Partner and head of team
Cecily specialises in cerebral palsy, Erbs palsy and maternal birth injury claims, in addition to high value fatal cases. She has a particular expertise in neurological and neurosurgical claims, such as acquired brain injury and cauda equina syndrome. Her team undertakes a wide range of cases, including advising on complaints to professional disciplinary bodies and claims arising from breach of confidence in the patient context. Cecily joined Henmans in October 2000 from Irwin Mitchell in Leeds, and became a partner in 2003. Before training as a lawyer, she was Head of Information & Education Services for Wakefield Health Authority for eight years. This has given her an invaluable insight into the workings of the NHS and the clinical content of her work. Cecily qualified as a solicitor in 1995.
Cecily's significant cases include:
Cecily is a member of the Law Society Clinical Negligence Panel, the AvMA (Action against Medical Accidents) Clinical Negligence Panel, the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) and the Oxford Medico-Legal Society. Cecily has completed the Spinal Injuries Association Advanced Training Course for Personal Injury Lawyers and regularly does pro bono work, conducting seminars for organisations in the advice and patient support sectors, such as Citizens Advice Bureau and ICAS. She is co-author with Elizabeth Ann Gumbel QC of Clinical negligence: a practitioner's handbook which was published by Oxford University Press in October 2007.
Associate
Carolyn has a particular interest in complex brain injury cases, gynaecological claims, children's claims and claims for the elderly. She also has wide experience in fatal accident and oncology cases, particularly the misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis of cancer.
Carolyn trained at Stewarts in London and qualified in 1996. She worked at Stewarts and Portner & Jaskel in London, then Pictons in Milton Keynes. She joined Henmans as an associate in 2009. Carolyn is a member of APIL (the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers).
Associate
Susan handles a wide variety of cases, specialising in fatal claims, orthopaedic and birth injury cases, including Erb’s palsy. She has particular expertise in claims involving several defendants and cases where calculating the value of the claim is particularly complicated.
Susan trained at Henmans and qualified in 2000. She is a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) and the Oxford Medico-Legal Society. She is accredited by the Law Society as a clinical negligence specialist. She undertakes regular pro bono work at Oxford Citizens' Advice Bureau.
Solicitor
Sarah has a particular interest in Erb's palsy cases and in clinical negligence claims that arise out of fatal injuries. She trained at Withy King and qualified in 2007. Sarah joined Henmans in 2008.
Solicitor
Sarah assists Cecily Cameron on a wide range of cases including maximum severity claims arising from injuries at birth and in childhood, fatal claims and cases involving cauda equina syndrome.
Sarah trained at Henmans and qualified in 2009. She is a member of the Oxford Medico-Legal Society and undertakes regular pro-bono work as a volunteer for the Action against Medical Accident (AvMA) helpline.
Our clients also have the benefit of advice on protecting and managing their damages from two specialist practitioners in our private client department:
Consultant
Zandra advises on trusts and probate, Wills and inheritance tax planning. She also deals with the affairs of the elderly and incapacitated, and she is a Court of Protection Panel Deputy. She is regarded as one of the most experienced and expert lawyers in her specialist field and deals with a diverse client base of domestically based and international clients.
Zandra trained in London and qualified in 1972. She joined Henmans in 1990 and became a partner in 1991. Zandra is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and the Law Society Probate Section.
The Chambers directory has ranked Zandra as an expert on private client matters in the region for many years. The Legal 500 Legal Experts directory ranks Zandra among its top experts for private client work outside London.
Associate
Veronica Cowdrey heads the financial management team that handles wills and other financial matters for clients who are themselves disabled or who wish to make the best possible financial arrangements to provide for a family member with a physical or mental disability.
Veronica has particular expertise in assisting with day to day financial management for clients with disabilities, including those who have received damages for personal injuries. Clients with personal injury awards need tailored advice to enable them to maximise the benefit of their funds. This may involve setting up a personal injury trust (sometimes known as ‘special needs’ trust) to prevent loss of state benefits; Veronica can advise on the best form of Trust to meet the client’s individual requirements and also on the appointment of Trustees.
Veronica also acts for clients whose damages are to be managed under the authority of the Court of Protection and is able to handle applications to the Court of Protection and deal with the appointment of a financial Deputy and allied matters, such as the making of a statutory will on behalf of a client who lacks capacity. She handles the preparation and registration of Lasting Powers of Attorney and the management of financial affairs under Enduring Powers of Attorney and Lasting Powers of Attorney.
Veronica qualified in 1979. She trained at Wedlake Bell where she also worked after qualifying. She joined Henmans in 1995 and became an Associate in 2001.
She is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners and is the student liaison officer for the Thames Valley Region.