Russell-Cooke
UK Guide 2025
About
Chair: John Gould
Senior Partner: Jonathan Thornton
Managing Partner: James Carroll
Number of partners: 63
Other fee-earners: 109
Main Areas of Practice
Charity & Social Business: 8%
Corporate, Commercial & Employment: 10%
Family, Children & Education: 14%
Litigation: 18%
Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence: 6%
Property: 25%
Regulation: 5%
Wills, Trusts, Probate & Tax: 14%
Contacts:
Senior Partner: Jonathan Thornton
Managing Partners: James Carroll
Administrative Law & Solicitors: Michael Stacey
Charities & Social Business: Andrew Studd
Child Abduction: Fiona Read
Children Law: Samantha Little
Commercial & Construction Litigation/ADR: Mark Fletcher
Corporate & Commercial: Jonathan Thornton
Conveyancing: Donall Murphy
Construction: Pippa Beesley
Criminal Litigation & Fraud: Jae Carwardine
Cross-border Estates: Andrew Godfrey
Employment: Anthony Sakrouge
Education: Eva Akins
Immigration: Edward Wanambwa
Insolvency: Simon Jerrum
Family: James Carroll
Family Mediation: James Carroll
French Law: Christopher Salomons
Personal Injury & Medical Negligence: Janice Gardner
Property Litigation: Paul Greatholder
Professional Regulation: Michael Stacey
Real Estate: Matt Garrod
Sports: Matt Bosworth
Tax: Conor Brindley
Trusts: James Cook
Trusts & Estate Disputes: Alison Regan
Startups: Guy Wilmot
Russell-Cooke is a leading London law firm comprised of highly regarded specialists across a vast breadth of expertise. Its mix of commercial, private and public sector clients reflects the complex legal needs of contemporary London. The firm’s legal experts are leaders in their fields in areas as diverse as commercial property, professional regulation, crime and children law.
Russell-Cooke is an unusually broad-based practice spanning commercial and private client, civil and criminal, contentious and advisory work.
The firm’s large real estate team has a wealth of experience including in investment and development, in sectors from hotels and leisure to logistics and retail. Its specialist planning and construction lawyers and its highly regarded property disputes team complement its capabilities in this space.
Russell-Cooke offers a full range of services for private clients including highly regarded children, family, wills and probate, employment, clinical negligence, personal injury and criminal litigation services. Private clients also benefit from the firm’s specialist expertise in probate disputes, French law, tax and cross-border estates.
The charity and social business team is among the top legal teams in the sector and has an impressive roster of clients. The team covers the full spectrum of issues from governance and commercial to property, employment and disputes.
The Russell-Cooke family office team is made up of recognised experts from a range of legal disciplines, enabling them to help with an unusually broad mix of issues. Whether it be regarding family interests and assets, Wills, pre-nuptial agreements, the family business or property portfolios, the team provides clear, practical advice to help high net worth families.
The specialist corporate and commercial team handles the whole range of contentious, non-contentious and transactional work, with a recent focus on supporting startups from inception through funding rounds to onward growth and/or sale.
Clients:
The firm has built an outstanding client base including The Law Society, Prêt a Manger, Sky UK, Lendlease and the British Heart Foundation. Russell-Cooke’s ability to tackle complex, multidimensional cases means that a significant proportion of its work comes from referrals by other solicitors and many of its clients are solicitors, barristers and judges.
International Work:
The firm advises a wide range of businesses, individuals and charities on their cross-border matters. Russell-Cooke acts as part of clients’ professional inner circles and has a wide network of international advisers allowing them to seamlessly project manage transactions involving other jurisdictions. The firm is the sole UK member of international legal networks Legus and LexUnion.
Sustainability and Corporate Responsibility:
As a modern business, Russell-Cooke is aware of its impact on the environment and its place within the local community. As part of its strategic plan "to improve the environmental sustainability of the firm and take significant steps towards carbon neutrality,” Russell-Cooke offsets its emissions and has committed to do so in the future too. The firm’s Putney office not only boasts solar panels which push energy into the local grid, it is also home to two hives of Buckfast bees.
Ranked Offices
Provided by Russell-Cooke
- London8 Bedford Row , London, Greater London, UK, WC1R 4BX
- Web: www.russell-cooke.co.uk
- Tel: (020) 7405 6566
- Fax: (020) 7831 2565
- View ranked office
- KingstonRiverview House 20 Old Bridge Street Kingston-upon-Thames , Kingston, Surrey, UK, KT1 4BUView ranked officeKingston-upon-ThamesRiverview House 20 Old Bridge Street , Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, UK, KT1 4BUView ranked office
Russell-Cooke rankings
Articles, highlights and press releases
112 items provided by Russell-Cooke
Russell-Cooke makes partner promotions in real estate and enfranchisement teams
Law firm Russell-Cooke has announced the promotion of senior associates Pieter Boodt in the firm's Real Estate team, and Shabnam Ali-Khan in the enfranchisement team, to partner.
Russell-Cooke promotes four new senior associates
Law firm Russell-Cooke has announced four new senior associate promotions effective from 1 July 2021.
Russell-Cooke welcomes consultant to complement construction law offering
Russell-Cooke has welcomed new consultant Robert Stevenson to the firm's construction and engineering group.
Russell-Cooke welcomes back public law specialist Tom Bradford in new role as Legal Counsel
Russell-Cooke has welcomed back to the firm public law specialist Tom Bradford in a new role as Legal Counsel.
Russell-Cooke associate Nimmisha Aslam is Highly Commended in Chambers Europe awards
Personal injury and clinical negligence associate Nimmisha Aslam was Highly Commended for the Future Leader award within the Diversity & Inclusion category of the Chambers Europe Awards 2021 on 22 April 2021.
Russell-Cooke renews commitment to carbon neutrality
Law firm Russell-Cooke has renewed its commitment to carbon neutrality, having pledged to offset its estimated carbon emissions for a second year.
Russell-Cooke tops off a strong first quarter with sale of Dezeen
Russell-Cooke's corporate and commercial team successfully advised the founders of Dezeen Limited (Dezeen) on the sale of their company to Danish media company JP/Politiken Media Group (JP/Politiken).
An opportune moment to carry out a family audit: Generation Game, a Family Office report
The Russell-Cooke Family Office has published a report highlighting the current changing dynamics and shifting landscape for families.
Russell-Cooke senior associate Lauren Hall joins executive committee of the Child Abduction Lawyers
Russell-Cooke senior associate and Resolution-accredited international child abduction specialist Lauren Hall was elected to the Child Abduction Lawyers Association (CALA) executive committee as Treasurer. Lauren is a founding member of CALA.
Russell-Cooke elects Deputy Senior Partner and Joint Managing Partners
Law firm Russell-Cooke has announced that Jonathan Thornton has been elected as the firm's Deputy Senior Partner, while Alison Regan and James Carroll have been elected as Joint Managing Partners.
Russell-Cooke associate Nimmisha Aslam is shortlisted for Chambers’ Future Leader award
Personal injury and clinical negligence associate Nimmisha Aslam was shortlisted for the Future Leader award within the Diversity & Inclusion category of the Chambers Europe Awards 2021.
Law Society Chair appointment for Russell-Cooke consultant Peter Cadman
Russell-Cooke consultant Peter Cadman has been appointed Chair of the Law Society Professional Standards and Ethics Committee. He has been a member of the Committee for a number of years. The role commences from 31 August 2021 for a period of three years.
Russell-Cooke welcomes Emma Shipp to boost business offering
Law firm Russell-Cooke has recruited a senior figure to boost its offering to businesses.
Russell-Cooke wins in the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court today (6 November) ruled in favour of Russell-Cooke's client Alexander Devine in Alexander Devine Children’s Cancer Trust (Respondent) v Housing Solutions and Millgate Developments (Appellant).
Russell-Cooke boosts private client offering with partner hire in Bedford Row
Law firm Russell-Cooke has announced the arrival of Clare Jeffries as a partner in its Private Client team. She will join the firm's Bedford Row office on 2 November 2020. Clare was previously a partner at Goodman Derrick.
Russell-Cooke advises Viewranks Estates on innovative co-living scheme in Kingston
Law firm Russell-Cooke has advised Viewranks Estates on the early stages of their development of the first co-living scheme in Kingston-upon-Thames with a value of approximately £60m.
Russell-Cooke partner Kizzy Augustin listed among most influential BAME female speakers
Partner Kizzy Augustin has been listed as one of the 50 must-follow BAME female entrepreneurs, influencers and speakers in 2020 by the Forward Ladies Network.
Russell-Cooke welcomes new Head of People
Law firm Russell-Cooke welcomed Anna Richardson as Head of People on 12 October 2020.
Russell-Cooke bolsters clinical negligence offering with new consultant hire
Law firm Russell-Cooke has announced the arrival of Bernadette McGhie as a consultant in its clinical negligence team. Bernadette joins the firm on 5 October 2020.
Russell-Cooke strengthens planning practice with new partner hire
Russell-Cooke is delighted to announce the appointment of John Webster as a partner in its planning department.
Russell-Cooke hosts panel event for aspiring black, Asian and minority ethnic lawyers
On 22 July 2020 Russell-Cooke hosted an online event for aspiring solicitors from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds. The event was due to be held in person in March but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Russell-Cooke named in Tier 1 of 2020 eprivateclient Top Family Law Firms rankings
Russell-Cooke has been recognised in the top tier of family law firms in the UK by online publication eprivateclient. This is the firm’s fifth award from eprivate client since it first ranked family law firms in 2016.
Why I shouldn't have to feel grateful for an inclusive work culture
Russell-Cooke trainee Leah Hayden gives insight into her experience as an LGBTQ+ employee at Russell-Cooke.
Russell-Cooke strengthens partnership with six new partner promotions
Law firm Russell-Cooke is pleased to announce the promotion of six senior associates to the partnership with effect from 1st July 2020. The promotions come from across the firm's diverse practice groups including property litigation, children and education, family, charities and private client.
Russell-Cooke partner Fiona Read is nominated in Spear's Family Law Index 2020
Partner Fiona Read, who leads the Russell-Cooke family law team in Putney, has been named a Top Recommended Family Lawyer in the Spear's Family Law Index 2020.
The Williams review – gross negligence manslaughter in healthcare
On 11 June 2018 the Department for Health and Social Care published the report of the Williams review into 'gross negligence manslaughter in healthcare'. From the perspective of a clinical negligence solicitor, this seems to summarise the hopes our clients fairly accurately.
Dispute Resolution is an alternative to court
Divorce or separation can be difficult - emotionally, practically and often financially. In these circumstances court is not the first option or indeed the only option to resolve your differences.
Permanent rights granted to lessees to access garden square
A recent case established an important point in relation to the rights granted to lessees when they enfranchise a building under the Leasehold Reform Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 (the Act).
Sentencing businesses for health and safety offences
The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSWA) imposes a number of duties on dutyholders and sets out the general duties owed to employees and non-employees to protect them from risks to their health and safety arising out of, or in connection with, their work activities.
Government announces review of legal aid for inquests
On 19 July 2018, the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) announced a review into legal aid funding for inquests. In the review foreword, Lucy Frazer (Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Justice) recognised the importance of inquests in "helping the bereaved to understand and make sense of their loss.
Russell-Cooke makes partner promotions in real estate and enfranchisement teams
Law firm Russell-Cooke has announced the promotion of senior associates Pieter Boodt in the firm's Real Estate team, and Shabnam Ali-Khan in the enfranchisement team, to partner.
Russell-Cooke promotes four new senior associates
Law firm Russell-Cooke has announced four new senior associate promotions effective from 1 July 2021.
Russell-Cooke welcomes consultant to complement construction law offering
Russell-Cooke has welcomed new consultant Robert Stevenson to the firm's construction and engineering group.
Russell-Cooke welcomes back public law specialist Tom Bradford in new role as Legal Counsel
Russell-Cooke has welcomed back to the firm public law specialist Tom Bradford in a new role as Legal Counsel.
Russell-Cooke associate Nimmisha Aslam is Highly Commended in Chambers Europe awards
Personal injury and clinical negligence associate Nimmisha Aslam was Highly Commended for the Future Leader award within the Diversity & Inclusion category of the Chambers Europe Awards 2021 on 22 April 2021.
Russell-Cooke renews commitment to carbon neutrality
Law firm Russell-Cooke has renewed its commitment to carbon neutrality, having pledged to offset its estimated carbon emissions for a second year.
Russell-Cooke tops off a strong first quarter with sale of Dezeen
Russell-Cooke's corporate and commercial team successfully advised the founders of Dezeen Limited (Dezeen) on the sale of their company to Danish media company JP/Politiken Media Group (JP/Politiken).
An opportune moment to carry out a family audit: Generation Game, a Family Office report
The Russell-Cooke Family Office has published a report highlighting the current changing dynamics and shifting landscape for families.
Russell-Cooke senior associate Lauren Hall joins executive committee of the Child Abduction Lawyers
Russell-Cooke senior associate and Resolution-accredited international child abduction specialist Lauren Hall was elected to the Child Abduction Lawyers Association (CALA) executive committee as Treasurer. Lauren is a founding member of CALA.
Russell-Cooke elects Deputy Senior Partner and Joint Managing Partners
Law firm Russell-Cooke has announced that Jonathan Thornton has been elected as the firm's Deputy Senior Partner, while Alison Regan and James Carroll have been elected as Joint Managing Partners.
Russell-Cooke associate Nimmisha Aslam is shortlisted for Chambers’ Future Leader award
Personal injury and clinical negligence associate Nimmisha Aslam was shortlisted for the Future Leader award within the Diversity & Inclusion category of the Chambers Europe Awards 2021.
Law Society Chair appointment for Russell-Cooke consultant Peter Cadman
Russell-Cooke consultant Peter Cadman has been appointed Chair of the Law Society Professional Standards and Ethics Committee. He has been a member of the Committee for a number of years. The role commences from 31 August 2021 for a period of three years.
Russell-Cooke welcomes Emma Shipp to boost business offering
Law firm Russell-Cooke has recruited a senior figure to boost its offering to businesses.
Russell-Cooke wins in the Supreme Court
The Supreme Court today (6 November) ruled in favour of Russell-Cooke's client Alexander Devine in Alexander Devine Children’s Cancer Trust (Respondent) v Housing Solutions and Millgate Developments (Appellant).
Russell-Cooke boosts private client offering with partner hire in Bedford Row
Law firm Russell-Cooke has announced the arrival of Clare Jeffries as a partner in its Private Client team. She will join the firm's Bedford Row office on 2 November 2020. Clare was previously a partner at Goodman Derrick.
Russell-Cooke advises Viewranks Estates on innovative co-living scheme in Kingston
Law firm Russell-Cooke has advised Viewranks Estates on the early stages of their development of the first co-living scheme in Kingston-upon-Thames with a value of approximately £60m.
Russell-Cooke partner Kizzy Augustin listed among most influential BAME female speakers
Partner Kizzy Augustin has been listed as one of the 50 must-follow BAME female entrepreneurs, influencers and speakers in 2020 by the Forward Ladies Network.
Russell-Cooke welcomes new Head of People
Law firm Russell-Cooke welcomed Anna Richardson as Head of People on 12 October 2020.
Russell-Cooke bolsters clinical negligence offering with new consultant hire
Law firm Russell-Cooke has announced the arrival of Bernadette McGhie as a consultant in its clinical negligence team. Bernadette joins the firm on 5 October 2020.
Russell-Cooke strengthens planning practice with new partner hire
Russell-Cooke is delighted to announce the appointment of John Webster as a partner in its planning department.
Russell-Cooke hosts panel event for aspiring black, Asian and minority ethnic lawyers
On 22 July 2020 Russell-Cooke hosted an online event for aspiring solicitors from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds. The event was due to be held in person in March but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Russell-Cooke named in Tier 1 of 2020 eprivateclient Top Family Law Firms rankings
Russell-Cooke has been recognised in the top tier of family law firms in the UK by online publication eprivateclient. This is the firm’s fifth award from eprivate client since it first ranked family law firms in 2016.
Why I shouldn't have to feel grateful for an inclusive work culture
Russell-Cooke trainee Leah Hayden gives insight into her experience as an LGBTQ+ employee at Russell-Cooke.
Russell-Cooke strengthens partnership with six new partner promotions
Law firm Russell-Cooke is pleased to announce the promotion of six senior associates to the partnership with effect from 1st July 2020. The promotions come from across the firm's diverse practice groups including property litigation, children and education, family, charities and private client.
Russell-Cooke partner Fiona Read is nominated in Spear's Family Law Index 2020
Partner Fiona Read, who leads the Russell-Cooke family law team in Putney, has been named a Top Recommended Family Lawyer in the Spear's Family Law Index 2020.
The Williams review – gross negligence manslaughter in healthcare
On 11 June 2018 the Department for Health and Social Care published the report of the Williams review into 'gross negligence manslaughter in healthcare'. From the perspective of a clinical negligence solicitor, this seems to summarise the hopes our clients fairly accurately.
Dispute Resolution is an alternative to court
Divorce or separation can be difficult - emotionally, practically and often financially. In these circumstances court is not the first option or indeed the only option to resolve your differences.
Permanent rights granted to lessees to access garden square
A recent case established an important point in relation to the rights granted to lessees when they enfranchise a building under the Leasehold Reform Housing and Urban Development Act 1993 (the Act).
Sentencing businesses for health and safety offences
The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HSWA) imposes a number of duties on dutyholders and sets out the general duties owed to employees and non-employees to protect them from risks to their health and safety arising out of, or in connection with, their work activities.
Government announces review of legal aid for inquests
On 19 July 2018, the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) announced a review into legal aid funding for inquests. In the review foreword, Lucy Frazer (Parliamentary Under-Secretary for Justice) recognised the importance of inquests in "helping the bereaved to understand and make sense of their loss.