Russell-Cooke LLP

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

• ‘Eva Akins and Lenka Wall are both absolutely fabulous - they prepare very thoroughly, they're wonderful with clients, their written advocacy is excellent, and they give spot-on legal advice.’

• ‘The Education Team at Russell Cooke have a real expertise in providing technical and practical advice to preserve a child's right to an education and educational support. They are not afraid to pursue any remedy which you might be seeking on behalf of your child.’

• ‘Lenka Wall is highly committed, has a great grasp of nuanced facts, and is a pleasure to deal with.’

• ‘Highly knowledgeable and empathetic to our needs. They do a really great job.’

• ‘Eva Akins is remarkable in her skills of forward-thinking, leaving no stone unturned and being prepared for every eventually. I am blown away by her genuine care, empathy and compassion, and her ability to balance this with her exceptional knowledge of the law to achieve great effect. Lenka Wall also displays astounding knowledge and understanding of the law, continuing the Russell-Cooke standards of exceptionally high client care.’

• ‘Very knowledgeable team with vast experience in matters of family law.’

• ‘The team has an extensive knowledge of the area but can also combine that with a pragmatic and practical approach.’

• ‘Eva Akins is a stand-out partner, an exceptional lawyer and counsel. She has very extensive experience in education law, including special education and disabilities support. She understands the nuances of the educational system and always provides pragmatic and holistic advice, with candour and a focus on ensuring her clients achieve the best outcomes. I particularly appreciate her willingness to boldly challenge opponents and seek practical solutions to complex issues. She also leads her team effectively so that clients experience consistency in the level of support and professionalism in her absence. Eva is a real pleasure to work with.’

Lawyers

Next Generation Partners

Eva Akins

Russell-Cooke LLP

Eva is a partner and Head of Education Law at Russell-Cooke. She is an expert in cases involving special educational needs and disability (SEND), Equality Act claims, admissions, exclusions, complaints and school governance in the independent and maintained sector. Identified as a leader in the field, Eva has specialist knowledge in neurodevelopmental conditions such as ADHD, autism, cerebral palsy, dyslexia and dyspraxia. She has a particular interest in cases involving ‘dual exceptionality’. It is Eva's personal experience of SEND and exclusion that fuels her passion for this area of law and informs her empathetic style of client care. Eva believes that the problem with trying to fit a ‘square peg’ child into the round hole of an education system is not that the hammering is hard work; rather you risk destroying the peg! Eva’s role is focused on squaring the circle and making the education system more fit for purpose.  Where school is not appropriate, she secures comprehensive highly individualised education otherwise than at school.