Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP‘s practice has a strong reputation for its abilities handling the full remit of work, including representing claimants and their families in high-profile and sensitive severe and fatal accident matters. Further, the team is well-equipped to handle regulatory mandates, advising on issues from crisis and risk management to situations of potential reputational damage. The practice is co-led by Bristol-based Jon Cooper who is regarded by clients as ’amongst the very best senior solicitors in the country in the health and safety field’, alongside Kevin Elliott in Leeds whose ‘knowledge of the law is unparalleled’. Ashley Borthwick is also in Bristol and has experience acting in serious workplace incidents.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The Health and Safety team at Womble Bond Dickinson is packed with genuine subject matter experts. Helmed by Jon Cooper and Kevin Elliott, the WBD team is led by two of the most recognisable names in the field of health and safety law. WBD's ability to cross-office work at sites across the UK, in my view, sets them apart.’
‘The team has a wealth of experience and expertise in health and safety law. They provide realistic and carefully reasoned advice, are responsive and conscientious, and are mindful of commercial implications.’
‘Ashley Borthwick is thoughtful, hardworking and very good with clients. Jon Cooper is one of the country's leading health and safety practitioners with an encyclopaedic knowledge of regulatory law.’
‘Ashley Borthwick is a thoughtful and thorough practitioner who is good at handling complex cases and working with clients to achieve the best possible result.’
‘The Health and Safety team is lead by Jon Cooper, who is objectively the leading health and safety lawyer in the UK. Jon is without a doubt an expert in his field and his ability to navigate intricate legal matters with finesse and balance them with his attention-to-detail and unwavering commitment to ensuring the health and safety of of all involved is commendable.'
‘Jon Cooper is simply outstanding, provides an incredibly responsive service and draws from a deep well of experience to deliver very strategic advice. Ashley Borthwick is developing very strongly.’
‘Kevin Elliott is unquestionably a doyen of health and safety law. Kevin's knowledge of the law is unparalleled, he has the gravitas that means judges, coroners, regulators and board members listen to what he has to say, but he also has a reassuring and down to earth manner that puts the most nervous witnesses at ease. He is one of the first people we ring when a crisis arises.’
‘Jon Cooper is in my view amongst the very best senior solicitors in the country in the health and safety field. His past experience as a prosecutor put him at a great advantage when advising defendants. His strategic and tactical skills are second-to-none.’
Key clients
- Babcock
- B&Q Plc
- Carlsberg UK
- Princess Yachts Limited
- AIG
- IBI Group (UK) Limited
- Sir Robert McAlpine Limited
- Siemens Energy
- Local Authority Building Control (LABC)
Work highlights
- Advised an individual client following a fatal accident during the refurbishment of the St Enoch's Shopping Centre Glasgow.
- Advised Princess Yachts in respect of a prosecution arising from a serious accident in November 2021.
- Advised Local Authority Building Control in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Jon Cooper, Kevin Elliott