Switalskis Solicitors — England

About

- Switalskis Solicitors > E&W – Huddersfield - Switalskis Solicitors > Bradford - Switalskis Solicitors > Doncaster - Switalskis - Huddersfield - Switalskis Solicitors > Leeds - Switalskis Solicitors > Sheffield - Switalskis - Wakefield - Switalskis Solicitors > York Switalskis provides expert legal advice and representation to individuals and businesses across the Yorkshire region and beyond. Our lawyers offer a comprehensive, highly personal service to clients both locally and nationally. ### The firm Established by Stephen Switalski in 1993, the firm initially had a focus on child care law and criminal law from a single office in Wakefield. Since then, we have expanded to 11 locations, employing more than 390 staff in offices across Yorkshire and London who provide a wide array of specialist legal services. We strive to ensure positive outcomes for every client. The firm offers a wide range of specialist legal services and first-class client care to individuals and businesses in a number of areas of the law. These include abuse claims, brain and spinal injury, child care, clinical negligence, commercial and dispute resolution, commercial property, Court of Protection, crime, family, newbuild conveyancing, personal injury, property development, residential conveyancing and wills and probate. Many of Switalskis directors and solicitors are nationally recognised experts within their field, leading growing teams of highly capable and ambitious lawyers. Organic and acquisitive growth has been fundamental to the current and ongoing commercial success of the firm. Switalskis strives to be a great place to work and was included in The Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2024. ### Types of work undertaken Switalskis clinical negligence team has vast experience and expertise in the area of complex birth injury claims, including cerebral palsy claims. The notably large team also deals with a wide range of claims relating to injuries suffered as a result of medical negligence, including complex neurological claims, orthopaedic claims, oncology claims, psychiatric claims and fatal claims, as well as providing expert representation at inquests. The Personal Injury team help clients to claim for injuries including those suffered at work, on the road, in public places and on holiday in the UK and abroad. Our specialist solicitors work on industrial disease cases, fatal accidents aviation accidents and farm worker accidents. They deal with unusual cases including cow attacks and poisoning. The firm’s brain and spinal injury team specialises in complex brain injury claims, including acting on behalf of clients who are in a minimally conscious state (MCS). The team works closely with clients, their families and those involved in their care with the aim of providing the maximum rehabilitation and support. As a testament to the important and far-reaching nature of the work of Switalskis abuse claims department, the team is regularly instructed to act on behalf of survivors in high-profile cases, including representing victims of the widely reported Rotherham CSE scandal. The team deals with compensation claims relating to child sexual exploitation and abuse against a wide range of organisations and individuals, including local authorities, private care homes and the church. Switalskis’ Court of Protection team is renowned for dealing with complex mental capacity and welfare cases and deprivation of liberty challenges in the Court of Protection, alongside community care challenges. The department has particular expertise in assisting people who are affected by learning disabilities, autism, Alzheimer’s, dementia, mental health issues, acquired brain injuries, behavioural needs and communication difficulties. The firm’s network of respected family law solicitors provide support to clients facing divorce, child custody, adoption and guardianship issues. Members of the team are trained collaborative lawyers who help clients to have an amicable divorce. The team also assists clients who have issues arising from forced marriage. Switalskis commercial property team provides a range of specialist support. From securing business premises to dealing with site issues and negotiating terms, the team works with some of the biggest names on the high street. Other offices: Barnsely, Bradford, Doncaster, Knaresborough, Leeds, London, Pontefract, Sheffield, Wakefield and York. ### Staffing Figures - 34 Number of UK partners - 126 Number of other UK fee-earners

Office locations

Practice areas

Lawyers in this office

Alison Kaye

Director & Solicitor · Court of Protection

Amy Clowrey

Director & Solicitor · Child Abuse Compensation

Charlotte Reeves

Director & Solicitor · Clinical Negligence

Clare Peckett

Director & Solicitor · Family Law

David Greenwood

Director & Solicitor · Child Abuse Compensation

Diane Parker

Partner and head of personal injury – heading a team of 35 fee earners including associate solicitors, assistant solicitors, legal executives, trainees and paralegals. Specialises in personal injury work and employment law, handling a range of matters including employers’ liability and industrial disease. Recently settled two Legionnaires disease claims on behalf of holiday makers under the Package Tour Regulations and an unusual disease claim on behalf of a pet shop worker who contracted Pulmonary Fibrosing Alveolitis as a result of exposure to bird dander. Cited cases include Fox v Cementation Piling Limited [2011] EWCA Civ 790 and Spowart v Nottinghamshire County Council [2006] Lawtel · Personal Injury

Jennifer Heckingbottom

Director & Solicitor Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Director · Family Law

JM

John McQuater

Partner and head of litigation with overall responsibility for the personal injury, clinical negligence and employment teams. Solicitor/advocate with rights of audience in the high courts for civil proceedings. Undertakes complex personal injury and clinical negligence claims. Also provides professional training on a range of legal subjects · Personal Injury

Lisa Swales

Partner · Clinical Negligence

Mark Hollinghurst

Director & Solicitor Joint Head of Personal Injury Head of Brain and Spinal Injury department · Personal Injury

Michael Devlin

Solicitor Advocate · Criminal Law

Richard Starkie

Richard has dealt with almost every type of medical negligence claim. he bulk of his cases concern the following: Brain injuries sustained at birth and shortly thereafter Surgery to the brain and spine Complex orthopaedic surgery, including joint replacement and reconstructive surgery Delays in diagnosing cancer and other serious illness Richard also has considerable experience in medical product liability claims and has led several large group actions. He also conducts a number of professional negligence claims, against other firms of solicitors, concerning the management of clinical negligence and personal injury actions. Richard manages a team of solicitors based in the York office. He is responsible for the screening of the firm's new cases, and also for its reponse to the recent reforms to the recovery of legal costs. Richard’s practice largely consists of the following: Birth injury and neonatal brain injury claims Spinal surgery cases, including cauda equina syndrome claims Complex orthopaedics, including joint replacement, limb reconstruction, bone cancer and amputation cases Cases concerning delays in diagnosing cancer and other serious illnesses Richard led a successful group action of 400+ product liability claims against a multinational orthopaedic device manufacturer, concerning hip replacements He led a successful group action against a French manufacturer of ankle replacements He led a successful clinical negligence group action against a number of surgeons and NHS Trusts concerning the use of mismatched hip replacement devices · Clinical Negligence

Robyn Hawxby

Director & Solicitor · Clinical Negligence

Sarah Tipton-Walker

Director & Solicitor · Clinical Negligence

Suzanne Munroe

Director & Solicitor Head of Clinical Negligence department · Clinical Negligence

Toby Netting

Director, Collaborative Lawyer & Solicitor · Family Law