Top 100 law firm
Hugh James has expanded its specialist clinical negligence legal services in
the South of England, with the appointment of partner Gemma Osgood and
associate Eleanor Phipp.
The new hires
will be based at the firm’s Southampton office, located in the landmark 2
Charlotte Place building, joining a well-established, award-winning team of 40
medical negligence specialists representing clients throughout the UK from
Cardiff and London offices.
Gemma (pictured, right) brings 17 years’ experience working with clients across the UK on
all types of clinical negligence claims. She joins Hugh James from Clarke
Willmott, where she made partner in 2022. Originally from the Isle of Wight,
Gemma studied law at University of Southampton before undertaking her Legal
Practitioner’s Course (LPC) at the University of Bournemouth.
Training and qualifying in the south of
England, Gemma has an excellent reputation with her clients and is well
respected by barristers and experts in the region. Gemma is on the Law Society
clinical negligence panel and is a Trustee of Wetwheels Foundation, a charity
which provides the opportunity for all disabled people to access the sea.
Also joining
Hugh James during an exciting period of growth, Eleanor (left) moves from Irwin
Mitchell bringing five years’ experience of representing large loss medical
claims, along with a particular interest in spinal injuries and the delay and
misdiagnosis of cancer cases. She has experience in cases concerning fatal
claims, surgical errors, brain injuries and serious bladder and bowel injuries.
Eleanor is from Southampton and studied at Bournemouth University.
Gemma and
Eleanor’s combined experience and proven track record across all aspects of
medical negligence claims enhances and improves Hugh James’ capacity to support
clients and communities in the South and supports the firm’s growth strategy in
England and Wales.
Hugh James’ head
of clinical negligence, Ruth
Powell (centre), heads up the team awarded The Clinical Negligence team of the year
at the Eclipse Personal Injury Awards for the second consecutive year in 2022.
Ruth commented:
'We are
delighted to welcome Gemma and Eleanor to the team. Gemma’s reputation is based
on excellent results and providing trusted support for clients during difficult
times in their lives, and she’s delivered this in spades in her first couple of
months with Hugh James. Likewise, Eleanor has a great rapport with clients and
is fantastic addition to our team. Between them, I am confident we will
continue to provide an exceptional experience and high quality of work for our
clients in the South and across the UK.'
Speaking of
joining Hugh James, Gemma
Osgood said: 'I am delighted to represent Hugh James in the Southampton
office, alongside our excellent associate Eleanor Phipp. I have a strong
background and passion for representing clients who have been injured due to no
fault of their own. Growing up on the Isle of Wight and training and qualifying
in the South, the region and its people are close to my heart. Additionally, I
represent clients across the UK and am always happy to visit a new client
wherever they may be in the country.'
On her new role
in Southampton, Eleanor commented: 'Hugh James is a top 100 law firm with a
proven reputation of excellence in supporting families through clinical
negligence claims. I am delighted to join the well-established UK team led by
Ruth Powell. My focus will be on understanding, supporting, and getting the
best results for our clients in the South of England, from the 2 Charlotte
Place office in Southampton or at a location that’s best for them.'
