Lawyer in the News

Who? Ann Alexander, joint senior and managing partner of Cheshire-based Alexander Harris.Why is she in the news? Acting on behalf of the families of victims of serial killer Harold Shipman.

Last week, eight national newspapers and broadcasting organisations, and the victims' families applied for judicial review of the Health Secretary's decision to hold the inquiry into the killings in private.

Background: Read law at University College, London, graduating in 1974.

Qualified in 1976 at Manchester firm Linder Myers.

Joined Shufflebottom Webster & Shield in Merseyside as a partner, then moved to Anthony Landes in Cheshire in 1984.

In 1989, she joined David Harris to launch Alexander Harris.Route to the case: 'About two years ago, I had a phone call from a solicitor with a family member who had died in suspicious circumstances.

He wanted advice on how to get the medical records.

The elderly woman was one of Harold Shipman's victims.'Thoughts on the case: 'Because he killed elderly women, the national newspapers were not that interested in the victims, although a lot of the local newspapers have been very supportive...

It's a sad reflection of how our society treats the elderly.' Dealing with the media: 'Many of our clients are not seeking compensation.

They would like an apology and an explanation, but mostly what they really want is to make sure this is not allowed to happen again.

Working with the media can often help to bring issues to the fore.'

Anne Mizzi