Lawyer in the news Who? Jane Williams, 34-year old partner and head of the clinical negligence team at 48-partner East Midlands firm Freethcartwright.Why is she in the news? Represents many of the 78 women who were given incorrect smear reports by Leicestershire's cervical screening programme.

A clinical audit of 403 local women diagnosed with cervical cancer between January 1993 and August 2000 revealed that 122 had discrepancies in their original smear tests, of which 78 were considered to have suffered adversely from the delay in treatment.

These women are claiming for negligence against the health trust.Background: Took her law degree at Nottingham Trent University from 1986-89, followed by Law Society finals at York College of Law 1989-90.

She qualified with Leicester firm Harvey Ingram (now Harvey Ingram Owston) in 1992, before joining Freethcartwright a year later.

She became an associate in 1996 and a partner in 1998.

She has previously acted for a victim of child-killing nurse Beverley Allitt.Route to the case: 'Freethcartwright has a reputation in the field of clinical negligence and a long track record of dealing with group actions such as breast implants and measles, mumps and rubella.

If not co-ordinating the action, then we are usually involved somewhere along the line.

We were also acting for a number of clients outside the audit.' Thoughts on the case: 'First and foremost you must consider the women involved who are suffering a great deal of anxiety.

The hospital has been very quick to set up a helpline and appointments for the ladies with gynaecologists.

We are meeting the trust this week and I am confident the situation will be resolved amicably and without litigation.'Dealing with the media: 'I have had limited experience so it's been fairly difficult.

I think the reporting has been balanced though, which is important, as there was a risk of undermining a very important screening programme.

The last thing you want is women pulling out of the programme.'Andrew Towler