Ralli People

Joined Ralli:  1979. Became a Partner in July 1982

Admitted as a solicitor: 1981

Professional Qualifications: Solicitor and RYA Yacht master

What do I do at Ralli?

I am responsible for driving forward 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 caseload in 2005, but still act in an advisory capacity on cases litigated by our solicitors. I also generate new business for our corporate department.

What have I done?

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 trauma. 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 2 decades. I also, for many years, answered reader's legal questions in The Manchester Evening News. 

In 2006, I skippered a very large catamaran for 1 week in the Balearics, with 9 inebriated lawyers as crew. I am happy to report that we had a full head count at the end of the week, and did not suffer a man over board ! 

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

What do I like?

Being with my 2 children, of whom I am immensely proud. I love rugby, sport of all kinds, humour, travel, good simple food, and "can do" people, who are able to laugh at themselves.

I have skippered ocean going yachts throughout the world, and enjoyed 55 knots of Atlantic wind( Beaufort Force 10 !)  off Cape Finnisterre in August 2006!

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).