Leading Abuse Lawyer Joins the Insurance Team at Forbes Solicitors

One of the UK’s most experienced abuse lawyers, Alastair Gillespie, has joined the Insurance team at Forbes Solicitors.

Alastair has 30 years’ experience covering complex liability cases, often involving high profile and extremely sensitive claims of abuse and neglect. He has advised a range of organisations from point of notification up to the Supreme Court, including major insurers, local authorities, education providers, sporting organisations and charities, as well as fast-growing SMEs and blue-chip companies.

In his role as a partner, Alastair will support the growth of Forbes’ private sector insurance work. He comments: “I was attracted by the well-regarded reputation of the team in which I will be working. I was also very impressed by what I had heard about the firm’s incredibly positive culture and down-to-earth people. For some time, I have wanted to contribute to a law firm in ways that engage my interests, skills and experience. My new role at Forbes provides the ideal opportunity for me to make a positive difference, externally and internally, to the growth of the firm.

“It is fair to say that although so much has been achieved for the benefit of its clients, the Insurance team has maintained a largely public sector-focused market profile, which it is rightly proud. However, our plan is to diversify and use the existing skill base to assist wider markets. I will be advertising and demonstrating the team’s wider capabilities, including my extensive experience in vicarious liability cases, across the firm’s key sectors.

Alastair’s appointment marks another stellar hire for the Insurance team, which recently recruited litigation specialist Jonathan Clay. He has ranked in the renowned Legal 500 Hall of Fame and joined in the newly created role of Business Development Consultant.

Chris Booth, Partner and Head of Insurance at Forbes Solicitors, commented: “We are attracting more and more work from retail, manufacturing, construction, and care businesses. These are sectors that typically employ large workforces, and which engage in many different day-to-day practices and scenarios that can present complicated risks.

“Handling liability claims, and especially matters of abuse and neglect, requires innovative thinking, an open mind and sensitivity. Expanding our team and hiring highly experienced professionals complements and enriches existing skills and encourages foresight of the emerging risks facing businesses. Alastair being onboard will support our continued efforts to provide clients with authentic and exceptional advice that effectively protects their interests.”