerable parties. His child protection work includes representing children, guardians, parents and other individuals involved in care proceedings. He has considerable advocacy experience in Magistrates, County and higher courts and has been involved in a number of reported cases. The Legal 500 UK describe Richard as having “considerable legal knowledge“, and praises him for his ability to “manage court proceedings well and engage with children and their parents in a way that endeavours to represent the child’s welfare and enables parties to fully understand what is happening within the proceedings“.
Richard Roth
Richard Roth
Richard is a Real Estate partner who specialises in commercial real estate and helps clients develop and use their commercial property to maximum benefit. Richard covers all aspects of commercial real estate but largely specialises in investment and development work. Richard acts for institutional investors, national developers and occupiers in connection with investment and development work alongside their other property requirements such as landlord and tenant. His experience includes working with family offices and personal investors as well as fund work and representing larger scale landowners/occupiers and developers. Richard's work highlights include: sale of the Pirelli UK site in Carlisle following the development of additional factory space and associated lease regears pre-let and forward sale, with development funding, of 1 College Square, Bristol freehold acquisition and development of a new Sainsbury���s supermarket in Wombourne various investment acquisitions and disposals for institutional investors and pension funds advising on the major mixed-use regeneration scheme for Bristol Harbourside representing various corporate occupiers in connection with HQ relocations and general tenant matters
Sara Isenberg
Sara Isenberg
Sara is a Senior Associate in our Private Client and Compensation Protection teams, based in our London office. Sara specialises in mental capacity and Court of Protection work with a great deal of experience working for and now as a professional Deputy. Sara is passionate about advocating for the vulnerable and ensuring their best interests are prioritised and met. Sara is a Senior Associate within both our Private Client and Compensation Protection teams. She previously worked alongside a Panel Deputy for five years, concentrating on property and financial affairs, going on to spend two years at a niche litigation firm, where she focused mainly on welfare disputes at the Court of Protection – acting mainly for family members and the Protected Person. Sara’s client base ranges from concerned family members, care homes and domiciliary care providers as well as acting on behalf of the RWK Goodman Trust company in its guise as professional finance Deputy for many incapacitated individuals. These vulnerable people range from elderly clients with Dementia to young children who have suffered serious brain injuries at birth. Sara is used to dealing with both contentious and non-contentious matters regarding property and financial affairs and welfare issues. Sara also has experience of managing cases at the Court of Protection which have a multi-jurisdictional element. In addition, Sara advises families on challenging CHC (Continuing Healthcare) funding decisions and failures of Local Authorities to comply with their obligations under both the Mental Capacity Act and Care Act. Sara's skills and experience include: applications to the Court of Protection in respect of property and financial affairs (ranging from Deputyship Orders with multi-jurisdictional aspects to statutory Will applications) applications to the Court of Protection in respect of welfare matters (including applications for best interest decisions in respect of residence, care and contact) applications to the Court of Protection in respect of gifting acting on behalf of Attorneys and Deputies acting on behalf of a professional Deputy in respect of the day-to-day management of Deputyship cases investigating financial abuse claims in respect of vulnerable individuals advising lay Attorneys and Deputies to ensure they meet their obligations advising care homes and care providers on ensuring they meet their obligations under the Mental Capacity Act including advising on any deprivation of liberty policies negotiating mediation agreements acting for both the protected person, professional and Panel Deputies and family members in contentious proceedings at the Court of Protection advising families on failures by Local Authorities to meet their obligations under the Mental Capacity and Care Acts. Sara is often asked to speak to employees about juggling responsibilities they may have in caring for elderly relatives. In the last few years Sara has been asked to a number of large organisations including Santander UK, Anglo-American, The Northern Trust and numerous Magic Circle law firms including Herbert Smith Freehills and Norton Rose Fulbright.
Simon Bassett
Simon Bassett
Simon is head of the Family law team and lead partner in London & Oxford. He has specialised in family law for over 20 years. Simon qualified as a solicitor in 1995 and joined RWK Goodman as a partner in 2008 after the firm’s merger with the Oxfordshire firm Marshall & Galpin. Simon is a regular contributor to local and legal press and provides family law training for local charities and organisations, including RELATE and the Citizens’ Advice Bureau. He regularly features on BBC Radio Oxford dealing with family law matters. He is an accredited adviser for Resolution, an organisation committed to the constructive resolution of family disputes. The Legal 500 UK, an independent guide to the legal profession, recognises that Simon “has invaluable experience and knowledge of the legal system“. In a more recent edition, he has been described as “excellent” and “a consistent high performer, particularly in matrimonial finance“. Simon's expertise includes: Providing advice on all aspects of separation and divorce Advising on financial matters and complex settlements, often involving companies pensions Matters involving children, including DNA Testing cohabitation and pre-nuptial agreements
Stuart Brazington
Stuart Brazington
Stuart is a partner who specialises in brain and catastrophic injuries and leads the Brain Injury team, which helps catastrophically injured clients who have had life changing injuries. Stuart is an elected member of the Partnership Committee. Stuart is highly experienced and works on complex brain and spinal injury litigation. Stuart also has a special interest in paediatric brain injury work and is a Trustee for two leading charities in the brain injury sector. Stuart lectures on brain and spinal injury issues to legal, medical and charity specialists. Stuart is a also Deputy approved by the Court of Protection. Stuart has recovered over £120m on behalf of his clients over the course of his career.
Tom Gilman
Tom Gilman
Tom heads up our Private Client team in Oxford. His appointment with the firm in 2011 has, effectively, brought him home. He originally qualified with Marshall & Galpin, who merged with RWK Goodman in 2008, before heading to Boodle Hatfield and then Manches where he became a partner. Being Oxford born and bred, Tom is very close to the needs and concerns of his clients and their families and has the advantage of working with a network of expert teams based across our regional offices. Tom advises on a broad range of issues including; Wills Inheritance Tax Powers of attorney Court of Protection Probate and estate administration Trusts and estate planning
Tracy Norris-Evans
Tracy Norris-Evans
Tracy is head of our Injury division, and a partner specialising in complex personal injury and medical negligence cases of maximum severity, especially paediatric claims. Tracy is so interested in medicine that she has been appointed a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine. Based in our Oxford office, Tracy represents clients across the country. Tracy understands the damaging effect of injury on the entire family and she appreciates the importance of achieving the right level of compensation, as well as making sure it lasts her clients for their lifetime. She has specialised in personal injury and clinical negligence catastrophic claims since 1989 and has successfully recovered damages in excess of £50m for her clients. Tracy heads the firm’s personal injury team and her specialisms include: injury claims to children through birth injury or accident head injury cases stroke as a consequence of physiotherapy acting as a Professional Trustee or Deputy for clients. Her high profile cases are regularly reported in legal publications including Lawtel, MedNeg, APIL and Healthcare Risk. Tracy became head of the personal injury team following the merger of RWK Goodman and Marshall & Galpin in 2008. She also heads up the Compensation Protection Unit across the firm.