Hodge Jones & Allen bolster civil liberties team with partner hire

Law firm Hodge Jones & Allen has grown its civil liberties team with the hire of new partner, Nancy Collins from Irwin Mitchell.

Nancy specialises in bringing actions against state authorities, advising on claims and challenges against the police, the Ministry of Justice and local authorities. Her appointment grows the civil liberties team to 17, including five partners, two associates and six solicitors.

Nancy has over 15 years’ experience in civil liberties. Having qualified at Clifford Chance, she spent time at both Liberty and the Prisoners’ Advice Service, developing expertise in prison law and deaths in custody. She worked at Bhatt Murphy Solicitors for six years before heading up the civil liberties team at Irwin Mitchell.

She has a particular interest in acting for those with learning disabilities who have been caught up in the justice system, those who experience discrimination on the grounds of race, gender or disability, prisoners, and the families of people who have died in police custody, prison or mental health detention. She also has extensive experience of public law, challenging unlawful decisions by public authorities on behalf of campaign groups and political organisations.

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 and prison service. The team also represents clients in inquests and in actions against 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 Nancy to the team. She has extensive experience in prison law, civil claims against detaining authorities, complex inquests and public law challenges. Her expertise will enable us to continue to grow our caseload, taking on cases that challenge the state and hold the prison service, police and other state authorities to account.”

Nancy Collins said: “Hodge Jones & Allen has a leading reputation in civil liberties work and the team has a strong track record for bringing important cases against public authorities. The practice is a good fit with my experience and I am pleased to join the growing team.”

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For further information, please contact:
Kerry Jack or Louise Eckersley at Black Letter Communications
kerry.jack@blacklettercommunications.co.uk or louise.eckersley@blacklettercommunications.co.uk
020 3567 1208

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