SJ Berwin litigation partner found dead

Staff at SJ Berwin are mourning the death of litigation partner Catherine Bailey, whose body was found in the Thames on Saturday.

Bailey had been missing since Friday evening and Hackney Police issued an appeal for information on her whereabouts on Saturday January 10 at 10.30am.

Her body was discovered several hours later in the Thames near Richmond Bridge. Police are not treating the death as suspicious.

Managing partner Ralph Cohen paid tribute to the 41-year-old, who he described as an exceptional lawyer and an integral part of the litigation practice.

He said: “We are deeply shocked and distressed by Catherine’s death. She was hugely popular with her colleagues and her clients and will be much missed by us all. All our thoughts are with her family at this very sad time.”

According to the police appeal released on Saturday morning, Bailey had indicated to her husband that she felt under pressure at work.

Bailey joined SJ Berwin in 1995 and was promoted to partner in 2003. Her family have been informed of the death. She leaves behind a husband and three daughters.