header-logo header-logo

11 October 2022
Categories: Movers & Shakers , Profession
printer mail-detail

Simpson Millar—Liam Goggin

Simpson Millar appoints head of abuse law team

Simpson Millar has promoted Liam Goggin to head of abuse law in a move that further bolsters the public law division’s senior management leadership team.

Based out of the firm’s Manchester office, and specialising in child abuse claims against public bodies, including schools, religious or charitable organisations, social services and the police, Liam brings nine years’ experience to the role.

A member of the Association of Child Abuse Lawyers, the promotion sees him officially take on the role of leading the 10-strong national team, having recently acted as interim head of department.

During this time Liam has overseen a large number of procedural and cultural changes within the team, which also handles civil cases against individuals who have been criminally convicted of abuse, including representing clients in group actions, and pursuing Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) claims.

He has also represented clients in a number of high-profile cases against football clubs such as Crewe Alexandra and Manchester City FC, as well as representing clients in the national inquiry in London, and to claim for compensation as part of the Lambeth redress scheme.

Commenting on his promotion, Imogen Jolley, head of public law at Simpson Millar, said he brings with him ‘unrivalled insight’ into complex areas of abuse law, and that his passion for securing justice on behalf of his clients ‘resonated throughout the department’.

She added: 'Liam’s expertise and insight into some of the more complex aspects of bringing a claim against public bodies, and particularly under the CICA, has secured justice on behalf of hundreds of clients.

'Likewise, his passion and dedication for the work that he does has put him front and centre of some of the highest profile abuse cases in recent years, and his passion has truly resonated throughout the team during his time as interim head of department.

'We are therefore delighted to announce his promotion and delighted to welcome him as a permanent member of the senior management team within the public law department.'

Commenting on his new role, Liam said: 'I am proud and privileged to have been named as head of abuse law at Simpson Millar, and to have the opportunity to continue to lead such a talented and dedicated team of legal experts.

'Collectively we are focused on securing access to justice on behalf of clients who have been let down by the very people who should have been there to protect them. This commitment to opening up the law, and to making sure that they are on hand to help anyone in need of legal support, is what makes this role so rewarding.'

MOVERS & SHAKERS

NLJ Career Profile: Ling Ong, London Market FOIL

NLJ Career Profile: Ling Ong, London Market FOIL

Ling Ong, partner at Weightmans and president of London Market FOIL, discusses her biggest inspirations, the challenges of AI and the importance of tackling unconscious bias

DWF—Imogen Francis

DWF—Imogen Francis

Director and head of IP team joins in Birmingham

Penningtons Manches Cooper—five promotions

Penningtons Manches Cooper—five promotions

Firm boosts partnership and costs practice with five senior promotions

NEWS

From blockbuster judgments to procedural shake-ups, the courts are busy reshaping litigation practice. Writing in NLJ this week, Professor Dominic Regan of City Law School hails the Court of Appeal's 'exquisite judgment’ in Mazur restoring the role of supervised non-qualified staff, and highlights a ‘mammoth’ damages ruling likened to War and Peace, alongside guidance on medical reporting fees, where a pragmatic 25% uplift was imposed

Momentum is building behind proposals to restrict children’s access to social media—but the legal and practical challenges are formidable. In NLJ this week, Nick Smallwood of Mills & Reeve examines global moves, including Australia’s under-16 ban and the UK's consultation
Reforms designed to rebalance landlord-tenant relations may instead penalise leaseholders themselves. In this week's NLJ, Mike Somekh of The Freehold Collective warns that the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 risks creating an ‘underclass’ of resident-controlled freehold companies
Timing is everything—and the Court of Appeal has delivered clarity on when proceedings are ‘brought’. In his latest 'Civil way' column for NLJ, Stephen Gold explains that a claim is issued for limitation purposes when the claim form is delivered to the court, even if fees are underpaid
The traditional ‘single, intensive day’ of financial dispute resolution (FDR) may be due for a rethink. Writing in NLJ this week, Rachel Frost-Smith and Lauren Guiler of Birketts propose a ‘split FDR’ model, separating judicial evaluation from negotiation
back-to-top-scroll