New group litigation law firm launches
In October 2022, Lanier, Longstaff, Hedar & Roberts launched in Manchester. As a group litigation law firm, we will target corporate wrongdoing that has harmed people on a large scale.
The UK is a rapidly developing market for group litigation. That means in recent years it has become easier to bring cases on behalf of groups of people in the UK who have been harmed by large corporations. The Law Gazette recently stated that the UK is a ‘destination of choice’ for mass actions.
The injustices that we’ve seen in the US have affected people in the UK too. So, we want to provide the same representation. The misuse of power is not just an American phenomenon.
Who are the team at the new group litigation law firm?
English barristers Tom Longstaff and Duncan Hedar have joined forces with leading US civil trial lawyer Mark Lanier, and Kevin Roberts.
We will draw on the experience and success of Mark – founder of the Texas-based The Lanier Law Firm – to bring group legal actions against companies in areas where UK lawyers have often struggled.
Among Mark’s successful verdicts in the US are:
- $9bn award in respect of pharmaceutical companies concealing cancer risks associated with the diabetes drug Actos
- $1.5bn relating to metal-on-metal hip implants
- $4.7bn for 22 women and their families who alleged that decades of use of asbestos-laden talcum powder products caused their ovarian cancer.
He’s also leading a claim brought by 16 states in the US against Google relating to anti-competitive practices.
Mark has created one of the leading claimant law firms in America. He’s had huge success in court and received countless accolades for his work. The knowledge that he’s gained about the market, how to structure and grow this type of firm, and the business processes needed to bring these cases successfully, is invaluable.
Kevin has over 20 years of experience in managing all aspects of law firm operations and has an extensive network of contacts and relationships essential to the effective management of a group litigation law firm.
Tom and Duncan, met as trainee solicitors and worked alongside each other at Magic Circle firm, Linklaters in London, before being called to the Bar. They both have substantial experience in group litigation claims.
Together, through this unique collaboration, our 4 partners are a formidable force in group litigation.
Our firm is an alternative business structure licensed by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.
Where’s the group litigation law firm based?
We’re based in Manchester but represent people across the UK, holding companies accountable for wrongdoing which has affected large groups of people across through no fault of their own.
Tom and Duncan both have links to the North of England and see Manchester as the main legal hub outside of London. This created an opportunity for us to be one of the largest dedicated group litigation firms in the North.
The UK Supreme Court will also sit in Manchester in 2023. This is the first time a Supreme Court has been outside of a capital city.
The thriving Manchester legal community, with huge amounts of legal talent, supported by an excellent court network, provides the perfect environment for claimants to bring their claims, and lawyers to thrive. We plan to expand the team over the next year with opportunities for lawyers in the North of England who want to work on group litigation without having to move to London.
What’s the group litigation law firm focused on?
Through this unique collaboration, we will explore whether cases that have been brought successfully in the US can be replicated here. We expect that many can be, meaning companies will no longer be able to escape responsibility for their actions.
Many law firms have avoided certain types of cases, such as product liability and pharmaceuticals, because they require significant knowledge and resources to run. Lanier, Longstaff, Hedar & Roberts, with its collaboration of leading English and US lawyers, has both.
We’ll be focusing on the following areas:
- Business and competition litigation
- Defective equipment claims
- Environmental claims
- Financial mis-selling claims
- Pharmaceutical liability
- Vehicle emissions
Find out more about our current claims.
Has the launch been covered in the media?
Since we launched, we’ve received significant press coverage in:
- The Law Gazette
- Legal Futures
- The Global Legal Post
- Commercial Dispute Resolution
- ALM
- Legal Business Magazine
- Reuters
- Bloomberg Law
- The Business Desk
Visit our claims to find out more, or alternatively contact us and one of our experts will be in touch.