The general liability department at RPC fields ‘true industry experts’, with a particular focus on workplace injuries occurring in the media, leisure and construction industries. Department head Gavin Reese, commended for his ’excellent negotiation skills’, has more than 30 years of experience representing insurance companies and corporate clients in fatal and catastrophic injury disputes. Fiona Hahlo operates in both psychiatric and physical injury claims, including cognitive injuries, while Thom Lumley specialises in amputation cases. Mamata Dutta is a port of call for psychiatric injuries, inquests, and complex polytrauma cases.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘A boutique operator by comparison to some of the giants at work in the insurance sector, but therefore able to provide a very bespoke and personalised service.’
‘Mamata Dutta - a very gritty lawyer who can read risk and often gets early and commercial settlements. Fiona Hahlo - a brilliant lawyer whose case preparation is first class.’
‘Having worked extensively with the PI team at RPC this year on a complicated multi defendant case, Fiona Hahlo stands out in particular. She was incredibly adept at understanding the issues in the case and in dealing with a somewhat uncooperative insured client. She was also an excellent negotiator and achieved a very good commercial result for the client shortly prior to trial.’
‘Well respected full service defendant team. Has the strength and depth to deal with the entire spectrum of litigated cases in this arena – including catastrophic and complex cases.’
‘Gavin Reese holds excellent negotiation skills – always gets favourable results in JSMs and mediations. Well regarded in the insurance sector.’
‘A team combined with true industry experts.’
‘Thom Lumley - a trusted advisor to insurers, large corporates, SMEs and local authorities alike.’
‘Gavin Reese, Mamata Dutta and Fiona Hahlo provide strength in depth and can act across the board from the regulatory aspect of serious injury cases as well as dealing with the civil claims. Equally adept at both.’
Work highlights
- Acted for French cycling organisation and its insurer in connection with the death of a participant in an elite amateur cycle event.
- Acted for an arboricultural company that had carried out a survey of a tree that fell on an individual, causing catastrophic injuries.
- Instructed by the defendant's insurer to investigate a claim and advise on policy coverage and quantum, following a fall from a ladder causing spinal damage.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Gavin Reese