ATE talk to the experts

The inquest was fascinating and devastating in equal measure. It was bittersweet to spend the time with the deceased’s loved ones and really appreciate the gravity of the loss they’ve suffered, especially as our claim highlighted a devastating domino of missed opportunities amounting to negligence. Whilst we cannot change the past, it is special to be involved in changing the trajectory of their, or their loved ones, future.

From then on, I could only see myself working in this field and continued developing my passion. I’ve now been qualified almost a year and my passion is ever growing.

What are the biggest challenges that you have faced during your career?

The biggest challenge I’ve faced in my career is likely to be imposter syndrome, which I know is not a struggle I’m alone in. It’s very easy to feel inadequate, or inexperienced, in a role, especially during the early stages of your career. However, years of purposefully placing myself out of my comfort zone have really helped me begin to work through this. Whilst there still are blips, I am starting to trust my ability to adapt, overcome and thrive in the role.

A struggle more specific to clinical negligence would be my empathy and emotion. Once I truly appreciated and understood that negligence does not discriminate and could happen to anyone, including yourself and your loved ones, I found a whole new empathetic perspective to the work. It's important to allow yourself to feel the emotions that come in our case load, but not to be driven by them. It's a hard balance to find, but one I am slowly mastering.

What advice would you give to young women entering this area of law?

The advice I would give to any person, especially a woman, embarking on their legal career is to always back yourself, even in the moments of doubt. If I had listened to imposter syndrome, unsupportive teachers, etc, I wouldn’t be standing here today as a clinical negligence solicitor. Believe that when you put your mind to something, you can do it.

My second biggest advice would be to seek out and take every opportunity you can. Some of my greatest achievements in my career have come from the strangest of places (networking events, chatting to strangers in coffee shops resulting in work experience, etc) so don’t overlook the potential opportunities in all walks of life that can and will contribute to making a successful career.

How do you think women have changed the clinical negligence landscape and will continue to?

In my personal experience, I think women working in the clinical negligence field bring a new level of representation and understanding for clients. There are experiences that only a woman can relate to, so the more female practitioners, I’ve found the more positive an experience for the client.

Can you describe a particular case, experience or moment in which you feel that you were making a difference?

Being in the early stages of my career, I’m only at the outset of many of my own cases. However, I like to feel that I am already making a difference to my client’s lives by ensuring they are seen, heard and understood. I’ve found that sometimes that’s all a client wants; the validation that their experience was wrong, avoidable and that someone is willing to do something about that.

Have you seen evidence of the gender pain gap and what do you think the law can do to address the phenomenon?

Through the eyes of my clients, I have absolutely seen the gender pain gap, especially related to gynaecological and childbirth issues. Just like many, I believe significantly more research needs to be undertaken into female health, along with systematic change to the perspective of women’s health. Too many women are undermined and dismissed when raising their symptoms, causing further difficulties down the line.

What do you think are the most significant challenges facing clinical negligence practitioners?

I haven’t got any pressing significant challenges coming to mind at the moment.

What are the biggest challenges that you've faced during your career?

I am a second-generation state school-educated daughter of immigrant parents, and the first lawyer in my family. I had no connections in the legal industry and remember making hundreds of applications for training contracts and almost wanting to give up law altogether, before I got my break – a real lesson in resilience and believing in yourself.

I am grateful to so many people who have supported me from the sidelines at times when I have wanted to give up and who have got me to partnership at a global firm. I am so pleased that the profession is becoming more accessible and that there are so many different routes into qualifying now, and at the other end of the spectrum, I truly believe that diverse representation and visibility in senior positions matters on so many levels.

What advice would you give to young women entering this area of law?

This is an incredibly rewarding area of law – you really do get to make a difference! The ability to listen, be empathetic and communicate appropriately are essential skills, both when speaking to clients, but also opponents.

Find a mentor and don’t be afraid to ask questions. And my favourite – keep a record of all the good things – things you have done well, praise from supervisors, and lovely emails from clients – they really do help on the difficult days. Some of our cases can take years from start to finish, so it really is a marathon, not a race.

How do you think women have changed the CN landscape and will continue to do so?

I am so privileged to work in an area of law where the majority of practitioners are women – phenomenal, smart and exceptionally talented ones at that! I am pleased to see women supporting women at all levels, openly sharing their lived experiences and challenges, and wanting to make the profession as inclusive and accessible as possible.

There are so many brilliant role models, networking opportunities and webinars addressing so many of the common issues that crop up. In addition, for the general public, seeing an increasingly diverse profession with women from different ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds, can only be a good thing for access to justice.

Can you describe a particular case, experience or moment in which you feel that you were making a difference?

Every single time a case settles, no matter what the settlement figure is!

3 standout cases for me:

Settling my very first CP case which I had run from start to finish on my own for £23M against a very tricky defendant. My client's parents sent me a very touching 3-page email which reflected on our journey from when she was a baby to settlement, over the many years we had worked together, and my client refers to me as her 'fairy godmother'! Her mother is an exceptional baker, and every year I get sent pictures of the most beautiful birthday cakes that she creates, as well as an update on how my client is growing up.

Acting for some of the families of babies affected by contaminated hospital feed, and multiple cases against a single Trust. My first real experience of the power of the media and the platform it can provide, but utterly heartbreaking in the length of time it got for the families to get justice.

Running successful infertility and surrogacy claims, and seeing clients being able to complete their families, including sometimes being sent photos and updates which always puts a smile on my face!  

Have you seen evidence of the gender pain gap and what do you think the law can do to address the phenomenon?

This is a really interesting question, and one which plays out a lot in the maternity cases we see. Over the years, as evidenced by multiple inquiries and reports, there is a disparity in treatment for women during childbirth, with age and race being factors. Through our cases and the work we do, often including working with charities who are also routinely involved, we can continue to raise awareness to minimise this gap.

What advice would you give to young women entering this area of law?

It is a fascinating area of law but also demanding. It takes quite a lot to get a medical negligence case off the ground. Don’t do it simply because it perhaps has a slightly more glamorous reputation to it than some other areas.

How do you think women have changed the clinical negligence landscape and will continue to?

The overwhelming majority of people working in this area are women. It is possible – although this is anecdotal – that the greater degree of cooperation between parties that one now sees in this area is due to that. Also, now that I am in a senior position and my children are grown up, I am aware that for younger women, I am a role model and if I can make their passage through the profession easier - particularly if they are trying to juggle work with a family - then I feel that I have a responsibility to try to do that.

Can you describe a particular case, experience or moment in which you feel that you were making a difference?

There have been many. However, I took a case to the High Court some years ago relating to a delay in diagnosing meningococcal meningitis which left the client blind and partially deaf, although cognitively intact. It was hard fought and finely balanced but we won it. It was a very difficult case which depended much on the facts. Very few cases actually go to the High court so that was a career highlight. The client has remained a friend ever since.

What do you think are the most significant challenges facing clinical negligence practitioners?

There is certainly not going to be any shortage of work. However, it is likely that the market will consolidate into a smaller number of big practices who will dominate. Smaller practices will need to be very smart with their marketing to keep up. It is possible that the government will bring in some form of strict liability which will shrink the market altogether.

What advice would you give to young women entering this area of law?

The advice that I would give to young women entering this area of law is to have faith in your own judgement and abilities. Compared to other specialties, clinical negligence lawyers often have a lot of responsibility and autonomy from an early stage. This can be daunting, but it is a brilliant opportunity. You don't need to be constrained by thinking "I am only a paralegal" or "only a trainee". Your unique way of thinking about a case is valuable.

Can you describe a particular case, experience or moment in which you feel that you were making a difference?

A moment in which I knew that I was making a difference was achieving settlement for a really special client who had a short life expectancy due to a delayed diagnosis of cancer. She was leaving behind a husband and teenage son. As lawyers, the only thing we can get for our clients is money and no amount of money can ever really make up for what has happened. That said, in this case, I knew that the money meant freedom for my client. She could concentrate on spending her final months with her family without worrying about burdening them financially after she was gone. I know that I made a real difference to that family.

Have you seen evidence of the gender pain gap and what do you think the law can do to address the phenomenon?

Personally, I am pleased to say that I have not seen evidence of the gender pay gap in my career. I have always been surrounded by brilliant female role models at the top of their game. I think a lot of this comes down to developing a culture that allows women to continue succeeding and developing their careers even after having children.

When I started my training contract at Fieldfisher (then Waterhouse) back in 1999, I made it known on day 1 that clinical negligence was where I wanted to be. By a stroke of luck - or timing - I was able to spend 18 months of my training contract in their medical negligence team, covering maternity leave and other gaps. It was an extraordinary experience and a real privilege to work under Paul McNeil, who I still affectionately call “the godfather of medical negligence.” His guidance and the work we did cemented for me that I was exactly where I wanted to be.

I have worked in the field ever since qualification and have never looked back!

What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced during your career?

One of the biggest challenges - both early on and still today - has been learning how to say no. By nature, and certainly by profession, I’m someone who wants to help. That instinct is a huge part of what drew me to clinical negligence in the first place: the desire to be there for people at their most difficult moments, to fight their corner, to make something better out of something often deeply traumatic.

But the flip side of that drive is the risk of overextension - of trying to be everything to everyone. That simply isn’t sustainable. Learning to recognise where I can add the most value and having the courage to say no to things that pull focus from what’s mission critical, has been a difficult but vital lesson.

Whether it’s turning down work that doesn’t align with my expertise, delegating when I’d instinctively step in, or protecting time to think strategically rather than reactively, maintaining a laser focus on what really matters - for the client, for the case, and for my team - has taken and continues to take real discipline.

It’s not always easy and I have to regularly remind myself that saying no isn’t about closing doors; it’s about preserving the energy and clarity needed to walk through the right ones with purpose.

What advice would you give to young women entering this area of law?

My message is simple - working in this field is deeply rewarding and intellectually rigorous. However, like all areas of law, it comes with its own challenges - particularly in balancing empathy, assertiveness, and resilience.

1️. Know Your Worth from Day One

Don’t wait to be “invited” to speak or contribute — make your presence known early, professionally and confidently. Advocate for your own development, especially when it comes to getting involved in complex cases, attending conferences or networking.

2️. Develop a Thick Skin Without Losing Your Compassion

Medical negligence work often involves trauma, suffering, and emotions — from clients, opposing lawyers, and others. Learn to set emotional boundaries: care deeply but protect yourself from burnout or vicarious trauma.

3️. Balance Assertiveness and Empathy

Being assertive doesn’t mean being aggressive. You can challenge a medico-legal expert or opposing lawyers calmly and effectively. Your ability to listen and show empathy is a superpower in this area of law. Use it — but don’t let it compromise your objectivity or professional detachment.

4️. Be Prepared for Complexities of Medicine and Law

Medical negligence law demands a strong grasp of medical concepts. Don’t shy away from the science. Invest time in understanding the clinical and expert evidence — it will make you stand out.

5️. Manage Imposter Syndrome Early

Keep a record of wins, positive feedback, and progress. Facts help silence the inner critic.

6. Get Comfortable with Conflict

Litigation is adversarial by nature. You’ll need to hold your ground — in conference calls, mediations or court. Practise being clear, calm and factual — especially when challenged or underestimated.

7️. Use Your Voice to Improve the Profession

Medical negligence law is deeply tied to ethics, access to justice, and systemic reform. Your perspective matters. Advocate for better client care, inclusive workplaces, or mental health awareness — start small, but speak up.

8. Learn the Business Side of Law Early

Don’t just focus on the law. Understand case management, billable hours, business development, and risk assessment. Lawyers often reach a plateau because no one taught them the business — make sure you learn it.

9️. Seek Out Mentors (But Learn from Everyone)

Role models can provide deep insight into understanding the complexities of the law-medicine interface, case strategy and judgement, and client management. Mentors can help you grow faster, safer and with more purpose. The key is learning from those who respect your growth.

10. Back Yourself — Always

If you're in the room, you’re qualified to be there. Don’t apologise for ambition, intelligence, or high standards.

Can you describe a particular case, moment or experience in which you feel that you were making a difference?

There are some cases that stay with you - not because of the legal challenge, but because of the human story at their heart. I’ve acted for clients whose resilience in the face of unimaginable circumstances has been a reminder of why this work matters.

One case that stands out involved a young Muslim woman who had been subjected to a forced marriage abroad. She was imprisoned and eventually escaped, returning to the UK with nothing but a fierce determination never to be dependent on anyone again. She worked two jobs just to build her independence. Tragically, she later developed visual impairments and a mild brain injury due to a delayed diagnosis of bowel TB, which then spread to her brain.

It was a difficult case - legally, emotionally, and culturally. Her disabilities had to be hidden from her community. Securing a settlement that gave her financial independence - and crucially, the freedom to make her own choices about her future - was one of the most meaningful moments of my career. It felt like we had helped protect her from being forced back into a situation where she had no voice.

Another moment I’ll never forget came after securing a liability agreement for a child with an acquired brain injury sustained during birth. His needs were so complex that he had to be housed in a care facility, hours away from home. Every weekend, his family made the journey to be with him. When the liability agreement was finally reached, the parents hugged me and said, “We can bring our child home again.”

That’s what this work is about.

What do you think are the most significant challenges facing clinical negligence practitioners?

Resilience is key in this field. We work with people who are often at their most vulnerable - clients who have experienced trauma, loss, or life-changing injury. The emotional intensity of the work demands a lot from us, both professionally and personally. Layered on top of that is a legal and regulatory landscape that is constantly shifting, with ongoing political scrutiny, funding pressures, reform proposals that can feel like a moving target and a wider narrative that can sometimes feel hostile to the work we do.

We are under pressure from all sides - all of the time. There are increasing demands to do more with less, to move faster, to navigate procedural complexity while never losing sight of the human being at the heart of every case. It takes a huge amount of emotional and mental resilience to hold all of that - to be an advocate, a problem-solver, a listener, and a strategist - often all at once.

For me, one of the biggest challenges is staying grounded amidst all of this noise. Working with brilliant, supportive colleagues, staying connected to the “why” behind the work, and accepting that you can’t do everything, all the time is essential - because while the pressures are real and constant, so too is the opportunity to make a genuine difference in people’s lives - and that, ultimately, is what keeps us going.

Thereafter, the challenge remains to climb that career ladder. I am quite impatient and like to see results quite quickly. Clinical negligence has taught me to be patient as things take time, cases take time to settle, investigations depend on other people reporting to you etc. I am still challenged by that, but motivation is key, so I just keep going.

What advice would you give to young women entering this area of law?

I remember that being at university, we were quickly advised that law is quite a lonely area that focuses on individual progression rather than teamwork. I have noticed that specifically with clinicial negligence too. I have been very lucky to work with amazing people, but it is not an area of law where you will be asked to build teams. Things you will be concerned about will be your own billable hours, your own target, your own achievements, your own settled cases. And so, while you will most likely have amazing people that will support you, including junior staff, it can feel lonely when you are trying to achieve all those goals, so do not forget to fight for yourself when needed.

How do you think women have changed the clinical negligence landscape and will continue to?

To start with, I am proud to have noticed that there are more and more women that take up the leading roles in clinical negligence, which makes me very proud. I think this area of law, that requires one to have a lot of empathy, should definitely include women. I think this is exactly what women have done over the years, they have made empathy look fashionable. I feel encouraged to fight for my clients and not afraid to look crazy, needy or emotional by doing that.

Can you describe a particular case, experience or moment in which you feel that you were making a difference?

I am not sure it is possible to pick one case only. The reason I like clinical negligence so much is because I feel that we are helping people. However, sometimes I feel that our hands are tied, and I wish I could do more. I personally think that cases relating to deceased people are slightly undervalued and underappreciated. I do not think that the laws are most generous for the same either. I know that you cannot bring their loved one back, but I will always try to at least get the family that extra money to show that someone cares. Money matters, particularly in the sense that if they see that the defendant is willing to pay more, they feel that they will be less likely to repeat the same mistake with someone else, which often is one of the family’s goals. Therefore, if I can be a person that the family trusts in those difficult situations and they feel happy about the results, I will be very happy thinking that I might be making a difference in their lives.

Have you seen evidence of the gender pain gap and what do you think the law can do to address the phenomenon?

I have seen some evidence that some of my female clients experience prolonged delays in having their diagnosis reached due to their complaints not being taken too seriously. I would say that this specifically relates to gynecological issues. Giving opportunity for these women to tell their story and fighting for their cases will hopefully raise awareness around that. And hopefully it will not only raise awareness between medical professionals to take comments relating to pain more seriously but will encourage women to fight for themselves more too. One of the traits that women have is to dismiss their symptoms as not serious enough. Hopefully hearing about other women will encourage them too.

What do you think are the most significant challenges facing clinical negligence practitioners? Time, money and networking are always a challenge in clinical negligence. Everything takes time to be investigated and require lots of work to be put in. This might become an issue once we see more cases being caught under fixed recoverable costs. It might be time to mention that I have found time to research the subject matter and co-wrote a book on the same called ‘Practical Guide to Fixed Recoverable Costs in Clinical Negligence’. Time is money, and I feel that another challenge is to find that extra time to network to make those connections to advertise yourself and your firm, as well as find suitable experts or counsel to instruct etc. And of course, this is all because we are challenged to meet our billing targets that have been impacted over the years and might be more impacted due to fixed costs. I am yet to figure out how to manage everything, however, this is just one of the puzzle pieces of the amazing clinical negligence.