Hodge Jones & Allen bolster civil liberties team with double hire

Law firm, Hodge Jones & Allen has bolstered its civil liberties team with the hire of two new solicitors specialising in actions against the police.

Saoirse Kerrigan and Joanna Bennett join from Saunders Law and Guile Nicholas Solicitors respectively. Their appointments grow the civil liberties team to 14, including three partners, two associates and five solicitors.

Saoirse has experience representing clients making claims and complaints against the police and claims relating to immigration detention. She has represented vulnerable prisoners in judicial review and human rights claims. As well as legal experience, Saoirse has previously worked in both social care and immigration caseworker roles.

Joanna has experience advising on police complaints and IPCC appeals as well as civil claims. She has also worked in mental health advocacy and before completing her legal training, was a project officer at the Ipswich and Suffolk Council for Racial Equality.

Hodge Jones & Allen’s award winning civil liberties team has a long track record of holding authorities to account and is one of the UK’s pre-eminent law firms in bringing claims against the police. The team also represents clients in Inquests and in actions against the Prison Service, the Ministry of Defence, the Crown Prosecution Service, immigration detention centres and healthcare providers.

Susie Labinjoh, joint head of civil liberties at Hodge Jones & Allen, said: “We are delighted to welcome Saoirse and Joanna to the team. We are currently working on a variety of cases, including acting for political protesters and victims of miscarriages of justice, many of whom have an interest in the ongoing Pitchford Inquiry, and on inquests following deaths in custody. Saoirse and Joanna’s expertise will allow us to continue to take on further important cases that challenge the police and other public authorities.”

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Louise Eckersley, Black Letter Communications on 0203 567 1208, email: louise.eckersley@blackletterpr.co.uk

Kerry Jack, Black Letter Communications on or 0203 567 1208 or 07525 756 599, email: kerry.jack@blackletterpr.co.uk

Notes for Editors

Hodge Jones and Allen

Hodge Jones and Allen employs over 220 staff, based in Euston NW1. The firm’s team of specialists deal with Personal Injury, Medical Negligence, Industrial Disease, Civil Liberties, Criminal Defence, Court of Protection, Dispute Resolution, Employment, Family Law, Military Claims, Serious Fraud, Social Housing, Wills & Probate and Property Disputes.

• Recognised as a Tier 1 firm across a number of disciplines by Chambers UK
• Named as a leading firm by The Legal 500
• Listed as number 137 in the Lawyer UK 200
• Shortlisted for firm/not for profit agency by Legal Aid Lawyer of the Year Awards 2014
• Shortlisted for law firm of the year by Halsbury Legal Awards 2014