Gordon Sewell - Sewell Law
Gordon Sewell is the Founding Director of Sewell Law. Prior to studying law, he worked at an industrial bakery in Hull for around 5 years. Following his law degree at the University of Hull, Gordon passed his bar examinations and was called to the bar in 2005. Starting his legal career as a paralegal, Gordon initially worked for a local firm in Hull specialising in claims for industrial disease, in particular, noise induced hearing loss as well as hand arm vibration syndrome. In 2008, Gordon was admitted to the roll of solicitors, and joined a large commercial law firm in the shipping and transport team. His role included the defence of claims by passengers and crew, including defending claims relating to the historical exposure to asbestos resulting in Mesothelioma. It is common for a ship owner to be prosecuted by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (“MCA”) following a serious incident or a casualty. A vessel can also be detained when an unacceptable risk of injury has been identified by the marine surveyors. Gordon’s caseload included the defence of cases brought by the MCA and by 2017, Gordon had also prosecuted for the MCA enabling him to see first hand how regulatory authority’s approach and pursue cases. More generally, during his career, Gordon has developed a strong practice across all areas of commercial litigation resulting in Gordon’s desire to set up Sewell Law in April 2021. Sewell Law is a niche law firm which focuses on regulatory defence, civil litigation and advice.
A recent client review on Google described the solicitors at Sewell Law as being “totally professional, insightful and experienced. There is nobody else I would rather have in my corner”.
Jennifer Sewell - Sewell Law
Jennifer Sewell is a Director and Solicitor at Sewell Law. As a niche litigation practice, Sewell Law specialises in regulatory defence and commercial litigation working with businesses and individuals involved in a variety of disputes. The firm provides around the clock practical support and advice to companies and individuals who have found themselves in the aftermath of an incident, facing investigation or being prosecuted by a regulatory body or enforcement authority. Since qualification as a solicitor in 2007, Jennifer worked in a busy commercial litigation team. She is an experienced defence solicitor who has worked on cases involving multiple fatalities, various life changing injuries and exposure to hazardous substances. Jennifer understands the stress, lost sleep and reputational damage that can be caused as a result of a prosecution by the Health & Safety Executive (“HSE”). Previously identified by the UK Legal 500 as being very commercially aware and willing to go the extra mile, Jennifer brings a practical and proactive approach to her cases which sees her strive to achieve the best possible outcome for her clients.
Emma Wilkinson - PCR Global Ltd
Emma is an energetic and enthusiastic individual whose core values are service, collaboration and authenticity.
Most recently, Emma worked as HM Inspector of Health and Safety at the Health and Safety Executive. Emma was based in the Building Safety and Construction Division, and became very familiar with the regulations and guidance applicable to the workplace, focussing mainly on the construction industry.
Emma has undertaken numerous investigations including a fatal fall from height, exposure to asbestos, and a collapsed mast climbing work platform. Emma is familiar with a variety of accident/incident investigation methods including safety cases and techniques such as fault tree analysis, failure modes and effects analysis and system methods such as STAMP.
Liz Darlison MBE - Mesothelioma UK
Liz has enjoyed over 40 years of clinical practice at the University Hospitals of Leicester (UHL). After brief spells in vascular surgery and coronary care Liz spent a decade in UHL’s very research active respiratory unit. This led to an interest in service developments, research and lung cancer which became the focus for the last 24 years of her clinical practice. In response to patient need in 2004, Liz established Mesothelioma UK, a national charity for mesothelioma.
Currently she is a Consultant Nurse at UHL and is also CEO at Mesothelioma UK. Liz has Honorary university positions in both Leicester and Sheffield, is very research active, keenly promotes nursing as a career and engages in education and training on many levels.
Liz is a founder member of the International Thoracic Oncology Nurses Forum, a past chair, and now lifetime honorary member, of Lung Cancer Nursing UK, a long serving previous board member of The British Thoracic Oncology Group and a current, first nurse member of the International Mesothelioma Interest Group board.
In the 2019 Queen Elizabeth’s Birthday honours list, Liz was invited to become a Member of the British Empire (MBE) in recognition of her services to patients and cancer research and in May 2024 she was appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant for Leicestershire.