Russell Jones & Walker: More to the core

Tuesday, April 8th, 2008, 12.15
Russell Jones & Walker: More to the core

The Russell Jones & Walker (RJW) new quintet of partners has added growth to the firm’s core areas of personal injury, clinical negligence and private client. No surprise there then.

But one interesting development is that James Bell, who has only been at RJW for a year as a senior associate before being made up, is to head a new clinical negligence team in London.

The father of two from north London tells The Lawyer the firm’s clinical negligence has been growing at a rapid rate.

“We’ve been acting for the unions and have many more clients coming through Claims Direct so we’re providing nationwide coverage,” says Bell.

Bell, an avid off-road cyclist, will be the only partner in the London team for now. Associate Tracey Benson will be the group’s second lawyer, and fellow associate Paul Sankey is coming down from Bristol to join the group to round off the trio.

Bells adds the level of work coming in means that the team won’t stay this size for long.

“We’re looking to have a four-strong team by September,” he said.

It is clear that the growth area for RJW is through Claims Direct as the firm’s relationships with the unions were solidified long ago.

RJW relaunched the near moribund Claims Direct last year, and the need to start restructuring is a sure sign the clients are rolling.

Expect more growth in this firm’s core areas.

Partnership forecast:

Clinical negligence: Hot
Personal Injury: Hot
Private Client: Sunny
Crime: Cloudy with showers
London: Sunny with occasional clouds

Previous Partnership 2008 blogs.

Slaughter and May: ladies, long hours and longevity - Thursday, April 10th
Russell Jones & Walker: More to the core - Tuesday, April 8th
A&O in the Middle East: one new partner, back-up on the way - Monday, April 7th
Clifford Chance: Popham puts his money where his mouth is - Monday, April 7th
Nabarro, Hunton & Hosseini - Friday, April 4th
Addleshaws: managing associates - Friday, April 4th
Nabarro promotions down (under) - Thursday, April 3rd
Hunton & Williams: The London eye - Thursday, April 3rd
The corporate partnership: Superwomen only? - Wednesday, April 2nd
Ashurst promotions: expectation management - Wednesday, April 2nd
Pinsents' Leeds' ladies take the lead - Monday, March 31st
Herbies...continued... - Thursday, March 27th
Herbies shakes things up - Thursday, March 27th
Macfarlanes predicts a good year - Thursday, March 26th
Burges Salmon talks the talk - Wednesday, March 26thTrowers promotions dwindle - Tuesday, March 25th
Wragges' ups the firm's real estate profile - Thursday, March 20th
Olswang's year of change - Thursday, March 20th
Camerons goes East - Wednesday, March 19th
Ince & Co: happy days for men in boats - Tuesday, March 18th
Freshfields refills partnership - Monday, March 17th