National law firm Weightmans has welcomed Orla Scanlan to its growing police team.
Previously head of the national police team and the Misfeasance Practice Group lead at BLM (now Clyde & Co), Orla (pictured, right) represents police forces and their insurers across the UK. She joins Weightmans London office but will work across the UK. She is joined by Nicola Howlett (left), solicitor and expert in defending civil actions against police forces who has also joined the firm from Clyde & Co.
Orla is a nationally recognised specialist lawyer in this sector with over 25 years’ experience and an in-depth knowledge of the requirements, pressures and concerns surrounding police forces and their insurers and is known to many forces nationally for her work in complex and sensitive cases, including some involving terrorism and other issues of national security.
She has been a Band 1 Lawyer in Chambers & Partners’ Directory in 'Police law—mainly defendant' for over a decade. Clients have said: 'Orla deals with complex cases with ease; she is diligent, pragmatic, knowledgeable and a robust negotiator.. she is definitely the best solicitor in private practice and police cases.'
Orla said: 'I am thrilled to be joining Weightmans—the firm boasts a first-class police team that recognises the challenges and pressures that forces face and works closely with them on innovative and cost-effective solutions. I look forward to working with the team and assisting my colleagues in expanding our already extensive police practice.'
Martin Forshaw, partner at Weightmans, said: 'Orla is an extremely talented lawyer, a go-to practitioner in complex, high value claims, many with national media interest. She has a breadth of experience in advising police forces and is a valuable addition to our team.'
