Manchester law firm Lanier, Longstaff, Hedar & Roberts LLP has hired former Clyde & Co lawyer, Montse Skyner as a legal director to support its growing business as it continues to work on more group actions, including against talcum powder manufacturers.
The firm, set up last year to target corporate wrongdoing on a large scale, is the first in the UK to target several pharmaceutical companies over the presence of asbestos in talcum powder sold to the mass-consumer market. It now has hundreds of UK-based claimants. The claims include allegations that talc manufacturers breached their duty of care to consumers.
Top American lawyer Mark Lanier is one of the founding partners and previously won a landmark $4.7bn ruling against Johnson & Johnson in the US over claims its talcum powder caused cancer.
The appointment of Montse Skyner bolsters the firm’s Manchester base, with further hires imminent.
Montse qualified with claimant firm Beresfords in 2006 before joining Clyde & Co in 2008, where she spent 12 years, latterly as deputy head of industrial disease and legacy claims in Manchester.
Speaking of her appointment, Montse says: 'I became a solicitor to help people get justice and this is a rare opportunity to help shape the growth of a unique firm doing important work. The founding partners bring exceptional experience, meaning the firm is perfectly positioned to create something very special and deliver real societal good by holding big business to account. I am looking forward to playing my role in shaping the future of the firm.'
Co-founder of Lanier, Longstaff, Heder & Roberts, Tom Longstaff, says: 'Montse brings a compelling mix of claimant, defendant, and law firm management experience, all of which will be incredibly useful to our growth ambitions.
'Since launching in November, we have achieved unparalleled success in many of our claims and we will shortly commence a number of other group actions.'
Lanier, Longstaff, Hedar & Roberts LLP is acting for talc claimants on a ‘no-win, no-fee’ basis. Further information is available at: mytalcclaim.co.uk or via email info@mytalcclaim.co.uk
