Management

Joined Ralli:  1979.  I became a Partner in July 1982

Admitted as a solicitor: 1981

Professional Qualifications: Solicitor and RYA Yacht master

My Role at Ralli

I am the Managing Partner with responsibility for the overall management of the practice in financial, strategic and administrative terms. I also head the Personal Injury Department, generating new business, servicing existing lines of business and overseeing the department's growth and adaptation to the ever changing PI environment. I stopped handling a client caseload in 2005, but still act in an advisory capacity on our client's cases litigated by Ralli solicitors. I also generate new business for other departments within Ralli.

My Legal History

I have built with my partners a dynamic law firm which has a strong reputation with an excellent staff and brand. I became articled to my partner Stephen Fox in Bolton during April 1979, and established a new branch office from scratch in 1982. That new practice flourished in size and profitability until in 1990, we made a business decision to centralise all of our 4 offices in Manchester City Centre. During that 8 year period I practised personal injury law and also defended and prosecuted in the criminal courts.

My personal injury practice developed, and I successfully handled many multi million pound damages claims for my clients. These cases involved tetraplegia, brain damage, paraplegia, fatalities, loss of limbs and multiple traumas. I also co-authored a book entitled "Living with Head Injury" which was published in hardback by Manchester University Press.

During 1996, I cycled 400km through Jordan, raising £10,000 for a charity. I lectured for several years on the Manchester Law Society Personal Injury Diploma course. I have similarly lectured to the Manchester Bar on several occasions. I was also heavily involved, with others, in the creation, promotion and growth of Injury Lawyers4U. I have appeared in the press and on the radio and television on numerous occasions in the last 3 decades. I also, for many years, answered reader's legal questions in The Manchester Evening News.

I have skippered ocean going yachts in the Atlantic Ocean, the Indian Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, the Irish Sea and the Mediterranean over the last 20 years. So it's fair to say that I have weathered a few storms at sea and in business.

I have contributed during 3 decades to the success of Ralli.

My Drivers in Life

My home life and my 2 children, of whom I am immensely proud. My colleagues at Ralli, many of whom I treat as loyal personal friends. I am so proud of the people whom I work with and respect their commitment to me and our firm. I love rugby, sport of all kinds, humour, travel, good simple food, and "can do" people, who are able to laugh at themselves, and give to others at the same time. There are "givers" and "takers" in life. My Ralli colleagues are givers and we consequently have a happy firm.

Memberships

The Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL); The American Association for Justice (formerly ATLA); The Spinal Injuries Association (SIA); I have historically supported the Headway charity; I am currently a Trustee of BASIC (the Brain and Spinal Injuries Charity).