England - Yorkshire And The Humber • Insurance
Mills & Reeve LLP
Mills & Reeve LLP is regularly instructed by major insurers to defend claims, with a particular focus on mandates revolving around legal professionals; the ‘technically very strong’ team is also active in relation to the construction sector, finance professionals, and insurers’ own liabilities, the team being able to draw on the wider firm’s strengths in family, construction, and tax to advise on the liabilities of this diverse client base. Neil Howes heads the Leeds-based practice, with an established track record for defending solicitors and barristers and developing experience in the construction and technology spaces. Liam Burnett and associate Giverny Wroe are likewise recommended.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'In-depth knowledge of the professional negligence practice area. They are able to fight your corner whilst taking a balanced and commercial approach when required. They are quick to understand the issues and technically very strong.'
- 'Neil Howes is technically excellent and able to quickly grasp the issues. He's also good under pressure, able to adapt his style to a particular situation and able to apply a good level of commerciality to a situation.'
- 'It is a very well run team, dedicated to their clients, collaborative and good legal minds.'
- 'Above all, the team is ruthlessly geared to achieving the client's commercial aims in the most cost-efficient way. The advice given is pragmatic and avoids giving prominence to legal issues over the commercial realities of the client's situation. Further, Mills & Reeve places a high emphasis on team work and clients can be sure that they receive a cohesive, joined-up service.'
- 'Liam Burnett is wise beyond his years; he is a tough cookie and exceptional negotiator. His dedication to the client is second to none.'
- 'The team has a wide range of expertise and is able to bring in the most suitable individuals for the particular issue. The people are always friendly, honest and looking to provide solutions, whilst listening to the needs of the customer. Between their team and my team, we collaborate to achieve results which are beneficial to my company.'
- 'They listen and offer advice having taken time to understand what I am looking to achieve. If my desired outcome is not possible, explanations are provided as to why and various options available to me are explained.'
- 'Mills and Reeve are always well prepared, commercial and pragmatic. They fight their client's case with ability and intelligence.'
Key clients
- Travelers
- Pen Underwriting
- Bar Mutual Indemnity Fund
- Markel
- Axis Speciality SE
- WRB Underwriting
- AM Trust
- Tokio Marine HCC
- AIG UK Ltd
- Accredited Insurance (Europe) Ltd
- IGI Insurance
- Manchester Underwriting Management
Lawyers
Rising stars
Leading Individuals
Neil rejoined Mills & Reeve in 2010 and became a partner in 2011. He heads up the Leeds part of the firm’s insurance disputes group which has undergone a rapid rate of expansion over the last three years. Neil specialises in defending professional negligence claims on behalf of insurers and their insureds. He acts for a wide range of professionals including lawyers and professionals in the construction industry. Over the past year, he has acted in connection with a number of high profile, multi-million pound claims. He has extensive experience of claims involving fraud and of both making and defending applications for injunctions (including asset freezing and search and seizure orders).
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Neil Howes