Keeping you informed with the latest news and updates on our cases and expert areas, with professional opinions and insights into the claims.
Keeping you informed with the latest news and updates on our cases and expert areas, with professional opinions and insights into the claims.
Authors: Abigail Hedges and Marc Krestin Although climate litigation has been on the agenda of some activists for many years, the importance of climate litigation
Alarming findings published by the DVSA at the beginning of the year show that over half of diesel cars and vans tested in 2019 exhibited
An independent review of the 2022 UEFA Champions League Final was issued on Tuesday 14 February 2023. Pogust Goodhead, who are running a legal case
On Thursday 9 February 2023, Pogust Goodhead stood alongside hundreds of thousands of clients as they faced Mercedes, the billion-pound company, to court in the
Authors: Cécile Rouméas, Senior Associate, and Guido Bongers, Associate On 2 November 2022, Dutch members of parliament submitted an updated version of the Bill for
The Dieselgate scandal rocked the car industry in 2015 when carmakers were caught cheating vehicle emissions tests. Seven years later, very little has changed. There
NHS Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS) have been ordered by the Scottish Government to report on the service provided at Sandyford clinic for the treatment of
Author: Matthew Hunt, Senior Associate Pogust Goodhead has a direct interest in Rights of Nature because of its experience in representing indigenous communities and people, its
Last week, one of Pogust Goodhead’s Partners, Ana Carolina Salomão, spoke at the United Nations’s One Humanity conference in Geneva, in the iconic Salle des
Pogust Goodhead and Bingham Solicitors claim against UEFA has received support from famous Liverpool FC faces. Former LFC player Jason McAteer’s wife Lucy and son
Following receipt of a number of allegations against the Trans youth charity Mermaids, the Charity Commission has now confirmed that it has opened a case
We are delighted to announce that we have been shortlisted for the prestigious Lawyer European Awards 2022. We have been shortlisted in two categories: Global Firm
Pogust Goodhead is thrilled to announce that we have been ranked in The Legal 500 Environment listings 2022. Acknowledging our outstanding achievements over the past few years, the
Pogust Goodhead and our litigation partners have filed suit in Federal Court against multiple brands of Prenatal Vitamins, including Bayer’s One A Day, Target’s Up
Communities lost to damage caused by salt mines in Northern Brazil are celebrating after securing the right to sue petrochemical company Braskem in the Dutch
Our Partner and COO, Alicia Alinia, is a guest on the Reasons to be Cheerful podcast with Ed Miliband and Geoff Lloyd this week. The episode focuses on David
Once labelled “the largest white elephant in the history of group actions”, the Court of Appeal in Municipio de Mariana & Ors v BHP Group
On 28 July 2022, NHS England announced that the Gender Identity Development Service (GIDS) at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust will close following
Global law firm PGMBM will now be known as Pogust Goodhead after a succession of litigation victories. Following a landmark ruling ensuring mining giant BHP
Liverpool fans caught up in the disturbing scenes of violence and delay outside the Champion’s League final are taking legal action against UEFA. The claim
Last week, Pogust Goodhead (previously PGMBM) announced the litigation against guitar makers Fender after they were fined for breaking competition laws. If our claim is
In a landmark judgment released on 8 July 2022, over 200,000 claimants have been given the go-ahead to pursue litigation in the courts of England
Pougst Goodhead (was PGMBM) have announced a new £100million funding partnership with North Wall Capital which will help the firm to continue to provide access
Victims of Brazil’s worst environmental disaster are celebrating today after a landmark ruling ensured that FTSE 100 mining giant BHP will now finally face their
Lawyers supporting victims of the NHS Lothian paediatric audiology service scandal have warned that the number of children affected could be far greater than those
By failing to act quickly and decisively on the Dieselgate scandal, the UK government is failing to break the link between air pollution and thousands
Author: Filipe Carvalho, Associate It is a rule in Brazilian law that generally whoever alleges must prove the allegation. Pursuant to article 373 of the
Author: Emma O’Brien, Associate ‘Black Wednesday for big oil’, as the media1 dubbed it on 26 May 2021, was the day when some of the
PGMBM has announced today an out of court settlement agreement on behalf of our Claimants with the Volkswagen Group in the Volkswagen NOx Emissions Group
Last month, PGMBM represented more than 200,000 victims of the Mariana dam disaster in the UK courts to support them in their fight for justice.
We are delighted to announce that we have been shortlisted for the prestigious Lawyer awards. We are shortlisted in two categories – Boutique Firm of
Authors: Eléonore Buisson and Marc Krestin On 5 January 2022, the Paris Judicial Tribunal (Tribunal Judiciaire de Paris)[1] ruled for the first time since group
German-based biotechnology company Bayer was slapped with a product liability class action Friday in Pennsylvania Eastern District Court. The case, brought by PGMBM LLC and other law
Author: Bruna Oliveira, Associate. Emissions from internal combustion engine vehicles (ICEVs) – i.e. those powered by diesel and petrol – contribute significantly to climate change,
This year, for International Women’s Day, the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) team set up a fundraising campaign for our charity partners, Refuge to support the work
PGMBM hosted an online panel event on 9 February 2022, which centred on the ongoing impact of the Dieselgate scandal in the UK and the
Late last year, the Bahia state of Brazil was affected by flooding and heavy rains as a result of the extreme weather caused by climate
On the third anniversary of the Brumadinho dam collapse in Brazil, PGMBM and Manner Spangenberg lawyers acting on behalf of victims of the disaster say
Author: Jade Weiner, Legal Director On 28 December 2021, the High Court of South Africa handed down a ruling (the ‘Case‘) interdicting Royal Dutch Shell (Shell) from carrying out
Author: Alex Tyerman, PGMBM Associate In the high-profile case of Lloyd v Google LLC [2021] UKSC 50, the Supreme Court handed down its final judgment in
Authors: Emma O’Brien and Viola Macrelli, PGMBM Associates Post-festive season, there is fresh motivation to set goals for the year ahead. It is increasingly in
PGMBM is optimistic about the hearing in April when it will be decided whether the case can be tried in England. Since 2018, PGMBM has
Author: Zachary Pogust, PGMBM Associate (USA) The Dutch regime for collective actions was overhauled when the Act on Redress of Mass Damages in Collective Action (“WAMCA” or the “Act”) entered into force. The
Author: Phoebe Gunputh, PGMBM Associate How can you obtain a judgment without going to trial? While it may sound like a trick question, the English
Appearing in the media this weekend, PGMBM discussed our increasingly popular bid for a judicial review into the government’s Hotel Quarantine Policy. We were quoted by numerous news outlets in articles about the policy, including the Daily Mail, The Independent, and City
Global powerhouse PGMBM has merged with sister firm Pogust Millrood LLC, one of the leading mass tort and personal injury firms in the US. The
PGMBM is the proud sponsor of a ground-breaking initiative to educate schools on Black history, which was made possible through our Corporate Social Responsibility programme. Understanding the importance of
Data breach specialists PGMBM are supporting customers of Sky Betting & Gaming after the gambling giant admitted to exposing recovering and vulnerable addicts to “free
Author: Luke Villiers, PGMBM Associate In previous posts, PGMBM examined recent landmark climate change cases and litigation trends and the new European human rights and
An agreement to plead guilty to criminal conduct is near completion in the US emissions fraud investigation against Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA). Reuters claim that the ‘agreement’ could see
More than 1,500 Brazilian orange growers are celebrating today after securing a High Court judgment that will force multi-billionaire Brazilian orange juice magnate, José Luis
Author: Michael Burke, Senior Associate Instructing a solicitor and starting a case, especially against a large, well-resourced defendant, can seem like a daunting task. To
The Mayor of Brumadinho has stated that it is ‘time for justice’ as the countdown begins ahead of the first hearing in a landmark civil
Author: Jordyn Mitzman, US Attorney at PGMBM U.S. discovery rules are generally more liberal and expansive than those in other countries. United States Statute 28
PGMBM has now issued court proceedings after the government refused to review their controversial hotel quarantine rules. After forcing the government into a U-turn on
What is a test case? Test cases are used to provide a clearer definition of a law, or to assess its validity. They are often used
Authors: Meabh Kirby and Dominique Ouwerkerk, Trainee Solicitors Environmental litigation is on the rise as individuals and organisations take to the courts to hold corporations
Class action lawsuits used to have an image problem. Too big and too American, they were accused of fuelling an ambulance-chasing legal culture and filling
Author: Catarina Ferraz, PGMBM Associate In countries with great environmental potential, it is common for natural resources to become one of the main sources of
A second judicial review is being sought by PGMBM for the Government’s controversial hotel quarantine policy. The Government could end up paying tens of millions
What is Alternative Dispute Resolution? Arbitration is a private court hearing where parties agree to be bound by the decision of the mediator. It is
Some 200,000 victims of the Mariana Dam environmental disaster in Brazil are today celebrating having been granted permission to reopen their £5bn case against mining
Germany’s largest consumer protection group has filed a lawsuit against Daimler to help Mercedes owners get redress over the Dieselgate scandal. If successful, the lawsuit
Author: James Kempell, Paralegal A class action is when a large group of affected people form a collective claim over a common legal issue.
Last week, PGMBM received confirmation from the Government that we had been successful in forcing a U-turn over the costs vulnerable people were incurring as part of
As the court-appointed lead solicitors, PGMBM is pleased to announce that litigation with British Airways has been resolved on confidential terms. The UK mediation between legal representatives for
What is the future for traditional communities? How does the climate crisis affect environmental justice? Which paths does Brazil have? The Brazil Forum UK brought to the conversation fundamental issues regarding the building of a
Prosecutors in France have charged both Peugeot and Renault over claims they cheated emissions testing in many of their diesel vehicles. Senior managers were accused of deceit for using ‘fraudulent strategies’ and committing emissions
Author: Janice Tang, Associate at PGMBM It is evident that there has been a marked rise in group securities litigation globally in recent years. This
More than 94% of parents underestimate the fatal impact of air pollution in the UK, new research has revealed.[1] While three-quarters of parents (73%) said
In 2020, PGMBM launched the My Diesel Claim campaign to hold vehicle manufacturers accountable for their role in the Dieselgate scandal and to make sure that drivers receive suitable compensation for their losses. One of the questions
Litigation is a costly procedure. Available resources can substantially impact outcomes, and smaller players are often disadvantaged against large corporations. However, the growth in litigation
Authors: Jessica Pineda, Senior Associate, and Thais Stella, former Paralegal at PGMBM The Rana Plaza Disaster is among the worst industrial accidents on record. On 24 April
Thousands of victims of the PIP Breast Implant Scandal will now receive compensation for their suffering, a French court has announced. The victory comes 10
Filing a legal claim against a large company can be intimidating, especially if it has a strong legal team and a generous pool of finances. However, by
Author: Carmen Garcia Ramirez, former PGMBM Paralegal Product liability is the legal obligation a manufacturer or seller is held to for producing or selling a
Four months after an inquest concluded that air pollution was the cause of death for six-year-old Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, a coroner has called on the UK
As we mentioned in our previous update, the Hotel Quarantine Judicial Review is very important to us as a firm because of our passion for championing justice and ensuring
In Germany, Volkswagen is seeking around $1.2 billion from ex-CEO Martin Winterkorn for his actions in the Dieselgate scandal. If awarded, this sum would be
Author: Chiara Priovolou, PGMBM Paralegal At PGMBM we are passionate about championing justice and ensuring fairness for all. Our judicial review of the hotel quarantine
Authors: Jessika Castañon, PGMBM Associate and Camila Manfredini, former PGMBM Associate The rapid growth of supply chains across borders has brought undeniable benefits to developing countries. However, it
The Australian federal court has dismissed Volkswagen’s appeal against their $95 million fine. The appeal was surrounding Volkswagen’s part in the Dieselgate emissions scandal. Case history An appeal was submitted
In response to the growing number of manufacturers under investigation for diesel emissions fraud, PGMBM has launched a new campaign to support more diesel vehicle drivers than ever before: My Diesel Claim. MyDieselClaim.com will
What is a limitation period? The limitation period is the time period in which a party can bring a claim. This time commences from when
One of PGMBM’s many talented paralegals, Eléonore Buisson, recently graduated with a Masters in Economic Law from the Sciences Po Law School, 2020. Eléonore has spoken
In a seminal judgment delivered on 12 February 2021, the UK Supreme Court in Okpabi unanimously ruled in favour of the appellants in a group litigation involving
International law firm PGMBM and leading European special situations investor North Wall Capital (North Wall) announce a new £45 million funding partnership to support the
In response to the news that the Government would be enforcing a mandatory hotel quarantine policy, PGMBM is preparing to launch a legal challenge to stand up for
In a ground-breaking judgment, the UK Supreme Court allowed an appeal in a group litigation against the oil and gas company Shell plc. The decision
A record number of vehicles failed their MOT tests in 2020 due to issues relating to potentially harmful exhaust emissions. Sources indicate that 1.3 million
The 2018 BA Data Breach Claim has become the largest group action personal data claim in UK history, with over 16,000 victims seeking compensation from
There is often some confusion in the difference between barristers and solicitors. Put simply, barristers tend to represent clients in court, and solicitors tend to
What is a Breach? A breach is the act of someone breaking, or failing to observe, their legal obligations. A contract can be breached in
What Does Precedent Mean? Precedent is when a previous court decision is considered to be a ‘rule’ for deciding or influencing subsequent cases involving similar
On 09 November 2020, Mr Justice Turner of the High Court, handed down a judgment that denied the jurisdiction of the English Court to adjudicate
After a fresh inquest into the death of a nine-year-old girl concluded that she died as a result of air pollution, theories surrounding the relationship between pollution and ill-health
What is a settlement? A settlement is a resolution reached by the parties involved in a case, rather than one ordered by a judge. Settlements
What is no-win, no-fee? A No-Win, No-Fee agreement protects you from paying any legal fees in the event that a case is not successful. In
What is a Steering Committee? As the name would suggest, a steering committee helps steer and direct complex litigation. Ordered by court, the committee is
What is compensation? In the context of law, compensation is the money you are awarded by a court for loss, damage or suffering. The amount
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Pogust Goodhead (a trading name of PGMBM Law Ltd) SRA License Number 512898
Pogust Goodhead is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority and complies with the Solicitors Code of Conduct, a copy of which can be located here.
JAYE HAYNES
Global Talent Acquisition Partner
Jaye takes pride in ensuring that placements are a strong match for all parties.
She is interested in finding candidates the right career rather than simply a job!
Jaye always strives to bring 100% to the work that she does and her goal is to build strong, long-term, mutually beneficial relationships for candidates and business partners.
Jaye has experience of recruiting in the legal sector across all levels and managing the recruitment process from start to finish.
TAHMINA ISLAM
Client Services Quality Co-ordinator
Tahmina graduated from the University of Westminster with a degree in Law. She has recently completed her LPC with a Master’s in LLM Law at the University of Law.
She joined Pogust Goodhead in 2021 after completing her LPC and is based in the London Office.
She has extensive experience in pro-bono work with the Westminster Law Clinic dealing with client claims including Employment law, Commercial Law and Immigration Law. She helped individuals with no access to legal services and offered guidance to those who needed help, which is one of Tahmina’s core values as a legal professional.
FATEMA FAIROOZ
Paralegal
Fatema is an LLB and LLM law graduate from Middlesex University.
With a passion for bringing justice to clients, Fatema joined Pogust Goodhead’s Client Care Team as a paralegal in 2021 as the firm’s core values of defending the rights of individuals through claimant-based litigation is aligned with her passions as a legal professional. She is currently working on the Diesel Emissions Claims and is looking forward to using her knowledge and progress further within the legal career.
Fatema is dedicated to following her career goals whilst making clients her top priority, by providing support, information and listening to their needs.
She will be commencing her LPC in September 2021 with the view to qualifying as a solicitor in the future.
Fatema is fluent in Arabic, Farsi, and English.
NIKKI FARAHANI
Paralegal
Nikki graduated with a LLB Law Degree from the University of Westminster in 2019. Upon completing her LLM and LPC from the University of Law focusing on Commercial Law and Litigation, Nikki joined PGMBM for further specialism in international litigation.
Passionate about justice, Nikki has extensive experience in many aspects of pro-bono work and has dealt with issues relating to employment, family, wills and probate as well as housing and immigration. Through this work she has helped provide legal assistance to individuals who would not otherwise be able to afford legal advice or ongoing assistance. Her Master’s thesis explored the need for introduction of legal reforms to address the current challenges relating to the rights of individuals entering surrogacy agreements.
She is passionate about ensuring corporate liability for environmental harm and social responsibility in defence of individual rights.
Nikki is currently supporting the firm’s investigations into a Group Litigation against Mercedes Benz regarding the emissions scandal.
RAI GILL
Paralegal
Before turning to law, Rai first graduated from UCL with a degree in Classics. He subsequently obtained his LLM and BPTC from BPP in London.
In his legal dissertation, Rai focussed on property law, particularly the disparity between the powers of landlords and tenants. In his spare time, Rai has worked pro-bono for legal clinics in London offering debt and insolvency advice.
Rai is also a keen debater and public speaker, having been President of the Conservative Society in his final year at UCL, and later a member of the BPP Mooting Society.
VESARA HASANI
Paralegal
Ves completed her degree of European Legal Studies LLB at The University of Westminster. She plans to undertake her LPC/SQE in the near future.
During her studies, Ves paid special attention to family law as this piqued her interest. Her dissertation focused on the patriarchal beliefs of the traditional nuclear family and its effect on the laws of adoption and surrogacy in the UK and Italy. Ves aims to specialise in family law in the future.
Whilst at Pogust Goodhead, Ves has worked on a range of cases such as the Uber Drivers Compensation Claim, Mercedes Emissions Claim and British Airways. This has showcased Ves’ ability to work on a multitude of cases whilst maintaining her excellent client care service.
ELYSE HOWE
Client Care Administrator
After completing her qualifications and leaving school Elyse began her career in customer service. Elyse gained a wealth of experience and decided to take a different career path and pursued a role within in a legal firm.
Since joining PGMBM she has found a new career interest and is excited for her future in law. Elyse is looking forward to broadening her knowledge within this sector.
Elyse is dedicated to follow her career goals whilst making clients her top priority, by providing support, information and listening to their needs.
Elyse uses her excellent client abilities to connect with them whilst providing the law and legal work that they require.
SELINA HUSSAIN
Paralegal
Selina graduated with a degree in LLB Law in 2018 before completing her LPC LLM at the University of Law in 2020 with a Distinction.
Whilst studying at university, Selina worked with witness service and Citizen’s advice bureau. Here, Selina provided practical and emotional support for individuals throughout their trial.
Selina has a passion for finding justice and holding transnational corporations accountable for their actions.
Selina joined PGMBM in 2021 and wishes to develop her commercial litigation skills. Selina has worked on high profile group action claims against Mercedes-Benz, Uber and British Airways. Selina hopes to qualify as a solicitor in the future and is interested in Corporate and Intellectual Property law.
ASIRAH JANALLI
Paralegal
Asirah graduated from Queen Mary University of London in 2020 with a First Class Honours degree in Law.
During university, Asirah gained extensive client-facing experience. She advised clients in the areas of employment law and consumer law at the Queen Mary Legal Advice Centre, as well as volunteered in legal aid clinics across London and in Singapore.
After graduating, Asirah joined Pogust Goodhead as a paralegal. By working on cases against major corporations, she hopes to expand upon her interest in commercial and consumer law.
KUDA DUBE
Paralegal
Kuda graduated from the University of Sheffield with an LLB degree in Law with European & International Law. As part of her degree she spent time at Sciences Po Paris.
She has gained experience in Competition Law having worked in the Middle East and Brussels with the French law firm Bredin Prat. Kuda has dealt with Mergers & Acquisitions within the European Union and as far as COMESA. As such, she has developed an interest for emerging and developing Competition Law within African jurisdictions.
Kuda joined Pogust Goodhead in 2021 and is currently working on the “Dieselgate” case. She is fluent in Shona as a Zimbabwean native and has learned French to an advanced level.
MAYA JOHN
Paralegal
Maya holds an LLB from Anglia Ruskin University and is fluent in both English and Italian.
Whilst at university, Maya undertook Pro Bono work at a free housing clinic in London. Her role was to help people with legal advice, for issues regarding Housing Law. She is currently working on one of PGMBM’s major cases, the Mercedes Benz Emissions case.
Maya is currently studying the LPC at BPP Law School, with the long term goal of specialising as a wills and probate solicitor.
HELIN KAPLANKIRAN
Trainee Solicitor
Helin has an LLB from the University of Kent after graduating in 2019 with first class honours. Following this, she completed an LLM in Corporate Law at University College London where she was awarded a distinction.
During her studies, Helin developed a particular interest in areas of corporate social responsibility and environmental litigation.
Helin joined Pogust Goodhead in August 2020 and has primarily worked on the Mercedes-Benz NOx Emissions Group Litigation, Renault Nissan NOx Emissions Group Litigation and British Airways Data Breach Group Litigation.
JAMES KEMPELL
Client Care Supervisor
James holds an LLB from the University of Liverpool, he focused his studies on Commercial law and Corporate practices with an ambition to qualify as an Intellectual Property solicitor.
During his studies, James gained extensive experience shadowing barristers and solicitors. Prior to joining PGMBM, James obtained Paralegal experience in a private practice dealing with civil negligence.
James grew up in Spain and has spent a large amount of his life living abroad. With a wealth of client facing experience, he hopes to one day to use his skills working internationally.
SALMA KHATUN
Paralegal
Salma graduated in Law from the University of Westminster in 2020 and is currently completing the Legal Practice LLM course.
Salma has extensive experience volunteering, covering a range of matters including Family Law and Employment Law. She has also completed work for an Anti-Poverty Charity. She has a strong interest in Commercial Litigation.
Salma is a Paralegal as part of the Client Care Team and is currently working on the Diesel Emissions Claim and Uber Claim.
DIELLONA KRASNIQI
Paralegal
Diellona graduated from the University of Westminster with an Upper Second-Class Honours degree in Law, she then went on to achieve a distinction on the LPC LLM programme at BPP University and retains a master’s degree in law.
Diellona has now begun her legal career here at Pogust Goodhead as a client care paralegal.
FRANCESKA KRENCE
Paralegal
Franceska graduated from Nottingham Trent University with LLB International Law and is currently midway through her LLM Health Law and Ethics studies.
Prior to joining PGMBM, Franceska has had a variety of legal and non-legal work experiences in various jurisdictions. The latest of which was a volunteer paralegal role at the Nottingham Legal Advice Center where she assisted citizens in need with social justice, as well as disability and welfare benefits cases.
In her spare time, Franceska is a published writer that enjoys Thai Boxing sessions, reading and photography.
OLIVIA DUFFIN
Paralegal
Olivia graduated from Leeds College of Music with a BA in Classical Voice in 2018, followed by the accelerated LLB at City University of London in 2020.
During university, Olivia excelled in international economic law, receiving the Allen & Overy prize for gaining top marks. She also assisted her criminal law lecturer in his research while studying, and began tutoring undergraduate law one year into her degree. As one of the most active members of City Students’ Union, she was on the executive committee for the Canadian and American Law Society, the Pro Bono Society, and the Bee Society; while representing the Law School on the Student Council and acting as the Academic Representative of the Societies’ Board. In those capacities, she organised legal events such as the Music and Media Law Panel Discussion, which featured a Vice President of Universal Music as a guest speaker, and gave talks on social issues such as the gender pay gap. She also gained much experience competing in national and international mooting competitions, and has been invited to judge the internal moots at the University of Law Moorgate campus for the past two years. Olivia hopes to pursue an LLM in international economic law starting in 2021.
Outside of law, Olivia trained as a mezzo-soprano at Leeds College of Music, where she was sponsored to study violin, having played in orchestras since 10 years old. She continues to tutors music and maths to children, and has been invited to participate in the National Tutoring Programme (a £1bn government project to cure education inequality arising from the pandemic), and now teaches maths at a local primary school alongside her work at PGMBM. She also enjoys throwing charity events, and moonlights as bank staff for the PDSA.
LAUREN DONALDSON
Paralegal
Lauren graduated in 2020 with an LLB from the University of Glasgow.
After completing her undergraduate degree, Lauren undertook Pro Bono work at a Scottish Law Centre with a specialism in Disability Law. Here, she gained experience helping to promote accessible and affordable legal services for all in areas of employment law, family law, and social security.
Since joining PGMBM as a Paralegal in the London Office, Lauren has worked predominantly on Emissions Claims against a number of major car manufacturers. Her interests lie in consumer and commercial law, and as such, she is passionate about PGMBMs mission of defending the rights of individuals against multinational corporations through group litigation.
KARINA MASON
Paralegal
Karina graduated from the University of Glasgow with a Bachelor of Laws with Spanish.
During her studies, she volunteered for Student Action for Refugees. She helped refugees with their transition to life in Glasgow and improving their English language skills.
Karina moved to London in 2021 to work as a paralegal at PGMBM.
FAIZA AYUB
Paralegal
Faiza is a law graduate from SOAS University of London and has recently completed her LLM/LPC at BPP Law School.
She joined Pogust Goodhead in 2021 because she believes it is important to work in a company whose values correspond with those of her own.
Her interests predominately lie in business law and corporate liability.
Faiza is a Paralegal within the Client Care Team and is currently working on the Mercedes Diesel Emissions Claim.
JASMINE RUSSO
Client Care Supervisor
Jasmine built upon her BA in Human Rights and International Relations with an MA in International Affairs and Diplomacy from the School of Oriental and African Studies (University of London). She speaks Italian, English and Spanish.
Jasmine has experience in different areas, including the third sector and research industries. One of her favourite legal roles involved managing the re-trials of Stanisic and Simatovic for crimes against humanity during the Bosnian War within the IRMCT in The Hague. Jasmine also recently joined the Italian General Consulate in London for a temporary project relating to the registering of Italian residents abroad and a national referendum.
Since joining PGMBM, Jasmine has been the point of contact for clients both within the Mercedes-Benz NOx Emissions Group Litigation and EasyJet Data Breach Group Litigation. Jasmine is passionate about international law, particularly in respect of how it engages human rights.
JERUM TOKAAY
Client Operations Manager
Jerum graduated in 2017 from Hogeschool InHolland in The Hague, The Netherlands, with a degree in Communications.
Jerum has been in sales & customer service in contact centre environments for over eight years in different positions, varying from Team manager, project manager, and sales manager. Besides this, he is specialised in delivering straight-to-the-point sales training, and coaching for outsourcing and face-to-face-organisations.
Jerum joined Pogust Goodhead as a Client Care Supervisor in Putney in 2021.
SHADIA ABDARAHMAN
Client Services Quality Co-ordinator
Shadia graduated with a LLB Law in 2020 from Brunel University. Currently, she is undertaking a masters in International Corporate Governance at The University of Law, graduating in 2021.
Shadia has a particular interest in Intellectual property law and company law. She’s now joined the Pogust Goodhead Client Care Team.
She is planning to complete the Solicitors Qualifying Exam in 2022, in hopes to qualify as a solicitor in the near future.
AISHAH SYEDA
Paralegal
Aishah is a law graduate from the University of Westminster, having completed an Integrated Master’s in Law degree which also includes the Legal Practice Course (LPC). During her LPC she studied Commercial Law and Intellectual Property, Employment Law and Clinical Legal Practice.
Prior to joining Pogust Goodhead, Aishah was a document review paralegal where she worked on high profile commercial cases, including a US based pharmaceutical case involving competition law and antitrust law. Aishah enjoys commercial work and intends to specialise in this area.
Outside of her professional career, she enjoys challenging herself and taking part in new experiences. In 2018 she took part in a sponsored climb up the UK’s highest mountain, Ben Nevis in Scotland, where she reached the peak (4,413 ft) and raised over a thousand pounds. Her efforts enabled the construction of four wells across Africa and Asia, allowing access to clean water and making a life-changing difference to disadvantaged communities.
Aishah joined Pogust Goodhead in 2021 and is working on the Mercedes diesel emissions claim.
LUKE AMATRUDA
Client Services Complaints Lead
Luke graduated with a First Class Law degree from the University of Law, Bloomsbury, before joining PGMBM’s BA Data Breach team in 2021.
With a background as a podcaster, musician and producer, he hopes to combine his talents and interests with law and enter the Intellectual Property and Data Protection fields. Luke is looking forward to qualifying as a solicitor in the near future.
RENE ANTONIO
Paralegal
Rene graduated from the University of Portsmouth with an LLB Law degree in 2020, and embraced the position of Paralegal at Pogust Goodhead in 2021.
During her final year of University, Rene volunteered for the University’s General Legal Advice Clinic once a week, where they advised clients on family and child law matters, landlords and tenant, commercial contracts and employment law.
After securing legal internships in various practice areas, Rene has become particularly interested in Commercial & Consumer Law and Medical Law. She also hopes to obtain a training contract in the not too distant future and qualify as a solicitor.
ARD BABATINCA
Paralegal
Ard graduated from the University of Kent with a degree in law in 2019. In 2020, Ard successfully completed his LLM/LPC at BBP University in London, Holborn.
During his University studies, Ard took on various administrative support and customer service roles.
Ard is passionate about providing justice to individuals facing significant injustices from large corporations.
Since joining Pogust Goodhead, Ard has been predominantly working in the BA team, playing his part in the smooth running of the client care service.
TOUN COLE
Paralegal
After graduating from Leicester University with an LLB, Toun worked as a Contract Paralegal for several international law firms. Her focus was on disclosure, e-discovery and legal research.
Toun has a particular interest in intellectual property law as well as the laws governing cyber security. She based her legal research and reform module on the latter whilst studying for her LLM. Toun particularly enjoys applying this knowledge to work conducted by the firm’s Data Breach Department.
Toun is currently studying the LPC at BPP Law School with a view to qualifying as a Solicitor.
KIERA BASI
Paralegal
Kiera completed her undergraduate law degree at City, University of London. After completing her degree, she went on to complete her LPC LLM at the University of Law, Moorgate.
Kiera has always had a passion for a career in law. She had undergone various work experience placements at both high street and city law firms. Kiera has been exposed to areas such as employment, commercial litigation, commercial/residential property and probate. Kiera hopes to one day qualify as a commercial solicitor.
RABIA BHATTI
Paralegal
Rabia is a recent graduate of the LPC and LLM course from the University of Law. During her undergraduate degree at the University of Hertfordshire, she participated in client interviewing and trial advocacy and have extensive experience in this.
During Rabia’s studies, she worked in various law firms in London to gain experience in different law fields. She also wants to specialise in Medical Law.
ARTIOLA BERISHA
Client Care Supervisor
Artiola has strong foundations and experience in family, Immigration and criminal law. She has now joined Pogust Goodhead to explore international litigation and to pursue her career as a solicitor for England and Wales.
Artiola gained a first class honours degree in LLB law, she then went on to complete her masters and her LPC at the university of law.
She is fluent in Albanian, Kosovan and English.
Artiola has taken part in many prison visits and police station interviews for clients with language barriers, this has not only helped her grow but also helped the firm with our international clients.
Artiola developed an avid interest in multi-jurisdictional matters, where she directly assisted international clients and their local counsel in the drafting and translation of legal documents.
THOMAS BIRCH
Assistente Jurídico – Atendimento ao Cliente
Tom se formou na Nottingham Trent University, recebendo a nota máxima em seus módulos de Direito do Trabalho e Comércio Internacional. Tom vai estudar para seu LPC em tempo parcial a partir de setembro.
Antes de ingressar no PGMBM, Tom trabalhou como Consultor de Recrutamento para Profissionais Financeiros Sênior, contratando Diretores Financeiros e Controladores Financeiros para empresas multimilionárias. Tom também trabalhou como arrecadador de fundos de porta em porta, arrecadando mais de £ 200.000 para instituições de caridade respeitadas. Ele está procurando utilizar sua experiência em vendas para iniciar sua carreira como advogado.
SIMRAN BUDWAL
Paralegal
Simran graduated from the University of Westminster with an LLB before completing her LPC with an MA in Business Law and Management at the University of Law.
Prior to joining Pogust Goodhead in 2020, she undertook pro bono work with the Westminster Law Clinic. This involved dealing with client claims in areas such as employment law, commercial law and environmental law. Professionally, Simran previously worked in law firms both in Leeds and London and draws upon this experience in her work on the Mercedes-Benz NOx Emissions Group Litigation.
Simran has an interest in commercial law, employment law and legal technology. She has undertaken extensive research on technology in the legal sector and the possible skills required of future lawyers. She is passionate about working in a claimant-based litigation firm and is looking forward to developing her skills whilst working at Pogust Goodhead.
NAOMI CARVALHO
Paralegal
Before joining Pogust Goodhead in 2021, Naomi graduated with a Law degree at the University of Sussex and went on to complete her LLM at BPP University.
She has previously undertaken pro bono work as a Legal Advisor at the Citizens Advice Bureau and as a Debt Advisor at South West London Law Centres.
Since joining the team at Pogust Goodhead, she has furthered her interest in group litigation law. Naomi also speaks fluent English, Spanish and Portuguese.
JESSICA LLANEZ
Paralegal
Jessica graduated from the King’s College London with a degree in European Studies and Spanish.
She decided to enter the legal profession upon completion of a 3-month volunteer programme in Uganda working with remote communities to develop their primary school curriculum and raising awareness of sexual health through campaigns revolved around HIV prevention and Women’s Rights. She completed the graduate diploma in law (GDL) in 2020 with distinction.
After completing the GDL, Jessica undertook Pro Bono work at a free law clinic in London. She helped individuals with no access to legal services and offered guidance on issues of immigration, employment and family law. Jessica joined Pogust Goodhead as the firms core values of defending the rights of individuals through claimant-based litigation is aligned with her passions as a legal professional.
MATHUZA MATHANARASA
Paralegal
Mathuza is currently studying PGDL and having earned a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Finance at Queen Mary University of London, she is eager to use her knowledge of both fields to her advantage and progress further within the legal career.
Mathuza always had a passion to step into the legal profession, which was further enhanced when she became a legal assistant for a Conveyancing solicitor during her undergraduate studies along with the work experience of shadowing a junior solicitor at a city law firm.
She aspires to strengthen her commercial litigation knowledge whilst working as a paralegal at PGMBM. She has worked on the firm’s group litigation claims against Mercedes-Benz and Uber.
GUY JOHNSON
Head of Quality and Client Policy
Guy graduated from Staffordshire University with a degree in Psychology and Literature.
An experienced manager, Guy has a background in dispute resolution, underwriting, and communication management within both the public and private sectors.
He joined Pogust Goodhead as a manager for our Client Care Team in August 2020.
JUDITH ABELOVSZKY
Finance Director
Judith is a senior finance professional who brings with her fifteen years of extensive finance and management experience. She has previously worked in senior finance roles in Start-ups, Scale ups and Private Equity. In her role prior to joining PGMBM, she was a key part of the management team responsible for growing a UK based online estate agency from 30 to 275 employees.
Judith has a degree in Finance from the University of Hertfordshire. She is an ACCA (Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) qualified accountant.
DOUGLAS VENANCIO
Communication & Business Development Coordinator
Douglas, a native Brazilian from Rio de Janeiro, graduated from Herbert H. Lehman College in New York City, (USA) with his degree in Business Administration and Marketing.
Douglas joined Pogust Goodhead in February 2021 as an Office & PA Assistant. He is extremely passionate about helping others, determined, and willing to support and provide consistent assistance based on his broad knowledge, strong analytical and business skills.
LAURA FORSYTH
Paralegal
Laura graduated from the University of Liverpool with a degree in Law. Whilst studying for her degree, she took a particular interest in social justice after gaining an insight from her involvement with the Liverpool University Law Clinic.
Laura joined Pogust Goodhead in the summer of 2020 after completing her degree and is currently enjoying working within the Medical Product Liability Department. She looks forward to starting her LPC at the University of Law in September 2021.
JANINE GOBEL
Intake Administrator
Janine is committed to helping women who have been sterilized with Essure after she herself experienced the adverse effects of the method.
That is how she ended up at Pogust Goodhead and is why she now works hard for the cause, representing affected women in the Netherlands.
Janine has supported the women emotionally for years and now helps them to get their files in order.
LUCRETIA HOFF
Administrative Assistant
Lucretia was herself a victim of Essure and it is for this reason that she is committed to holding the manufacturers of the product responsible.
She is happy to utilise her experience to provide administrative support for Pogust Goodhead.
ELLEN DARROCH
Receptionist & Secretary
Ellen is an experienced secretary and has worked for various personal injury law firms during her career.
She enjoys a role in which she can meet and work with people from different walks of life.
JANICE FAULKNER
Client Liaison
Janice works as a client liaison for Pogust Goodhead and was a victim of the Essure device herself.
She assists with an Essure support group for other affected women and is proud to be working at a firm that seeks justice for other women in her position.
KRISTINE TRAN
Paralegal
Kristine graduated from the University of Warwick with a degree in Law with German Law. She has undertaken comparative legal studies in China and Germany before returning to England to pursue a legal career.
During university, Kristine balanced her legal studies with volunteering roles; she provided high-quality pro-bono advice to local vulnerable people at the Warwick Law Clinic, and she corrected injustices caused by the capital punishment system in the USA with the Death Penalty Project.
Kristine’s passion for social and environmental justice and her experience in dealing cross-jurisdiction shines in her work.
ORLA EGAN
Project Coordinator
Orla joined PGMBM as an Administrative Assistant in June 2020, having just completed her final year at the University of Liverpool. She graduated the following month with a degree in English Literature and Philosophy before being promoted to Office Manager.
Now working as a Project Coordinator, Orla has been given the opportunity to travel to Manchester to assist the legal team on the Fundão Dam Litigation.
She has a strong interest in ethical judgement, strengthened by the philosophical side of her degree. This reflects the ethos of PGMBM.
SALEHA AKHTAR
Paralegal
Saleha completed a degree in law at the University of Westminster in November 2019.
After joining PGMBM in June 2020, Saleha has mainly focused on the Mercedes Diesel Emissions case.
Having been involved in various internships and client service roles, Saleha is adept in client care and administrative matters. Saleha will be commencing her LPC LLM in January 2021 whilst pursuing her specific interests in Intellectual Property and Commercial law.
LUKE VILLIERS
Associate
Luke holds an LLB (Hons) / BA (Hons) from the University of Western Australia and was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor (Western Australia) in 2014.
Luke qualified with the State Solicitor’s Office of Western Australia where he conducted civil and regulatory criminal litigation on behalf of the State Government. He advised and appeared as counsel before the Magistrates, District and Supreme Court on a range of prosecutions and public law matters, including human rights challenges concerning WA’s gender reassignment legislative regime.
n 2015, Luke read for the LLM (International Law) at the University of Cambridge as a Frank Downing QC Scholar. After his LLM, Luke undertook clerkships with leading law firms specialising in investor-state arbitration and public international law. He subsequently worked for the House of Commons International Trade Committee and the UK Department for International Trade advising on international trade law and policy issues, and negotiating new Free Trade Agreements with multiple countries.
MARC BOELENS
Business Operations Manager
After his study of business economics and a post-graduate in investment management, Marc worked for almost 10 years as an investment manager.
In 2004 he switched to a medium-sized Dutch law firm and worked there for more than 15 years as office director.
With a sidestep to an IT-related company as operations manager, he joined Pogust Goodhead in July 2021 as Business Operations Manager in Amsterdam to open the Dutch office.
BEHAFARID HASSANI
Paralegal
Highly compassionate with a drive to succeed, Behafarid is committed to ongoing professional development at Pogust Goodhead while continuing to volunteer with organisations supporting refugee and migrant communities.
NICOLA MCGARAHAN
Legal Administrator
Nicola joined Pogust Goodhead in July 2021, having previously worked in legal costs for over 6 years and in outplacement for several years before that.
She brings with her vast experience in administration, project coordination, and client care.
LUÍSA COVOLAN
Project Manager
Luísa graduated from the University Centre of Serra Gaúcha with a degree in International Relations. Whilst at university, she led the Academic Directory of Students and organised study groups which focused on human rights. Upon graduation, she received a distinction in her class after achieving outstanding results in the National Student Performance Exam.
Whilst in Brazil, Luísa served the government of her municipality, participating directly in the creation of the Municipal Youth Policy. She was also involved in the constitution of the International Relations Office.
She joined PGMBM in 2020, motivated by her passion for making the world a better place. Luísa is also a campaigner for gender equality and social justice, volunteering for the Migration Centre and participating in several projects within the Secretariat on Policies for Women.
SOPHIE WIESENEDER
Social Media Manager
After achieving her BA in Business Consultancy, Sophie moved from Austria to London to pursue an MA in International Marketing. She graduated in 2020.
During and after her undergraduate studies, she worked in the field of social media and developed campaigns for leadership coaching and digital formats for national book presentations. Sophie worked in one of Germany’s most successful brand consulting firms, where she developed strategies for international businesses in various fields. She was also involved in building a German start-up’s brand, where she was responsible for the fundraising of Africa Amini Alama; a private initiative that supports medical care for people in need in Tanzania.
Sophie is passionate about providing clients the information that they need to make informed choices. She provides support to current and prospective clients on social media in the hope that they will find the justice they deserve.
LYLIAN MEIRA
Associate
Lylian graduated from Universidade Paulista in Brazil with a degree in Law. She also holds a post-graduate degree in Labour Law from the Damasio University, Brazil.
Lylian is a Brazilian qualified lawyer in London. She has extensive experience in consulting and preventive law with public and private companies. Lylian also has extensive experience working as a counsellor and in the labour litigation field throughout Brazil.
Outside of her work as an Associate, Lylian is engaged in numerous volunteer projects. At present, she is working in a bilateral organisation called Lex Anglo-Brasil which is committed to strengthening ties between Brazil and the UK. She is fluent in both Portuguese and English.
LUKE STOKES
Paralegal
Luke studied the LLB at the university of Law whilst taking internships at a Brixton Law firm. Luke Completed with a lower-second Class degree. He is hoping in future to study the LPC should an opportunity arise.
Luke has developed an interest in protecting clients by providing as much personal Legal care as possible and is currently helping a client on a pro-bono basis on a noise nuisance complaint.
Since joining in April, Luke has been predominantly working in the Emissions Team, playing his part in the smooth running of the client care process.
SANDRA MENTEL
Data Analyst
Sandra has recently graduated from Newcastle University with a degree in Law. She started at Pogust Goodhead in April 2021 as a client care paralegal based in the London office, working primarily on the Diesel Emissions Claim.
She is currently also studying towards her LLM at Queen Mary University, London with particular focus on International Human Rights and Policing.
FELIPE NOBREGA
Client Services Quality Coordinator
Felipe graduated from the Unicesumar with a degree in Law, and has five years of experience as Paralegal in Brazil. After graduating, he decided to improve his skills abroad, living in the U.S.A, Italy, and Ireland, working with sales, and always fascinated to learn about new cultures.
Felipe is in the process of completing his Master’s in Business Administration at Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University, and has already completed the Marketing and Accountancy module.
Felipe is fluent in English, Portuguese and has an intermediate level of Spanish. He joined Pogust Goodhead in 2021 and has been actively involved with the British Airways Data Breach Group Claim.
EMILY PABBI
Paralegal
Emily completed her degree in BA Philosophy and Law in 2019 at the University of Essex. She later went on to study her Masters degree in Medical Law and Ethics at the University of Law and completed this in 2020.
Emily is a Paralegal in the Client Care Support Team working on the British Airways Data Breach case, Uber Employment case and the Mercedes Emissions case. She is passionate about supporting individuals who would otherwise find it hard to implement their voice in their search for justice.
Emily has worked in many different areas of law and has gained passion and interest in Medical Law, which is illustrated in her choice of LLM, Family Law and Employment Law.
CHARNE’ ROSSOUW
Paralegal
Charne’ is a South African LLB graduate who graduated from the University of Free State in South Africa. Charne’ also completed her LPC in South Africa and wrote and passed her Attorney’s admissions exams.
Charne moved to the UK to pursue her Career as a solicitor within England and Wales and on her path to further develop her legal career, Charne’ completed her GDL at the University of Law London in 2020 and is looking to start the LLM LPC in the near future.
Charne is fluent in English and can also speak Afrikaans.
She joined PGMBM on the litigation team and is now working on Uber, Diesel Emissions Scandal and has worked on the BA data breach claim.
Charne’ is passionate about commercial law, corporate law and cyber law.
KHAZENA RUSSELL
Paralegal
Khazena completed her LLB at the University of Leicester in 2018 and holds an LLM in International Business Law from Queen Mary University of London after graduating the following year.
Khazena joined Pogust Goodhead in 2020 after four years’ working as a manager in multiple customer service roles.
IAN SQUIRES
HR & Talent Acquisition Coordinator
Ian studied History at the university of Chichester, Specialising in early modern European history. He then spent 5 years working in the events industry, providing staffing and logistical support for some of the largest evens in the world such as: Wimbledon, Royal Ascot and The Brit awards.
Ian is now looking to broaden his experiences in the legal field, and brings a wealth of client care experience with him.
EMILY TAYLOR
Paralegal
Emily’s interests surrounded life sciences from a young age and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Biomedical Science from the University of Manchester.
After graduating, she partook in some work experience to explore potential careers. Emily became enthralled in a career in Law and decided to diverge her future career prospects by studying the GDL. Since then, she has continued her legal journey by working as a paralegal and recently began her studies on the Legal Practice Course.
JESS LILLEY
Digital Marketing Manager
Jess joined the marketing department at Pogust Goodhead in 2020, bringing with her a wealth of knowledge in content creation and marketing strategies.
Before joining Pogust Goodhead, Jess worked for publishing companies within the intellectual property law sector and the medical sector. She has collaborated on content with lawyers, medical professionals, and business leaders from around the world.
At Pogust Goodhead, Jess is in charge of all things related to content and digital marketing, helping the firm reach the widest possible audience to ensure everyone has the access to justice they deserve.
ELISA THOMASSET
Trainee Solicitor
Elisa graduated from the University of Grenoble with a double degree reading French law and Foreign Languages. She also holds a master’s degree in International Business Law from the University of Kent.
Elisa completed an LLM Law Conversion at BPP Law School. Whilst at university, she worked as a student director within one of BPP’s Pro-bono programmes called Immigration Tribunal Friends.
She has a strong interest in Human rights and cross-border litigation. Elisa is fluent in English, French and Spanish.
Elisa joined Pogust Goodhead in 2021 and is primarily working on the British Airways data breach compensation claim.
MARC WILLIAMS
Paralegal
Marc is a law graduate of the University of Sheffield and has completed the LPC at the University of Law.
During his studies, Marc developed a particular interest in the environment, having undertaken a research project on the European Union Timber Regulations at undergraduate level and a dissertation on environmental migrants at a post-graduate level.
BUSHRA YANFUL
Client Services Quality Co-ordinator
Bushra graduated from Brunel University London, and from BPP in 2019.
Bushra has experience in several legal sectors which includes criminal law, housing law, immigration, litigation, commercial litigation, wills and probate and others. Her main interests are in international arbitration & International Human rights and commercial law.
Bushra hopes to gain a training contract and qualify in the near future.
In her free time, she assists in arranging charity fundraising events, mentoring the youth and her entrepreneurial ventures.
OWEN TAYLOR
Head of Solutions
Owen graduated from the University of Central Lancashire with a degree in Business and Finance.
He joined the Pogust Goodhead team in December 2018 as a Proclaim Developer, responsible for the maintenance and improvement of business-critical systems. After several successful workflow initiatives, he has taken on the challenge of managing the growing the IT team and developing IT solutions as the firm continues to expand.
With a background in both process improvement and compliance, Owen strives to work in accordance with his values of integrity and truth. He has run several businesses over the past 5 years, including development contracting and Windows maintenance.
ROCKY MUSCIA
Information Security Analyst
Rocky was born and raised in North America. He graduated from Berkeley College of New York in 2011 with a joint degree in Information Technology Management and Justice Studies.
His love for technology has motivated him to achieve several CompTIA IT certifications since, with the latest being the Secure Infrastructure Specialist Certification.
He aims to advance his career into the cyber security sector.
LAUREN VEEVERS
Media Manager
Lauren has worked in the media for over a decade, reporting on breaking news, current affairs and worldwide events.
After leaving her occupation as a journalist, working for the likes of The Sun, the Daily Mail, Independent and Telegraph, she turned to public relations and for the last few years has been putting legal firms front and centre of mainstream media.
Helping businesses achieve brand awareness, communicate with clients and stakeholders is a passion for Lauren and she is thrilled to be taking Pogust Goodhead on this journey.
PRISCILA ROSSI
International Communications Manager
Priscila graduated with a degree in Advertising and Marketing from the Nossa Senhora do Patrocínio University, in Brazil.
Whilst studying, she developed a campaign for a non-profit organisation which helped young children with autism. She was involved with raising awareness, fundraising and influencing both people and companies to contribute to the cause.
Prior to joining Pogust Goodhead, Priscila has worked in in-house marketing departments for start-ups and ecommerce industries, and has lived in Brazil, Italy, the USA and the UK, gaining vast cultural, personal and professional experiences along the way.
Priscila also acknowledges the importance of personal data and its security. She is certified in the EU General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR 2016/679), and actively works to protect the rights of Data Subjects to ensure the firm is compliant with the Regulations.
CAMPBELL MACDONALD
Client Care Supervisor
Campbell graduated from the University of Tasmania with a BA, majoring in International Relations and Politics. His focus was within the field of geopolitics and how it affects the world we live in.
During his studies, he represented his college in numerous meetings with the local council. He worked with various sectors of the community to make sure that young people had input on decisions that have an impact on their daily lives. He brings this same determination to PGMBM to strive for what is right and fair.
Campbell moved from Australia to the UK in early 2020 and is now a Client Care Supervisor in London.
EMMANUELLA EKWEGH
Legal Administrator
Emmanuella is a highly motivated and enthusiastic Business and Finance graduate.
Fluent in three languages: English, Italian and Twi and with experience in the Legal and Administration industry.
She is eager to put her linguistic skills, alongside her acquired legal and administrative skills into practice at Pogust Goodhead.
SIMON ALCOCK
Director of Public Affairs
As Director of Public Affairs Simon brings together political strategy, external relations and communications expertise along with a passion for holding the powerful to account and getting justice for people.
With over 18 years experience in politics, public affairs and campaigning Simon is a specialist in running campaigns that resonate with the public and impact on policy. At Pogust Goodhead, Simon is responsible for developing public affairs strategies and building relationships across different sectors.
Prior to joining Pogust Goodhead, Simon worked for environmental organisation ClientEarth, including leading their award-winning campaign to clean up toxic and illegal air pollution across Europe.
Before that Simon worked as a political advisor to British politician Ed Miliband for over 10 years, both in government and in his position as Leader of the Opposition.
IBUKUN ALABI
Legal Director
Ibukun qualified as a solicitor of England and Wales in September 2013 and specialises in commercial litigation. Prior to joining PGMBM, Ibukun acted on a broad range of complex commercial and tortious disputes including claims listed in The Lawyer’s top 20 cases of the year in which the relevant proceedings commenced.
She has also acted in group claims and claims supported by third party litigation funding. She has acted for and against banks, national and international law firms, private equity firms, other corporate entities and HNWIs. Ibukun also has international arbitration experience and is a member of the New York Bar.
TONY WINTERBURN
Partner
Tony graduated from the University of Hull with a degree in Law before completing his LSF at the Chester College of Law.
He has over 30 years’ experience advising clients on all aspects of commercial disputes, including procedures to avoid disputes, early settlements and trial expertise. Prior to joining Pogust Goodhead, Tony was Senior Litigation Counsel at a large property development and retail company after being a Partner at a number of national and international law firms.
Since joining Pogust Goodhead in September 2018, Tony has been the Lead Solicitor on both the Volkswagen NOx Emissions Group Litigation and the British Airways Data Breach Group Litigation.
ALISON JACKSON-CARTER
Chefe de Comunicações Corporativas
Alison tem dez anos de experiência ajudando empresas a construir sua marca e se comunicar de maneira eficaz com suas partes interessadas. Uma especialista em alcançar consumidores por meio de transmissão, ela ganhou prêmios da indústria por seu trabalho em campanhas de mídia, comunicações internas e, mais recentemente, por um podcast.
Ela trabalhou extensivamente em comunicação de crise, gerenciamento de risco e recuperação de reputação, mas tem o maior prazer em ajudar empresas a contar suas histórias por meio da mídia. Antes de trabalhar como RP, ela trabalhou como jornalista para a Sky News, Five News e no programa This Morning da ITV.
Como Chefe de Comunicações Corporativas, Alison será responsável pelas estratégias de mídia e relações públicas na PGMBM.
Em seu tempo livre, ela ajuda as pessoas a desenvolverem suas habilidades de falar em público.
HARRY FOX
Head of Client Services
Harry brings a wealth of experience in managing teams, contact centres and start-up operations across a range of financial products and services in areas such as Payment Protection Insurance, pensions and mortgage endowments.
With a passion for customer-centric solutions, Harry joined in 2020 with extensive knowledge of claims, complaints and compliance having spent 15 years at the Financial Ombudsman Service.
At Pogust Goodhead, Harry is responsible for heading up the recently established Client Care Team based in Putney, London. Here, expert paralegals provide front line advice, guidance, and support to clients across a broad spectrum of the firm’s cases.
KAROLINA PATZWALD
Legal Project Manager
Karolina holds an MSc in Finance (Economic Policy) from SOAS University of London and an M.A. in International Relations from the Erasmus Mundus programme between the University of Vienna, Macquarie University Sydney and Wroclaw University.
Karolina has several years of experience working with top-executives of the international financial sector, including some of the leading banks around the globe. She developed her skills as an Adviser at an international banking association, where she was in charge of managing board relations. She started her professional career at renowned diplomatic institutions such as the United Nations, the German Foreign Office and the European Parliament, working for the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the 8th legislative period.
Having gained professional and academic experience in nine countries so far, Karolina is passionate about immersing herself in different cultures, with a particular love for Latin America.
JORDAN LEE
Global Director of Business Development
Jordan graduated from the University of Liverpool with a first-class honours degree in Law (LLB) and is currently undertaking an Executive LLM in Litigation Management at Baylor University.
Jordan focuses on providing support to the Partnership in ensuring strategic business initiatives and projects are successfully executed in a joined-up fashion. He works closely with our C-Level leaders, Legal Directors and Senior Associates in order to develop a bird’s eye view across Pogust Goodhead and to contribute to the long-term success of the firm. Alongside these responsibilities, Jordan is also working towards qualifying as a solicitor in England & Wales and has completed the Legal Practice Course at BPP Law School, London.
Joining Pogust Goodhead in 2018, he brings formidable work ethic and exceptional commercial awareness to his role.
TOM AINSWORTH
Partner
Tom is a solicitor-advocate specialising in complex high-value litigation.
Before joining Pogust Goodhead, Tom graduated from the University of Oxford with a Law degree in 2009, trained and practiced as an associate at Clifford Chance between 2010 and 2015, and then spent over 5 years at a leading US firm in London.
He has litigated a wide range of cases for claimants and defendants in the English Commercial Court, Chancery Division, Queen’s Bench Division, and Court of Appeal, often in parallel with related proceedings in other jurisdictions. He has also acted in commercial arbitrations under the rules of various international arbitral institutions.
Aside from litigation, Tom is experienced in the conduct and settlement of criminal investigations involving the UK Serious Fraud Office, the French Parquet National Financier, and the US Department of Justice.
On a pro bono basis, Tom has represented appellants in the First-Tier Tribunal in relation to their disability benefits entitlements and has advised charities concerning wrongful convictions, prison reform, and LGBT+ rights.
TAYLOR BURGESS
Legal Director
Taylor is a New Zealand qualified Senior Associate in Pogust Goodhead’s London office. She holds a BA/LLB (Hons) from the University of Auckland and an LLM from Yale University.
Taylor has previously conducted litigation on behalf of Government for New Zealand’s Crown Law Office. She has appeared before the New Zealand Court of Appeal and High Court on a range of public and tort law matters, including challenges to the scope of state immunity for alleged human rights violations by members of the armed forces and to powers of health and social service agencies.
Prior to joining Pogust Goodhead, Taylor worked with the British Pregnancy Advisory Service as a Bernstein Human Rights Fellow.
CATHERINE QUARINI
Medico-Legal Director
Catherine graduated from the University of Oxford, Worcester College with a degree in Physiological Sciences in 2004 and a degree in Medicine in 2007. After qualifying as a doctor, she worked in General Practice as well as a variety of hospital specialties before specialising in psychiatry and public health. She then spent 5 years as Senior Editor of The Lancet Psychiatry journal.
Catherine’s longstanding interest in medical ethics and the law led her to undertake the GDL at the University of Law, London, from which she graduated in 2019. Catherine joined PGMBM in February 2019 as Medicolegal Director.
PETE GALLAGHER
Partner
Peter graduated from the University of Cambridge with a degree in History.
Qualifying as a Solicitor in September 2014, he specialises in litigation and has acted for a range of corporate clients in complex domestic and international litigation at both Shearman & Sterling, where he trained, and White & Case.
Before joining Pogust Goodhead in December 2020, Peter acted in a broad range of commercial disputes and also has experience in contentious matters relating to data protection, breach of confidence, intellectual property, defamation, bribery and corruption, and regulatory investigations.
JOSHUA KUSHNER
Senior Associate
Joshua Kushner is a highly experienced trial attorney and international arbitration practitioner who currently serves as senior litigation counsel for Pogust Goodhead’s Miami office. In this role, Joshua oversees a variety of civil and commercial litigation matters on behalf of group and individual plaintiffs for the firm in the United States. A veteran homicide and sexual crimes prosecutor, Joshua’s individual plaintiffs’ practice focuses on the civil representation of victims of violent crime, sexual assault, harassment, and discrimination.
In fighting for the rights of clients, Joshua leverages his professional experience representing the varied interests of major corporations and ultra-high net worth individuals throughout the world, including his experience serving as a preferred outside litigation attorney for Major League Baseball in New York City. Over several years, Joshua developed an intimate knowledge of the inner workings of professional sports leagues, teams and player organizations, as well as the litigation defense strategies executed by prominent athletes, sports organizations, and similarly situated high profile individuals and entities around the world. This highly specialized experience combined with a formal background in broadcast journalism and complex criminal investigations allows Joshua to guide clients through high profile, media driven, litigation effectively and efficiently.
Outside of the firm, Joshua is a husband, proud father and undergraduate professor of criminal justice in South Florida. He also serves on the faculty for the National Institute of Trial Advocacy and as a training instructor for state and federal law enforcement agencies in the fields of complex criminal investigation and effective courtroom presentation.
JESSICA PINEDA
Senior Associate
Jessica graduated from the Andrés Bello Catholic University in Venezuela and holds an LLM in Oil and Mining Law from the Monteávila University in Caracas as well as an LLM from King’s College London.
She specialises in both international arbitration and litigation and public international law. She has advised and represented private entities and sovereign states on international dispute resolution and public international law issues including investment arbitration, international environmental law and international human rights.
Prior to joining Pogust Goodhead, Jessica worked as an Associate in the public law practice group and the energy disputes team at Baker & McKenzie, where she advised clients on investment arbitration, international environmental law, administrative law, corporate social responsibility and human rights.
More recently, Jessica worked in London as a Senior Associate at Volterra Fietta where she represented a European State on five investment treaty disputes under the ICSID rules in relation to the mis-selling of financial products. A further highlight was her representation of a Caribbean state in an investment treaty arbitration, before the Permanent Court of Arbitration, in relation to claims arising out of alleged environmental damage and indirect expropriation of a wildlife sanctuary in Barbados. She also provided advice in relation to proceedings before the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, as well as on international humanitarian law issues.
SARAH SAMUEL
Senior Associate
Sarah graduated from Liverpool John Moores University with an LLB before achieving a distinction in her LPC at the Chester College of Law.
Sarah qualified as a solicitor in 2013 and joined Pogust Goodhead in 2019. She is a member of the Medical Product Liability Department which handles group actions against manufacturers of defective medical devices. She currently oversees the day-to-day running of the Hormone Pregnancy Test Litigation, together with Head of Department, Lisa Lunt.
Sarah has a litigation background, with experience in both clinical negligence and product liability claims. She was involved with the Steering Committee on the DePuy Pinnacle Metal on Metal Group Litigation.
Sarah has a mixture of claimant and defendant experience, having worked for a large national defendant firm acting on behalf of NHS Resolution in relation to clinical negligence claims being advanced against their member Trusts. Her experience gives her a unique ability to assess cases from both sides of the fence as well as an inside knowledge of defendant mindset and processes.
JADE WEINER
Legal Director
Jade graduated amongst the top of her class with an LLB degree from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, where she was awarded numerous academic prizes. Jade attended the University of Oxford, where she completed the BCL degree (with merit) as a Weidenfeld Hoffmann Trust and Chevening Scholarship recipient. Growing up in a post-apartheid South Africa and being the descendant of Holocaust survivors instilled a commitment to justice, freedom and equality.
Upon being admitted as an Attorney and completing a training contract in the banking and finance division of ENS Inc., the largest law firm in Africa, Jade chose to leave corporate practice to assist various non-profit organisations. She gained invaluable experience in entrepreneurship, womXn’s empowerment and skills development. During this time, she also qualified as a Notary Public and Mediator. Focusing on promoting and honouring the rule of law, Jade worked at the Helen Suzman Foundation NPO and the Bingham Centre for the Rule of Law in London.
A highlight of Jade’s career is serving as the Law Clerk for Chief Justice Mogoeng at the Constitutional Court, the apex court in the South African judicial system.
At Pogust Goodhead, Jade works with a dedicated and passionate team on the Emissions cases in pursuit of holding vehicle manufacturers accountable for their environmental impact. Jade enjoys writing for law journals and volunteering with various empowerment projects and people around the globe because ‘every deed matters’.
‘By three things is the world sustained: law, truth and peace.’
MELISSA FERRARI
Attorney at Law
Melissa leads operations for the dynamic and diversified local Miami team, bringing years of experience in US-European cross-border litigation in mass and class action proceedings involving consumer claims, medical products, and environmental issues.
Initially a medical malpractice defense litigator with a background in nursing, Melissa now focuses on representing the interests of international plaintiffs.
She is certified as an expert in international law by The Florida Bar and is one of fewer than 150 Civil Law Notaries in Florida and fewer than 300 Civil Law Notaries in the United States.
Melissa is the President of the Board of Directors (Vorstand) of Global Justice Network, a Swiss-based non-profit association composed of international claimant counsel who work together to support victims via cross-board litigation projects.
Melissa also serves as an advisor to a litigation finance consultancy company based in Boston, Massachusetts.
ANA CAROLINA SALOMÃO
Partner
Ana is an LL.M. by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), with her main studies at the fields of financial law. She also has a Master in Economic Law by the University of São Paulo (USP), the same institution where she graduated, and a Post-graduate Diploma in Tax Law.
Ana Carolina is an experienced financial lawyer that has been working in financial markets as in-house counsel as well, as an associate to law firms, for over 13 years. She started her career young, focusing on taxation of financial products and corporate transactions before broadening her professional performance to act as a transactional lawyer in derivatives transactions, private and public equity deals, and, most recently, third-party financing of judicial claims.
Within Pogust Goodhead, she manages the interaction between the firm and its funders, acting as an in-house transactional lawyer and as investors relations.
Devoted to philanthropy, she seats at the board of Associação Projeto Gauss endowment fund, which offers scholarships and mentoring for disadvantaged Brazilian students who believe in education as transformational tool.
MARCELO MOURA
Legal Director – International Group Claims
Marcelo graduated from the Federal University of Minas Gerais with a degree in Law and is a qualified lawyer registered with the Brazilian Bar Association.
Throughout his decade-long legal career, Marcelo has worked as a Solicitor, Professor of Tax and Constitutional Law, Legal Advisor to the Minas Gerais Attorney-General and Executive In-House Counsel of an internationally traded energy corporation with more than 150 affiliates.
More recently, Marcelo entered the legal technology industry, leading the international expansion programme of a world-renowned British start-up specialised in predictive analytics.
Parallel to his activities in law, Marcelo has co-founded and restructured several successful business enterprises in Brazil.
JORDYN MITZMAN
Associate
Jordyn received her Bachelor of Arts in English from the George Washington University in 2015, going on to receive her Juris Doctorate from Benjamin Cardozo Law School in 2019. Throughout law school, Jordyn worked at two personal injury law firms where she developed her passion for representing and assisting injured victims and their families.
After law school, Jordyn joined a prominent law firm where she practiced complex commercial litigation, franchise law, and corporate law. Jordyn then joined PGMBM in October of 2020 as an Associate Attorney at the firm’s Miami office. Jordyn is working primarily on the advancement and growth of the firm’s Section 1782 discovery practice.
Jordyn is admitted to practice law in Florida, as well as before the United States Middle District of Florida. She is a member of the International Law chapter of the Florida bar and, as of 2021, is a Registered Foreign Lawyer.
Jordyn was born and raised in New York, surrounded by people from many cultures and backgrounds. This, along with her own culturally diverse heritage, has allowed Jordyn to gain valuable insight and perspective into the varying circumstances and injustices people experience on a daily basis. This has inspired her to be involved in social justice reform and multiple charities that assist in, among other things, bringing clean water and educational opportunities to impoverished children.
CRAIG KENWORTHY
Head of HR
Craig graduated from Lancaster University with a degree in Business Studies.
Craig has worked in Human Resources management for 10+ years across the hospitality, publishing, PR & marketing, private healthcare, and HR consultancy sectors. He has extensive experience operating within SMEs, supporting growth and implementing HR practices that complement the culture of an organisation.
Craig believes that HR is most successful when they establish a foundation of trust, transparency, and accountability and hold himself to that same standard.
TOM GOODHEAD
Managing Partner | CEO
Tom graduated from the University of Oxford, Magdalen College, with a degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. He also holds a Master’s degree in Politics and Education Policy from the University of Cambridge, Clare College.
Tom subsequently qualified as a Barrister, graduating from City University, London and the University of Law.
Since being called to the Bar in 2010, Tom has dedicated his career to representing the interests of individuals from all around the world in litigation against some of the world’s most powerful companies.
He is currently litigating two of the largest group litigations in UK legal history (claims against BHP and Volkswagen) and, over the course of his career, he has successfully recovered tens of millions of pounds in settlements and verdicts.
Passionate about business and human rights, Tom believes that whilst capitalism is the world’s most powerful tool to lift people out of poverty, transnational corporations must be held to account for violations of the environmental, social, and competitive orders.
Tom has a love for the country of Brazil and its people. He initiated the Fundão Dam litigation and has been travelling to Brazil numerous times to meet with current and potential claimants. He finds the state of Minas Gerais, with its landscape scattered with the scars of the extractive industries, reminiscent of his upbringing at the foot of the SIrhowy Valley in Pontymister, Wales.
HARRIS POGUST
Chairman
Harris L. Pogust has spent his career representing people who have been injured not only by the negligence of others but also by the greed and intentional actions of large corporations across the United States. His work has seen him come up against software companies, manufacturing companies, and pharmaceutical companies, as well as the federal government.
For over thirty years, Harris has been litigating, bringing to trial, and settling claims on behalf of his injured clients. He has over twenty-five years of experience working as lead counsel in class action suits, state court mass tort programs, and federal multidistrict litigations programs.
Recently, Harris has served as Lead Counsel in MDL 1736 – In re Celexa and Lexapro Products Liability Litigation (E.D. Missouri) and Liaison Counsel in In re Paxil (Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, No 1503). He was Class Counsel and represented thousands of African-American farmers in discriminatory lending claims against the United States Department of Agriculture, and was Co-Lead Counsel in the matter of In re Azek Decking Sales Practices Litigation.
Harris is regularly quoted by national publications, has testified twice before the United States Senate, is a guest lecturer at conferences across the country, and has served as lead counsel in numerous landmark class action litigations.
PEDRO MARTINS
Founding Partner
Pedro graduated from Fundação Getulio Vargas with a degree in Law and holds master’s degrees in Law from the Insper Institute for Education and Research and King’s College London.
He is a dynamic and dedicated dispute resolution professional who has over ten years’ experience working for leading law firms in Brazil and the United Kingdom. Prior to moving to the United Kingdom to further his studies and to work for Herbert Smith Freehills, Pedro was an Associate at Demarest Advogados and worked separately as a mediator. His experiences as a mediator compounded his interest in alternative dispute resolution.
Upon moving to London, Pedro undertook an LLM in International Dispute Resolution at King’s College with a focus on negotiation and the use of technology applied to conflict resolution. Whilst a blossoming career in corporate litigation beckoned, Pedro became increasingly attracted to representing claimants in ‘David v Goliath’ cases. He left a City law firm to join PGMBM, playing a critical role in its creation. He immediately then began work on the Fundão Dam Litigation.
Within the Fundão Dam Litigation, Pedro has led the representation of over 200,000 individual claimants and worked with leading class action administrators to aggregate and administer claims. Further, he has undertaken a critical role in working with expert witnesses on issues relating to jurisdiction and access to justice.
TOMÁS MOUSINHO
Partner
Tomás graduated from the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais with a degree in Law and holds a master’s degree in International Tax Law from the University of Coimbra. He also developed his research on the freedom of establishment regulations within the European Union at the Humboldt University of Berlin.
He is a qualified lawyer registered with the Bar Associations of Brazil and Portugal. Specialised in navigating international tax and private law, Tomás has over ten years of legal experience. Prior to moving to the UK, Tomás was the founder of his own Brazilian law firm, in-house counsel to one of Brazil’s most successful technology start-ups, and a serial entrepreneur.
Since moving to London in 2018, Tomás has worked hard with the other founding partners of PGMBM. He was instrumental in aggregating clients in the Fundão Dam Litigation and personally managed the conduct of the litigation for over 500 businesses against BHP.
Tomás is a native of Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais and his family have very deep and historic roots in the state.
KATE DAVIES
Partner
A former commercial litigator in leading national and international firms, Kate subsequently spent a number of years as in-house legal counsel to the audit regulator and accountancy and actuarial professional oversight body, most recently heading up their legal team as Director of Legal Services and Data Protection Officer.
She is an extensively experienced lawyer, leader and Board advisor and brings a blend of disputes practitioner as well as heavyweight regulatory and compliance expertise.
Kate advises PGMBM on the whole range of legal, regulatory, commercial and governance issues arising out its representation of clients and its decisions and strategies as a business and global leader in group litigation.
ZOE COTTER-MORTON
Chief People Officer
Zoe has been working in Human Resources for 14 years and has had a varied background running International HR departments at the BBC, start-ups, and more recently at an Omnicom agency where she headed up their diversity, equality, and inclusion programmes.
Zoe’s passion is helping create inclusive and supportive workplaces. She firmly believes that HR cannot do their job without the constant feedback of the people they support, so her door (virtual or otherwise!) is always open to new ideas on how to improve our culture.
BENEDICT WILLIAMS
Chief Financial Officer
Benedict is a senior finance professional with a background in economics, finance, investment banking and management consulting. He has extensive experience in leading finance and cross-functional project teams across a wide range of different industries.
Attending the University of Bath, Benedict graduated in 2007 with a degree in Economics. He went on to become a Chartered Accountant (Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland), Chartered Tax Adviser (Chartered Institute of Taxation), and in 2018 was named in ICAS: Top 100 CA’s under 35.
Prior to joining PGMBM in 2020, his most recent role was as the Head of Finance for the European Business Unit where he oversaw multiple complex construction projects for a globally recognised, publicly listed real estate developer.
LISA LUNT
Partner
Lisa graduated from Liverpool John Moores University with a degree in Law.
At Pogust Goodhead, she is the head of the Medical Product Liability Department, which handles large group actions against manufacturers of defective medical products. Since joining the firm in February 2019, Lisa has worked closely with the American arm of Pogust Goodhead, who have successfully litigated cases against some of the world’s leading manufacturers.
Lisa is currently leading the transvaginal mesh and Essure contraceptive device litigations and, most notably, has recently been instructed on the Tavistock case following the publication of the Cass Review Interim Report. She was also previously instructed by the Chair of the Association for Children Damaged by hormone pregnancy testing. Lisa’s work has resulted in a great deal of media attention. Lisa has provided expert commentary on news features, including BBC Breakfast, Sky News, other local news channels and radio broadcasts, as well as major newspaper publications.
Lisa represents thousands of injured people seeking redress against huge corporations in multiple jurisdictions. Lisa is the ‘go-to’ solicitor for defective medical products.
As a member of APIL dealing with high value and complex claims of maximum severity, Lisa was one of 5 solicitors in the country on the Steering Committee for the DePuy Pinnacle Metal on Metal Group Litigation.
RICHARD HILL
Chief Technology Officer | Chief Marketing Officer
Richard graduated from the University of Brighton with a degree in Mathematics & Computer Science.
With over eighteen years’ experience in the digital marketing, cinema and media industries, he has cultivated several early-stage start-up companies from inception through to exit. Richard enjoys leading and developing cutting edge software solutions through the effective leveraging of his commercial, product development, digital marketing, and technical background.
Richard leads Pogust Goodhead’s global technology initiatives and is responsible for our information security, systems and the software development of innovative platform capabilities that help cement Pogust Goodhead as the global leader in group litigation.
JOÃO MALHEIROS
Global IT Director
João graduated from the Federal University of Minas Gerais with a degree in Computational Mathematics.
Throughout his career, João has played a pivotal role in several start-up companies having worked as a Director in both technological and administrative positions. He is also an administrative technician and previously won 1st place in an entrepreneurship contest at the Merrill Lynch Global Business Challenge.
Joining the PGMBM team in 2018 as Global IT Director, he is responsible for developing internal technology methods to ensure the operation, maintenance, and enhancement of information and security systems in all of our offices.
CHRIS PORTON
Chief Information Security Officer
Chris graduated from the University of Oxford, Queen’s College with a degree in Mathematics.
He has nearly 30 years’ experience in the retail, financial markets, government and insurance sectors. Throughout these sectors, he has gained broad experience in delivering complex projects alongside diverse teams across multiple departments.
Following a background in consultancy with Accenture, Chris held positions in product development, change management and enterprise risk before specialising in information security. He is a Certified Information Security Manager and holds further certifications in both implementing and auditing the International Standard for Information Security, ISO27001.
Prior to joining Pogust Goodhead, Chris took a UK retailer on their journey to compliance with the ISO27001 standard as well as achieving compliance with PCI-DSS, the information security standard for organisations that handle debit and credit cards.
Chris is primarily responsible for defining, developing and implementing the information security strategy whilst protecting the firm from cyber security threats.
CHRIS NEILL
Partner | Global Legal Services Director
Christopher received his LLB from Kingston University before going on to complete the LPC at the University of Law. Global Legal Services Director at Pogust Goodhead, he holds a high-level strategic role encompassing overall management of cases litigated in the English and Welsh courts by Pogust Goodhead from a litigation processing, costs management and business development perspective.
Joining the firm in 2019, his primary focus was to support the firm’s groundbreaking Fundão Dam Litigation. The 2015 collapse resulted in Brazil’s worst ever environmental disaster, with BHP now facing a $5bn claim for damages. He also leads a number of Pogust Goodhead’s other high-profile cases.
An experienced litigator, Christopher has a wealth of experience acting for claimants in group and multi-party litigation, as well as complex commercial, product liability, clinical negligence and personal injury disputes. During the early stages of his career, he successfully managed a team specialising in pursuing irregularity claims against financial institutions arising from the mis-selling of Payment Protection Insurance and other financial products – an endeavour which recovered millions of pounds for his clients.
Christopher’s formidable commercial instincts are second to none and he is relentless in the pursuit of his client’s interests. He has a reputation for consistently forging strong stakeholder relationships and prides himself on being someone that his clients can rely on. Having drawn high levels of praise from a variety of sources, he was shortlisted for ‘Rising Star Award’ at the Modern Claims Awards 2017.
CÉLINE BARNWELL
Partner
Céline graduated from the School of Oriental and African Studies (University of London) with a degree in Chinese and Law.
She qualified as a Solicitor in September 2012 and specialises in litigation and arbitration. Before joining Pogust Goodhead, Céline acted in complex domestic and international litigation and arbitration matters at Herbert Smith Freehills, where she trained, and subsequently at Jones Day where she spent nearly 6 years.
Céline brings valuable international experience to multi-jurisdictional disputes having acted in litigation and arbitration before courts and tribunals in many jurisdictions in areas including energy and natural resources.
JEREMY EVANS
Partner
Jeremy graduated from the University of Kent with a degree in Law before completing his LPC with distinction. He qualified as a solicitor in October 2014 and specialises in litigation.
Before joining Pogust Goodhead in August 2019, he was at Leigh Day and worked on the DePuy Pinnacle Metal on Metal Group Litigation concerning over 600 clients with failed hip components.
Jeremy works principally on the firm’s international case portfolio, leading the Orange Juice Cartel Litigation and playing a pivotal role in the Fundão Dam Litigation.
He is also a member of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) and is accredited as a litigator.
TOBIAS MILLROOD
Of Counsel
Tobias has over 25 years of complex litigation experience, with a focus on pharmaceutical and medical device litigation.
He has served in numerous Court-appointed leadership positions in pharmaceutical and medical device litigations. Most recently, he was appointed by Hon. F. Dennis Saylor as Co-Lead Counsel in In re Zofran (Ondansetron) Products Liability Litigation, MDL 2657 and by Hon. Rebecca Pallmeyer as Co-Lead Counsel in In re Zimmer Nexgen Knee Products Liability Litigation, MDL 2272.
Tobias was the first to file a hormone therapy lawsuit in the nation in 2002 and went on to dedicate the next twelve years to the litigation. He tried four hormone therapy cases, obtaining jury verdicts for the Plaintiffs in all four, including verdicts in November 2009 for $34.3 million and December 2011 for $72.6 million.
Earlier in his career, Tobias garnered several notable achievements, including serving as co-counsel in a $22 million medical malpractice verdict in Wallace v. Fraider (Phila. CCP Mar. 2001), one of the highest in state history.
Residing in Philadelphia, USA, Tobias is President of the American Association for Justice (AAJ) for 2020-21. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Association for Justice (PAJ) Board of Governors and the Philadelphia Trial Lawyers (PTLA) Board of Directors.
ZACHARY POGUST
Associate
Zach graduated from Bucknell University in 2015 where he earned a BSc in Business Administration. While at Bucknell, Zach also played on the Men’s Varsity Golf Team. After graduating, Zach attended the University of Pennsylvania Law School where he graduated cum laude in 2018. Whilst at Penn, Zach served as a Senior Editor on the Journal of Law and Social Change as well as was vice president of the Penn Law Sports and Entertainment Society. During law school, Zach also volunteered with the Criminal Rights Expungement Project.
Following his academics, Zach began his legal career with the law firm of Proskauer Rose LLP in their New York City office. Zach worked in Proskauer’s private equity and mergers & acquisitions groups before joining Pogust Goodhead in February 2021 as an Associate Attorney in the firm’s Miami office. He is admitted to practice law in New York.
SHAHIRAH COOWAR
Legal Assistant
Shahirah graduated in 2012 in the discipline of International Relations, she decided to study as a Legal Secretary in 2018 and worked supporting a QC Property Barrister for two years before joining Pogust Goodhead as a Legal Assistant to the senior team.
BETHAN LEWIS
Trainee Solicitor
Bethan graduated from the University of Leeds with a degree in Law and joined the firm in 2018 after graduating. She is currently studying for the LPC/LLM at Liverpool John Moores University.
Bethan has a longstanding interest in claimant litigation and previously worked for the Welfare Rights Unit of Leeds City Council, where she supporting client claims. At Pogust Goodhead, Bethan is working on the Essure Litigation.
She is a keen advocate for women’s rights and an acting ambassador of the Women Breaking Barriers Network at the University of Leeds’s Law School. Bethan is also a blogger for women’s reproductive health matters and is an active member activist of PCOS (Cysters in the UK) and Endometriosis UK support groups.
Bethan hopes that her role at Pogust Goodhead will support her women’s rights advocacy in areas such as medical product liability.
GABRIELLA BIANCHINI
Partner
Gabriella graduated from the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo with a degree in Law and holds a master’s degree in Law from King’s College, London. She’s a leading, multi-jurisdictional lawyer whose impressive abilities have been repeatedly attested to by both colleagues and clients. Gabriella trained as a lawyer at leading law firms in Brazil and Germany before moving to London to further her studies. Following graduating with distinction from her LLM in International Dispute Resolution at King’s College, Gabriella joined PGMBM.
At PGMBM, Gabriella has personally led the representation of dozens of municipalities, bringing claims for over $2bn in the Fundão dam litigation. The excellence of her work in the Fundão dam litigation has led to her being approached by other Brazilian municipalities seeking overseas legal representation including the Municipality of Brumadinho following the collapse of Dam I at the Córrego do Feijão mine.
In the Brumadinho litigation against TÜV SÜD in Germany, Gabriella is leading a team of over 20 PGMBM lawyers and co-counsel to represent her municipal client and over 120 families of the deceased. Gabriella is a relentless campaigner for gender equality and social justice.
KATHERINE BYRNE
Paralegal
Katherine graduated from Trinity College Dublin with a degree in Law and German. In 2020, she completed an Advanced Diploma in Immigration and Asylum Law. She is currently preparing to sit the New York Bar exam.
Alongside her work with Pogust Goodhead, Katherine is an immigration consultant with a Paris-based firm and volunteers with various NGOs which specialise in international human rights law and providing assistance to asylum seekers and refugees.
She joined Pogust Goodhead in 2021 and is currently working on the “Dieselgate” case.
LARA CAHILL
Paralegal
Lara graduated with a degree in Psychology from Liverpool Hope University. She also holds a master’s degree in Health Psychology from Liverpool John Moore’s University.
She joined the Pogust Goodhead team in 2020, having previously worked in the healthcare industry.
TACY MATIAS CORREIA
Paralegal
Tacy Matias Correia graduated with a degree in Law, from the University of Coimbra, Portugal. Furthermore, she has spent a year abroad at the University of Barcelona, where she was able to focus on Corporate and International Private Law. During her studies in Barcelona, she received an Academic Excellence award in Corporate Law.
Tacy also holds a masters’ degree in Corporate Law and Legal Practice, specialising in Arbitration from the University of Lisbon. As part of her dissertation Tacy conducted research on resolving Pharmaceutical disputes through arbitration, for the obtention of Authorisation of Introduction in the Market (AIM).
Upon the conclusion of her masters, she worked for a Portuguese law firm, before relocating to London to pursue her career in law.
Her interests lie in International law, Arbitration, and cross-jurisdictional cases, as well as Business and Human Rights.
VENDULA DEVODIER
Paralegal – Czech Language Specialism
Vendula is currently studying for a master’s degree at the Charles University Law School in Prague alongside her work as a Paralegal at Pogust Goodhead.
She started her own law practise with the help of WOOD & Company Group, the largest investment bank in Central and Eastern Europe. In 2015, she joined a Prague-based law firm where she discovered her passion for international litigation. At Pogust Goodhead she is working on the firm’s NOx Emissions portfolio.
DARIA KSANF
Trainee Solicitor
Daria joined Pogust Goodhead in October 2019 having completed her law degree in June 2019. Since starting at Pogust Goodhead, Daria has mostly been focused on assisting with the Fundão Dam Litigation.
She previously interned at both Norton Rose Fulbright and Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, as well as at Pogust Goodhead, which led to her being offered a full-time position at the firm. Daria speaks fluent English and Russian, and intermediate French and German.
At the University of Oxford, Daria was the President of Lincoln College’s Law Society and was actively involved in promoting access to university for children from disadvantaged backgrounds through a variety of initiatives such as tutoring and workshops. She graduated with a 2:1 in Jurisprudence.
In her free time, Daria enjoys cooking, swimming and learning new languages.
ISADORA CARTOCCI MARLOW
Trainee Solicitor
Isadora received her master’s degree in Law from the Insubria University of Como, Italy and has expertise in criminal law, restorative justice and transitional justice.
She worked for law firms in Italy and Germany before relocating to London to pursue her career in the law. A particular achievement of Isadora’s was her research on the 2016 Colombian Peace Agreement under the tutelage of Professor Grazia Mannozzi and on Afro-descendants representation in Latin America for the LA Institute of the Freie Universität Berlin.
Isadora maintains her commitment to social and environmental justice through her volunteer work for local women’s rehabilitation centres and non-profit organisations M2R and XR International.
ADÈLE BOURGUIGNON
Trainee Solicitor
Adèle graduated from Toulouse 1 University Capitole with a degree in French and English Law, which also featured a year abroad at Sheffield Hallam University. She holds master’s degrees in General International Law from the Pantheon-Sorbonne University, European Union and World Trade Organisation Law from the University of Rennes 1 and an International Trade and Foreign Investments Law from the University of Ottawa.
Since joining Pogust Goodhead in 2018, Adèle has spent two months in Brazil working on the Fundão Dam Litigation. This involved travelling throughout Brazil meeting both local victims and indigenous tribes affected by the disaster.
Adèle has always been interested in international law and human rights. She has a long-standing involvement in supporting at-risk children in Europe and West Africa and, in 2015, volunteered at the minor’s detention centre in Lomé, Togo where she offered mental and legal support, working closely with the Togolese Ministry of Justice to improve rehabilitation programs and prison conditions.
CHIARA PRIOVOLOU
Trainee Solicitor
Chiara obtained her LLB in English and European Law at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL) and a Licence de Droit at Panthéon-Assas (Paris 2). She also completed an LLM in International Business Law at QMUL with Distinction and a further Master’s in Corporate Law (Paris 2). Throughout her degrees, Chiara has focused her studies (amongst others) on Competition Law, Conflicts of Laws, and International Law.
Prior to joining Pogust Goodhead, Chiara was a Corporate Paralegal at a French law firm where she assisted in corporate transactions and drafting of corporate legal documents including merger agreements and creations of LLCs.
Chiara joined Pogust Goodhead in 2020 as a Litigation Paralegal based in the London Office. She started her Training Contract at the firm in September 2022.
As a Trainee Solicitor, Chiara has been assisting in conducting extensive factual and legal research, claim-filing, and drafting of pleadings and correspondence for Defendants and Courts.
FRANKA PUES
Paralegal
Franka received her bachelor’s degree in Law and Chinese from SOAS, University of London, and went on to complete her master’s degree in Human Rights and Ethics at King’s College London.
Prior to joining Pogust Goodhead in 2021, she worked for NGOs focusing on criminal and economic justice. As an advisor to the German Foreign Office, she has conducted extensive research on arms control and emerging technologies.
VICKI REES
Paralegal
Vicki graduated in both Business & Administration and Principles of Business & Administration.
She is an experienced administrator who had worked within the NHS for 10 years, gaining extensive experience liaising with members of the public.
She joined Pogust Goodhead in 2020 and is driven to achieving justice for our clients.
ERIN SEXTON
Trainee Solicitor
Erin graduated from the University of Liverpool with a degree in Law and is currently coaching the University’s Jessup International Law Moot Court Team.
During her summers as a student, Erin was herself able to experience a vast spectrum of legal work. Examples of her exposure includes social welfare and housing law as a Triage Volunteer at the Liverpool Law Centre, child sexual exploitation during a University-funded research apprenticeship, international legal drafting in the Mergers, Acquisitions and Joint-Ventures Department of an international law firm and special education needs as a Student Advisor at the University of Liverpool Law Clinic.
Currently, Erin is enjoying working in the firm’s Medical Product Liability Department after receiving a distinction in her LLM/LPC at the University of Law.
SARAH VOULAZ
Trainee Solicitor
Sarah graduated from King’s College London with a BA in European Studies and French. She completed the GDL in 2018 and holds an LLM in International Law from the School of Oriental and African Studies (University of London). As part of her LLM dissertation, Sarah wrote about the Nigerian Shell cases in connection to the Business and Human Rights Framework.
Prior to joining Pogust Goodhead, Sarah worked in the environmental practice of White & Case’s London office where she assisted with advisory work on environmental and social compliance issues for project financings. She also interned at Advocates for International Development and the United Nations Association UK.
Sarah is passionate about environmental law, business and human rights, access to justice and the rise of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards.
CALLUM WALTERS
Trainee Solicitor
Callum graduated from the University of Manchester with a degree in History. He completed his GDL at BPP Law School and is now undertaking the LPC part-time at the same institution.
Callum decided to make the transition into a legal career after completing an in-house placement at the defence contractor, General Dynamics UK. During his time at BPP University, Callum undertook pro bono work for the homeless and housing charity Shelter UK. Here, he assisted clients on matters concerning poor housing conditions and disputes with landlords.
Since joining Pogust Goodhead in January 2019, Callum has spent a month in Brazil working on a £5bn lawsuit against the mining company BHP. The trip involved travelling to affected areas throughout the country, meeting with victims of the 2015 Fundão Dam Disaster and learning about how their lives have been affected by its collapse.
The highlight of the trip was being offered a unique opportunity to spend two days with the Pataxó, an indigenous tribe. It helped him to learn more about indigenous culture, their persecution and how the collapse affected their livelihoods.
ELEONORE BUISSON
Trainee Solicitor
Eléonore holds a BSc in Technology and Business with First Class Honours from University College London (UCL) and a master’s degree in Economic Law from Sciences Po Paris.
She joined Pogust Goodhead after working as part of Sciences Po’s Legal Clinic on the Fundão Dam litigation in Brazil, undertaking Private International Law research for a Brazilian Professor who acts as an expert for the firm.
Eléonore also completed the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) at BPP Law School and is due to qualify as a solicitor of England and Wales in April 2023.
Since joining the firm, Eléonore has assisted with cross-jurisdictional matters, notably the Fundão Dam litigation in Brazil, competition cases, and environmental claims resulting from oil pollution in Central Africa.
MEABH KIRBY
Trainee Solicitor
Meabh graduated from Trinity College Dublin with a first-class Bachelor of Laws degree. In 2020, she completed the Bachelor of Civil Law at University of Oxford, graduating with distinction.
Prior to joining Pogust Goodhead, Meabh acted as Judicial Assistant to Judge Michael W. Fitzgerald at the United States Federal Court (Los Angeles), interned at the office of the Attorney General of Ireland and worked as Research Assistant to Professor of Law, Laura Hoyano.
Meabh has a keen interest in social justice and private international law. In 2019, she worked for a humanitarian organisation in Moria Refugee Camp; she has also published legal research for Oxford Pro Bono Publico in their report ‘‘Best Interests of the Child’ Assessment in Immigration Detention Proceedings’. As a result of these interests, she brings enthusiasm to her work on Fundão Dam Litigation.
YARA ALI-ADIB
Associate
Yara graduated from the University of Sheffield with a first class LLB and completed an LLM at the University of Edinburgh with distinction. She was awarded the Tercentenary Award for Excellence by Edinburgh Law School, the Vaughan Bevan Memorial Prize by Sheffield Law School and the Inderpal Rahal Memorial Trust Scholarship from Garden Court Chambers.
Yara is motivated to achieve justice for her clients. She has expertise running cases against discrimination using the Equality Act 2010. Yara has worked on large group claims for equal pay and has Court of Appeal experience.
She previously worked for both Trade Unions and for non-governmental organisations (both domestically and internationally). Yara has also held a teaching position in the School of Law at the University of Edinburgh.
Yara is proud to be a trustee of the Discrimination Law Association and enjoys writing articles on upholding legal rights and ensuring legal redress is accessible for all.
ROMONA HARDING
Associate
Romona graduated with a degree in law in 1997. She worked in business development for over 12 years where she established an interest in corporate responsibility and good governance. She returned to the law in 2010 to qualify and was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 2013.
She joined Leigh Day in 2014 to develop her experience of corporate responsibility relative to the law and qualify as a Solicitor. Romona worked on a variety of cases including the Shell Nigeria Group Litigation, Zimmer Durom Metal on Metal Hip Group Litigation (and assisting on the larger DePuy Pinnacle Metal on Metal Group Litigation), Infected Blood Public Inquiry, Volkswagen NOx Emissions Group Litigation and several individual clinical trials cases.
Away from legal practice, Romona spent a year in Northern Ireland lecturing on business law, corporate social responsibility and corporate governance. She is passionate about using her skills to encourage best practise, mitigate risk and to eliminate negative impacts on our world.
In her spare time, she enjoys running, swimming and cycling. She also likes to travel.
CAROLINA BATISTA
Associate
Carolina graduated from the Milton Campos Law School with a degree in Law. She later specialised in civil and procedural law with a master’s degree at the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, and in International Law at the International Law Centre in Brazil.
Born in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, Carolina developed an interest in learning about different cultures from an early age. She was a Rotary Exchange Student in Wisconsin, USA and in Pátzcuaro, Mexico. In 2009, while in Wisconsin, she received a Rotary Youth Leadership Award (RYLA) and worked as a volunteer in Mississippi, helping to rebuild houses destroyed by Hurricane Katrina.
Carolina is now a Brazilian qualified lawyer with an interest in environmental law. In 2018, she became Counsellor of the Basin Committee in Brazil and worked towards sustainable development of the São Francisco River Basin.
Prior to moving to the United Kingdom, Carolina worked at a law firm specialising in civil and consumer law in Belo Horizonte. Since joining Pogust Goodhead, Carolina has worked on with the indigenous communities, businesses and individual victims of the collapse of the Fundão Dam in Mariana, Brazil.
MICHAEL BURKE
Legal Director
Michael graduated from Liverpool John Moores University with an LLB before successfully completing his LPC at the same institution.
He joined the Roll of Solicitors in 2016 and has over 10 years’ experience working in a variety of legal sectors such as personal injury, costs and financial negligence.
After joining Pogust Goodhead in September 2019, Michael quickly became part of the core teams on both the Volkswagen NOx Emissions Group Litigation and British Airways Data Breach Group Litigation. He has an interest in data breach compliance and enjoys honing and exercising his litigation skills.
ROBERTA CARNEIRO
Senior Associate
Roberta graduated from the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais with an LLB and holds a postgraduate degree in commercial law from the same university.
She has over 8 years’ litigation experience and is registered with the Bar Association of Brazil (OAB). Specialised in commercial law, she was Counsel for some of the largest companies and multinationals in Latin America whilst also working within some of the top commercial law practices in Brazil. Her work has previously involved litigation management, advocacy and launching appeals before the Brazilian Supreme Court. Roberta moved to London in 2020 in order to expand her career internationally and further her studies.
Outside of her career, Roberta has also worked as a volunteer in Brazil where she has acted as an English teacher for beginners, basic and intermediate levels.
JESSIKA CASTANON
Associate
Jessika graduated from the University of Brasilia, Brazil with a degree in Law and holds a joint master’s degree in International Criminal Law from the University of Amsterdam and Columbia University.
She has experience in human rights litigation after serving as a Legal Adviser for a Brazilian Judge at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and has also served for a criminal lawyer in white-collar cases in the aftermath of the Carwash Scandal in Brazil.
Outside of her legal activities, Jessika engaged in numerous volunteer projects. She taught English for children and teenagers in one of the most disadvantaged communities in the surroundings of Brasilia in the Voluntearchers Program and has also assisted in the organisation of UN Models in various schools in Brasilia, whilst also providing international law and human rights law lessons for the participants.
Jessika’s native language is Portuguese, but she is also fluent in English and Spanish.
CATARINA FERRAZ
Associate
Catarina graduated from the Federal University of Pernambuco with a degree in Law. She also holds an LLM in Commercial Law from Queen Mary University, during which she was elected as a Student Representative. She was also awarded a Chevening Scholarship, which is a UK awards scheme aimed at developing global leaders.
During her time in academia, she participated in extra-curricular activities such as acting as a Professor’s Assistant in Bankruptcy Law, organising international legal tournaments and participating in mock trials. She was also involved in legal research projects, one of them being sponsored by the Brazilian National Council for Scientific and Technological Development which resulted in her presenting in their annual seminar.
Catarina has also been engaged in numerous volunteer projects. She taught History for high school students from the public system in Brazil in a project called Vestibular Cidadão and acted as the Content Coordinator of Brazil Forum UK 2019, one of the biggest conferences to discuss Brazil in the world. In the latter, Catarina mediated the Democracy Panel which discussed the biggest challenges in the current political situation of Brazil.
Her professional experience includes participation in general business law matters such as bankruptcy, mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructurings, negotiating international contracts, setting up new companies and dealing with government bodies on company related issues. Additionally, she worked in the World Cup Organization Office in Brazil, assisting with administrative contracts and brand protection issues, as well as in the Federal Court of Appeal of the 5th Region.
BRUNA FICKLSCHERER
Legal Director
Bruna graduated from the Mackenzie Presbyterian University in São Paulo with a degree in Law and holds two master’s degrees in both Human Rights and Civil Procedure.
Before joining Pogust Goodhead, Bruna practiced as a lawyer at leading law firms in Brazil which dealt with top banks and organisations in tax law.
Throughout her time in Brazil, she also gained important experience working with an appellate Judge at the Court of Appeals of the State of São Paulo, benefitting from hands-on service in matters relating to civil law and civil procedure law and advising in class action judgments.
Additionally, Bruna has taught civil law and civil procedural law in preparatory courses for the Brazilian Bar Association Examination before moving to London to further her international portfolio.
EMILY HEWLETT
Senior Associate
Emily graduated from the University of Surrey with a degree in Law before completing her LPC with an LLM in Law, Business and Management at the University of Law in Guildford.
She joined Pogust Goodhead as an Associate in May 2020 and is currently assisting with cross-jurisdictional matters, such as the Fundão Dam Litigation.
Prior to joining Pogust Goodhead, Emily completed her training contract at a firm in Kent where she assisted with a variety of litigious cases concerning personal injury, medical negligence and cross-jurisdictional disputes.
Emily has a strong interest in human rights and access to justice, having previously volunteered in Nicaragua with rural communities. She continues to mentor unaccompanied refugee minors in her spare time.
THAÍS FERREIRA
Senior Associate
Thaís graduated from the Federal University of Rondônia (UNIR) with a degree in Law. She holds a M.A. in Human Rights (suma cum laude) from Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg (FAU), where she was awarded the Deutschlandstipendium, a German scholarship program to award the most gifted students from FAU.
Thaís has experience in Brazilian law in the areas of criminal, civil and administrative law, as well as in International Human Rights Law and International Criminal Law. She worked at the Rondônia State Court of Justice (TJRO), initially as a legal clerk in the Criminal Section and later as a legal advisor to judges in the Appeals Chamber. She was officially praised in the Court Gazette for the services provided in the Appeals Chamber. Thaís also worked as a Visiting Professional at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for almost a year, where she provided legal advice to Judge Alapini-Gansou on issues of human rights and international law.
During her bachelor’s degree, Thaís worked a research assistant in the research group Ethics and Human Rights at UNIR, where she conducted research on the foundation of human rights and criminology, a research project funded by the Scientific Initiation Scholarship Program of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq). She has published articles on the philosophy of human rights.
At Pogust Goodhead, Thaís works in transnational cases, with a focus on environmental protection and human and collective rights.
FELIPE HOTTA
Partner
Felipe is a Brazilian Lawyer, admitted to the Brazilian Bar Association in 2018 and a European Lawyer, admitted to the Portuguese Bar Association in 2019. He graduated with an LLB at the University of São Paulo and is an LLM Candidate in Environmental Law at Queen Mary University of London.
During his time at the University of São Paulo, Felipe and his friends created the Environmental Law Clinic Paulo Nogueira Neto; a group focused on developing environmental and sustainability awareness inside and outside the University.
Felipe joined Pogust Goodhead in 2018 and, since then, has been representing Brazilian victims of human rights abuse against multinationals companies. Before that, Felipe worked as a pro bono lawyer at the Departamento Juridico XI de Agosto of the University of São Paulo, providing legal assistance to those who cannot access justice.
GLADUELA LAWRENCE
Associate
Gladuela graduated from the University of Liverpool with an LLB. She qualified as a Solicitor in November 2016 and continued to pursue her passion of advocacy, attaining a Solicitor Advocate qualification in February 2017.
Gladuela has extensive experience in handling matters from inception to trial. She has successfully conducted advocacy before Circuit Judges in both Fast-Track and Multi-Track matters.
Coming from a background primarily comprised of litigation, Gladuela has successfully litigated numerous catastrophic injury and clinical negligence matters of up to £8.8M in value; including cases concerning spinal cord injuries, quadriplegia, cerebral palsy, cauda equine syndrome and severe brain injuries. Gladuela also has experience of property litigation where she acted for corporate companies both in residential and commercial property matters. This experience has enabled Gladuela to develop a vast knowledge and understanding of the CPR and relevant case law, as well as excellent client care and communication skills which she utilises daily in her work at PGMBM.
With a keen interest in pursuing justice, Gladuela prides herself on maintaining integrity during the perpetual pressures of litigation, she boldly challenges erroneous thinking during the process and demystifies legal jargon to aid the understanding of the lay person.
ANNA MOON
Associate
Anna read Law at the University of Cambridge, graduating in 2015. Since then, she has obtained distinction-grade master’s degrees from the University of Warwick in 2017 (LLM in International Development Law and Human Rights) and from the University of Law in 2018 (MSc in Law, Business and Management).
Anna trained at a boutique, public law firm in London where she worked for a variety of public bodies. At the same firm, she undertook a five-month secondment to an NHS Trust during the Coronavirus pandemic.
Anna is passionate about equality and human rights and has participated in various related internships – including working in the US on death penalty appeals and in Kenya, working on several access to justice projects in maximum security prisons. She also won the Public Interest Litigation Essay Competition at Warwick University and was awarded an internship based out of the Supreme Court of India and Delhi Commission for Women.
Anna currently works on the firm’s actions relating to Transvaginal Mesh, Primodos and Essure, as well as the Orange Juice Cartel Litigation.
CELINE O’DONOVAN
Associate
Celine read Jurisprudence at the University of Oxford, after which, she achieved a distinction-level LLM in Commercial Legal Practice. She qualified as a Solicitor in England & Wales in March 2021.
Celine has experience practicing dispute resolution in the UK, the USA, and the UAE, ranging from commercial litigation and arbitration to class actions. Having started her career as a Fellow in a boutique Los Angeles litigation firm, she then trained in the UK at an international commercial law firm. She is now pursuing her passion for human and environmental justice by joining Pogust Goodhead’s international team.
Celine predominantly works on the group litigation in England and Wales arising from the collapse of the Fundão Dam.
KAMEN STOILOV
Advogado
Kamen graduou-se no King’s College London com uma licenciatura em Direito de primeira classe. Ele também possui um diploma de LLM de primeira classe pela Universidade de Cambridge, onde se especializou em Direito Ambiental e Resolução de Disputas Internacionais.
Durante seus estudos, Kamen obteve vários prêmios e bolsas de estudo por seu excepcional desempenho acadêmico.
Antes de ingressar no PGMBM, Kamen formou-se em um grande escritório internacional de advocacia corporativa, completando várias vagas com foco em Direito Ambiental e Litígio Comercial. Depois de se qualificar como advogado, Kamen ingressou no PGMBM e tem trabalhado em litígios de grupo nacionais e internacionais com foco ambiental.
JANICE TANG
Associate
Janice is a Hong Kong qualified (pending admission) Solicitor with multi-jurisdictional legal experience (E&W, Hong Kong, P.R.C., Cayman Islands, B.V.I., U.S., Russia etc.). She graduated from the University of Hong Kong with a double degree in Laws and Social Sciences (Government).
Following completion of her Postgraduate Certificate in Laws at the University of Hong Kong, Janice trained at Simmons & Simmons’ Hong Kong office for two years. During this time, she spent six months on secondment in the firm’s Litigation & Arbitration Department in London, with a primary focus on civil fraud and bank disputes. Apart from contentious matters, Janice also has experience in a wide range of transactional work, ranging from investment funds, debt capital markets, acquisition finance to IPOs and M&A.
Janice relocated to London and joined Pogust Goodhead in October 2020. Since joining the firm, she has been working on the NOx Emissions portfolio against various automobile manufacturers.
Growing up in Hong Kong, Janice is trilingual in Cantonese, English and Mandarin.
PAUL HUDSON
Trainee Solicitor
After reading International Politics, Economics and Law as an undergraduate, Paul attended BPP Law School where he undertook an LLM as his qualifying law degree.
Before joining Pogust Goodhead in 2020, Paul spent two years at a global arbitral institution where he featured prominently as part of an internal record-breaking disputes team. His vacation scheme at Bench Walk Advisors LLC compounded his interest for the intricacies of class action case funding.
Paul draws upon his strong commercial acumen and rigorous attention to detail to bring a focused and strategic approach to his work across the firm’s case portfolio.
ANGELINA GODFREY
Paralegal
Angelina completed her BSc in International Environmental Science at the University of Nottingham before starting her Master in Environmental Law and Sustainable development at SOAS University of London.
Angelina has an interest in Environmental and International Law and has studied and gained legal and environmental experience in Austria, Australia and India. Angelina hopes to specialise in environmental law.
ALI BOZOGLU
Paralegal
Ali completed his Bachelor of Law at the University of Istanbul in 2019 as the top student. He came to the UK to study Magister Juris at the University of Oxford with the EU Jean-Monnet Scholarship and Oxford Law Faculty Scholarship. During his Master, he mainly studied Competition Law, IP Law and Legal Concepts of Environmental Law. Afterwards, he worked for a FinTech start-up in London as IP and Privacy Paralegal. As an aspiring solicitor, he also started his GDL at BPP University.
Ali joined Pogust Goodhead in July 2021 and is currently working on EasyJet Data Breach Case and Emission Cartel Case. Having a particular interest in corporate social responsibility, he holds a Representative position at the Pogust Goodhead CSR Committee.
KAYLA DWYER
Paralegal
Kayla graduated from Maynooth University with a degree in Irish law and sociology which also featured a year abroad at Utrecht University. She holds a master’s degree in public international law from Utrecht University with a specialisation in international human rights law.
Kayla previously worked as a dispute resolution and litigation paralegal before joining Pogust Goodhead.
Joshua Neuman joined Pogust Millrood (now Pogust Goodhead) in 2020.
Prior to joining Pogust Goodhead, Josh was an associate at a premier defense firm in the Philadelphia area, representing medical providers in professional liability actions. Josh also represented putative classes in complex civil litigations against pharmaceutical companies.
At Pogust Goodhead, Josh represents individuals in mass tort, products liability, class action, and personal injury claims. Josh serves as an arbitrator in the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas. The primary focus of these complex civil matters includes pharmaceutical drugs and devices, consumer fraud, and harmful products. Josh also represents businesses in commercial litigation matters. As an associate, Josh provides insight throughout each phase of the litigation – including the pleadings, discovery, pre-trial, and trial stages.
Josh graduated with Honors from the University of Michigan, and attended Temple University Beasley School of Law. While in Law School, Josh was President of the Jewish Law Students Association and advocated for students’ rights as a conduct board advisor. Following his first year of law school, Josh interned for Judge Angelo J. Foglietta in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas, and Judge Mary K. White in the Superior Court of New Jersey. He also clerked for two preeminent Philadelphia law firms, giving him the opportunity to participate in depositions, arbitrations, and settlement negotiations.
Outside of his legal practice, Josh is an active board member of the Greater Philly Hillel Network and the Brandeis Law Society. Josh is also an avid sports fan, and enjoys playing softball, football, volleyball, and golf. Josh resides in Center City Philadelphia with his wife and Boston Terrier, Ernie.
Education
• J.D., Temple University Beasley School of Law, 2016
• B.A., University of Michigan, 2013
Jurisdictions
• Pennsylvania
• New Jersey
• Michigan
• United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
• United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
• United States District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
Professional Associations and Memberships
• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• New Jersey State Bar Association
• Philadelphia Bar Association
• Montgomery County Bar Association
• The American Association for Justice
• The Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association
• Pennsylvania Association for Justice
• Oakland County Bar Association
Awards
• Recognized by Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, Rising Star 2020 – 2022
EDMUND BENTSI-ENCHILL
ASSOCIATE
Edmund is a lawyer (England and Wales qualified) with a keen interest in Sustainable Development, Human Rights, and environmental protection. His legal experience includes litigation in the High Court, mediations and arbitrations on multi-million-pound matters concerning fraud, misrepresentation, energy disputes, commodities, infrastructure and construction.
Edmund graduated with a first class degree in Modern and Medieval Languages from the University of Cambridge, and speaks English (native), French, Spanish and Portuguese. After graduating he gained professional experience in the not-for-profit sectors in the UK and Brazil, including working for an NGO that supports Rio de Janeiro’s favela communities with community development programmes and human rights issues. Edmund transitioned to studying law in 2016 to develop experience in global trade, commerce, energy and infrastructure, in order to gain the legal skills necessary to advocate for causes about which he is passionate.
Before joining Pogust Goodhead in 2022, Edmund completed his training contract at HFW and worked in Mayer Brown’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution team (focusing on both contentious and non-contentious construction and infrastructure law).
ABIGAIL HEDGES
Lawyer (English and Welsh Law Qualified)
Abigail is a qualified solicitor (England & Wales) with an international law background and a passion for using the law to protect the environment and human rights.
Abigail holds an undergraduate degree in law from the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom, including a year studying international and European law at the Université de Strasbourg (France). She also holds a master’s in public international law from the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands (cum laude graduate). Prior to qualifying as a solicitor, Abigail worked in a number of different roles including as a freelance reporter at the European Parliament in Strasbourg and a legal intern at the International Secretariat of Amnesty International in London.
From 2017, Abigail trained and worked as a solicitor at the international law firm Baker McKenzie, working in both London and Hong Kong during her training. During this time, Abigail gained experience advising on a wide range of contentious and non-contentious issues, ranging from UK employment law and pensions law to international trade law and European competition law. During this time, Abigail maintained a passionate interest in pro bono work and became heavily involved in numerous different projects with a particular focus on children’s rights, as well as regularly volunteering at her local legal advice centre.
JACK DAHLSEN
Associate
Jack joined Pogust Goodhead’s London office in January 2022. He graduated from Sussex University with a BA (Hons) in Politics and an MA in Conflict, Security and Development before completing both the GDL and the LPC at the College of Law in London.
He qualified as a solicitor from a leading claimant law firm in London in 2017. He has developed significant experience protecting the fundamental freedoms of his clients in a variety of challenging contexts, many of which have attracted considerable media attention. He has worked on high profile litigation before the High Court, the Special Immigration Appeal Commission, the Supreme Court and the Privy Council.
Prior to joining Pogust Goodhead Jack worked as a Solicitor at Birnberg Peirce where he conducted litigation concerning national security.
Jack is dedicated to securing justice for his clients and holding powerful actors to account for their actions, both domestically and abroad.
In his spare time, Jack is a keen swimmer and enjoys live music.
TAHSIN JAMAL
Paralegal
Tahsin completed her Law degree in 2020 with a First Class as well as completing her LPC in 2021 with a Distinction, both at City, University of London.
Tahsin is currently a Paralegal in the Client Care team working on the Diesel Emissions case. She has a passion to provide justice when it is needed and enjoys engaging with clients.
She has undertaken work experience in different fields of law including crime, conveyancing and litigation. She aims to obtain a training contract in order to fulfil her desire of becoming a fully qualified solicitor.
Takeo Kellar is Of Counsel in the firm’s Global Securities Litigation Department.
Takeo has nearly 20 years of experience representing institutional and individual investors in U.S. class action and direct action securities fraud litigation and corporate governance derivative litigation.
Takeo’s extensive experience and strong skills in all aspects of complex and class action litigation in state, federal and appellate courts, provides a valuable resource in developing and implementing redress strategies and litigating favorable resolutions for the firm’s clients.
Takeo is a graduate of the University of California, Riverside (B.A.) and the University of San Diego School of Law (J.D.). Takeo is admitted to practice in the State of California and before the U.S. District Courts for the Northern, Central, and Southern Districts of California, and the U.S. Courts of Appeal for the Third and Ninth Circuits.
Mike Daly is the Managing Partner of Pogust Goodhead’s Philadelphia office.
Mike joined Pogust Millrood (which would later become Pogust Goodhead) in 2014. Prior to joining the firm, Mike was a healthcare litigation lawyer in a large Philadelphia-based defense firm where he represented medical facilities and healthcare professionals in civil liability cases.
At Pogust Goodhead, Mike represents individuals throughout the country in class action and mass tort claims involving consumer fraud, environmental harm, defective medical devices, and harmful pharmaceuticals. Mike spent his first several years at Pogust Goodhead serving as bellwether counsel in the Testosterone Replacement Therapy, Mentor pelvic mesh, GranuFlo dialysate, and Zofran
