Irwin Mitchell stands out for its experienced team and success in complex, high-profile matters. Sion Kingston heads up the Leeds team, while Adrian Budgen leads the serious injury team in Sheffield; Kingston specialises in serious injury claims, while Budgen leads the firm’s national asbestos and occupational disease practice. Rachael Aram, Louise Jenkins and Carolyn Heaton focus on brain and spinal cord injuries, with Heaton leading the neurotrauma team. Ian Toft is adept at handling workplace illness claims, particularly issues involving occupation-related cancers. Claire Newstead manages the polytrauma team, covering employer’s liability, road traffic, and public liability cases. David Johnston-Keay specialises in occupational lung disease claims, and David Withers is noted for his trial success in serious injury cases. The team is bolstered by its strong team of specialist personal injury associates, of which Claire Pilsworth, Darren Wilson, Kate Venn and Sarah Brumpton are of note.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Ian Toft is experienced and effective. He goes the extra mile.’

  • ‘Our son had a brain injury, Irwin Mitchell put together a specialist team with detailed aftercare and rehabilitation services. This was more important to us than the case, but they managed the case in the background very much to our satisfaction.’

  • ‘The team at Irwin Mitchell have a vast wealth of knowledge and experience to call upon. While my main interaction has been in relation to a personal injury claim, there have been occasions where it has been necessary to refer to other departments and specialities, and this has been seamless with the expertise readily at hand, which may not have been possible in other practices.'

  • 'In relation to our personal injury claim, the team are very knowledgeable and has obviously dealt with many cases previously; however, we received a very personalised service and never felt like we were part of a production line.’
  • ‘The practice is clearly successful as a product of the individuals who work there. All are professional, knowledgeable, and, above all, reassuring. There has never been any presumption that we are familiar with legal processes and workings, and all conversations have been on a suitable level, ensuring we have been fully informed without jargon and legal speak.'

  • 'Kate Venn has been outstanding at building a relationship to ensure the whole experience has been as pleasant and straightforward as possible. She is the perfect combination of a professional providing the most amazing service. I would have no hesitation in recommending her to anyone else needing the service of a personal injury solicitor.’
  • ‘Combines the strength of a national organisation with the personal touch, care and attention that individual claimants need. No nonsense approach: robust when dealing with opponents, and proactive in guiding the claim to the best outcome.’

  • 'Kate Venn and Claire Pilsworth are both fantastic associates. I have done very difficult spinal and traumatic brain injury cases with both of them. Both are rising stars.’

Lawyers

Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Sion Kingston, Adrian Budgen

Other key lawyers

Louise Jenkins, Rachael Aram, Carolyn Heaton, Ian Toft, Claire Newstead, David Johnston-Keay, David Withers, Hema Rana, Oliver Collett, Claire Pilsworth, Darren Wilson, Kate Venn, Sarah Brumpton