East Midlands

A leader in her field, Susan is head of the Firm’s Serious Injury Team and assists with management of the Personal Injury Department. Having worked in the field of serious, complex and catastrophic injuries for over 30 years, Susan is renowned for her approach and expertise in this area. In particular, she has extensive experience of acting for children of all ages claimants who have suffered traumatic brain injury. 
 
Renowned for her empathetic approach, Susan provides ongoing support for her seriously injured clients children and their families and is focused on ensuring the successful outcome of every claim to assist in the funding of any long term care arrangements that may be required. 

Tim is an accomplished personal injury and clinical negligence lawyer, having specialised in this field for over 25 years. Tim is Head of the Personal Injury Department and leads the Firm’s Clinical Negligence Team, in addition to managing other high value and complex personal injury multi track cases, often involving head and spinal injuries and cases of amputation.

Tim has secured several substantial claims for seriously injured claimants during recent years and is experienced in successfully dealing with the often difficult challenges that arise during the claims process, including the recovery of damages for care and the provision of statutory care services.

Tim is recognised by the Law Society’s Clinical Negligence Accreditation Scheme as a specialist Clinical Negligence solicitor.

Ben Priestley is a highly regarded solicitor with over 20 years of experience handling some of the firm’s most complex and high-value cases. He represents adults and children in serious injury cases, including brain and spinal cord injuries, amputations, cerebral palsy, and fatal accidents. Ben’s primary focus is on ensuring his clients receive the best possible rehabilitation and practical support, alongside securing the most favourable outcomes in their claims. 

Ben frequently achieves multi-million-pound settlements, often involving lump sums combined with lifelong annual payments. His dedication and expertise have earned him widespread recognition, including being named in the Legal 500’s ‘Hall of Fame’ and as a ‘Leading Individual.’  

Clients and industry peers consistently praise Ben’s compassionate approach, sharp litigation skills, and meticulous attention to detail. Described as “a distinguished advocate for seriously injured clients” and “the stand-out solicitor in this field” Ben’s combination of empathy and tenacity makes him a trusted advisor and champion for those navigating life after catastrophic injuries.  

Julia Eyton is a nationally recognised solicitor with extensive experience in catastrophic personal injury law, having practiced since 1996. As the leader of the platinum serious injury team at Serious Injury Law, Julia is known for her formidable legal skills and dedication to achieving life-changing outcomes for her clients. She specializes in complex cases involving catastrophic spinal and brain injuries, amputations, brachial plexus injuries, and fatal accidents. 

Throughout her career, Julia has secured many multi-million-pound settlements, including nearly £25 million in damages in 2023-2024. She has a close working relationship with the Court of Protection team to ensure her clients receive comprehensive long-term support. Her ability to help clients rebuild their lives has earned her widespread respect across the industry. 

Julia’s accolades include winning the “Outstanding Case of the Year” award in 2012 for a complex spinal cord injury case. Chambers & Partners praised her as “an angel among us,” and clients consistently highlight her empathy, professionalism, and clear communication. Legal 500 describes her as “unbelievably knowledgeable.” Julia’s dedication to her clients and technical expertise make her a trusted authority in catastrophic injury cases and a compassionate advocate for families facing life-changing circumstances

Gillian Lakes is a highly experienced personal injury solicitor with over two decades of experience, having qualified in 1999. As Head of Serious Injury, she specialises in representing clients who have sustained catastrophic injuries, including brain and spinal injuries, amputations, and chronic pain. Her casework includes incidents arising from road traffic accidents, workplace injuries, and military service. 

Passionate about achieving the best outcomes for her clients, Gillian is dedicated to supporting them through their rehabilitation and helping them rebuild their lives after life-changing incidents. She takes pride in securing significant settlements and early access to rehabilitation to promote optimal recovery for her clients. 

In addition to her client work, Gillian is deeply committed to mentoring her team, helping them achieve their goals and excel in their careers. 

Clients consistently commend Gillian for her professionalism, compassion, and dedication. One client said, “Gillian Lakes and her team were highly professional and diligent, whilst providing a genuine, caring and supportive service throughout the entire process to the conclusion of our case, with an amazing result.” Another remarked on her hard work over four years, stating, “I couldn’t have asked for any more.” 

With her extensive experience, unwavering dedication, and a client-focused approach, Gillian has built a reputation as a trusted and compassionate legal advisor in the field of catastrophic personal injury law. 

Sharon Long is a highly experienced personal injury solicitor with over 25 years of experience exclusively representing claimants, she has developed expertise in major trauma cases, including polytrauma, amputations, brain injuries, and chronic pain, for both adults and children. 

Sharon is renowned for her empathetic and compassionate approach. She takes a holistic view of her clients’ needs, focusing not only on maximizing compensation but also on securing early rehabilitation and financial support to aid recovery and long-term well-being. 

Her ability to deliver clear, accessible legal advice is a hallmark of her practice, ensuring that clients feel fully supported and informed throughout their journey. 

Sharon’s dedication and client-first approach make her a trusted and effective advisor for individuals and families navigating life after serious injury.