West Midlands

Rankeshwar is a partner and head of the clinical negligence and personal injury department.  He handles a wide variety of complex and substantial value clinical negligence and personal injury cases with a focus on maximum severity/catastrophic injury claims.  He also handles professional negligence cases arising out of personal injury and clinical negligence.

As a partner, he has wider strategic leadership responsibilities and is accredited to the specialist clinical negligence and personal injury panels highlighting his specialism in his area of work.  In addition, he sits as a Deputy District Judge on the Northwest circuit and has had numerous articles and case reports published in a wide variety of medicolegal journals.  He is an executive member of SCIL (Society of Clinical Injury Lawyers) and is at the forefront of discussions with the government regarding policy and practice such as fixed fees, protocols relating to injury litigation and strategy to ensure access to justice for individuals who need it most.

He has been involved in extremely high-value complex claims which have resulted in multi-million-pound awards and has proceeded in cases to the Court of Appeal, testing legal principles and application in his area of work.

Rankeshwar is recognised in the independent legal directories as a leading individual in his sector and has a national reputation.  He is one of the few lawyers within the directories to be given “Hall of Fame” status for both personal injury and clinical negligence.

One independent source from the Chambers and Partners Directory summarises his approach as follows, “Rankeshwar is an exceptional lawyer who has a phenomenal laser-sharp legal mind and is tactically astute.  His intelligence is matched by a tremendous empathy towards his clients and the ability to simplify what might be quite complex legal issues for others.”

Ann is a partner in the personal injury and clinical negligence department.  She is an expert in injury compensation claims for individuals and has a wealth of experience winning multi-million-pound compensation awards for clients.  She is featured in Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 rankings and is known for her organisational skills, attention to detail and empathy towards her clients.  Backed by more than a decade working on catastrophic and brain injury claims, she specialises in birth injury and personal injury claims for children who have sustained catastrophic injuries.   

She is also the firm’s ED&I chair and has been instrumental in ensuring diversity, equality and inclusion is of paramount importance in the life of the firm.   

She is externally recognised as being a dedicated and talented lawyer and an independent quote from Chambers and Partners summarises Ann as “superb with clients and exceptionally able in her approach to cases.”  

Victoria is a senior associate in our personal injury and clinical negligence department.  She has worked on some of the most complex, maximum severity cases and has responsibility for all aspects of clinical negligence and personal injury claims including professional negligence cases.   

She is a well-respected litigator with many years of experience in her field receiving exceptional feedback from her clients.  She is known for her extremely empathetic and courteous nature whilst having an excellent attention to detail.  She has been independently confirmed as “an associate to watch” and a “rising star” in the Legal 500 

Sarah is an associate in the personal injury and clinical negligence team and she represents a wide variety of clients in clinical negligence and personal injury cases.  She also represents individuals who have suffered abuse, either as a child or as a vulnerable adult.  Her cases are complex with the clients requiring emotional support and a great deal of empathy.  She is passionate about helping individuals receive access to justice and is highly respected by both her colleagues and clients alike.   

Nicola is a senior associate in the personal injury and clinical negligence department and has over 17 years of experience dealing with catastrophic injury and fatality claims.  She has secured many high-value settlements for her clients and also deals with historic abuse claims involving the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority system.  She is a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) and is accredited to the Law Society Clinical Negligence Panel.   

Nicola has a reputation for building strong relationships with her clients and is extremely approachable and supportive.  She is independently recognised by Chambers and Partners as a great litigator with independent commentors noting that she “has the perfect blend of technical expertise and exceptional customer service skills to make her a truly exceptional advocate”. 

Sacha is a solicitor in the personal injury and clinical negligence department and represents individuals who have suffered serious injury through an accident or clinical negligence.  She also acts for individuals who have suffered abuse as a child or a vulnerable adult which usually involves the Defendant being a local authority.  She works on complex high-value claims with more senior solicitors but she possesses the ability and technical expertise beyond her years.  She is very passionate that all her clients are able to access recourse and justice for their injuries.   

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.