Noted for its ‘great reputation for delivering results’, the clinical negligence practice at Russell-Cooke LLP is co-led by Janice Gardner, a ’seasoned operator’ in the team’s cognitive, spinal and infection injury litigation, along with complex birth injuries, and Dominic Fairclough, a key operator in the department’s inquest cases. Bernadette McGhie is attributed with ‘great commitment and effective judgment’, and is a key operator in the team’s brain injury, cerebral palsy, and maternal injury cases. The team is active in a number of clinical negligence mandates, ranging from major birth injuries resultant from asphyxiation, catastrophic surgical errors and cognitive injuries, misdiagnosis and delayed treatment as well as psychiatric and self-harm injury claims. Ruth Roberts is a notable adviser in inquests and fatal surgical injury disputes.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Approachable, pragmatic, high level of empathy which is extremely important in highly stressful and often live changing situations. Professionalism, expertise and experience in dealing with both parties involved in the cases.’

  • ‘The willingness to listen, guide and provide expertise during times of high stress is a comfort when everything feels out of control.’

  • ‘As above. In today's world, reliability is rare and Dominic is reliable, knowledgeable and shows empathy when it's needed most. Whilst empathy won't win cases, it helps us as claimants feel heard and fought for.’

  • ‘Strong team with huge amounts of experience.’

  • ‘Janice Gardner at the Putney office is a really seasoned operator who will go that extra mile to get the best outcome on the evidence. She thinks her cases through properly and has great judgment. She is empathetic and easy to work with but always on top of the evidence and the law. She is trusted by clients and opponents.'

  • ‘A strong team with a great reputation for delivering results.’

  • ‘Bernadette McGhie - great commitment and effective judgment. ’

Key clients

  • Peter Isaac, deceased

Work highlights

  • Peter Isaac, deceased – successfully represented clients at a 4-day clinical negligence Trial in the High Court.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Janice Gardner, Dominic Fairclough

Other key lawyers

Bernadette McGhie, Ruth Roberts