Firm expands national abuse compensation team
Law firm Switalskis has made five new appointments to its nationally recognised abuse compensation practice, including the appointment of a new director to lead its London-based team.
The award-winning abuse compensation team has appointed Danielle Vincent (pictured, left) as director and solicitor to head its London team. It also welcomes two experienced solicitors, a trainee and a paralegal, to satisfy demand for the firm’s client-focussed work.
Danielle joins with 17 years’ post-qualification experience in personal injury and abuse litigation, having worked across both local and national firms. She will strengthen Switalskis’ national reach in abuse compensation work while leading the development of its London team.
She says: “The abuse team in the south will expand on the strong foundation already established by Switalskis in the north. Abuse claims continue to grow due to heightened awareness. Survivors deserve access to specialist legal expertise wherever they’re based, and expanding our presence allows us to support more people. Our focus will be on ensuring clients receive clear advice and feel supported throughout their case.”
Joining her in London is Hannah Hodgson (pictured, right), who brings eight years’ specialist experience in abuse and inquest claims. She has worked across complex matters involving safeguarding failures, deaths in custody and Article 2 inquests, and previously worked alongside Danielle at a national firm.
In Wakefield, Alison McCormack joins as a solicitor with over 20 years’ experience, having qualified in 2002. She began work in abuse compensation a decade ago after working on historical child abuse cases and has focused on this area of law ever since. Supporting Switalskis’ involvement in the forthcoming grooming gangs inquiry, in which Switalskis is the most prominent legal representatives nationally, is among her key priorities.
Kate Hall also joins the Wakefield office as a solicitor, bringing over eight years’ experience in child abuse compensation claims, qualifying through the SQE apprenticeship route in 2024. She brings experience with a particular focus on exploitation claims. Kate says: “My approach is always client focussed, and I will continue to build trust with survivors and work at their pace. I knew that if I wanted to support claims against exploitation, the only firm that could offer the expertise was Switalskis.”
Paralegal Kayla Rose completes the Wakefield appointments, joining after previously taking part in the firm’s work experience programme.
David Greenwood, director and head of abuse compensation at Switalskis, says: “Our work requires a unique combination of technical capability, compassion and understanding, and a determination to give survivors a voice and strong legal representation. Survivors can find the claims process overwhelming and confusing, and we aim to provide clear, pragmatic advice in the most transparent way possible. These excellent appointments strengthen our Wakefield and London teams and help us continue to maintain high standards as we support more survivors.”
Switalskis’ abuse compensation department comprises 21 specialists based across Yorkshire and London. The team represents survivors of abuse nationwide and is recognised for its work in complex and high-profile cases involving sexual exploitation, institutional abuse and safeguarding failures.
