LAWYER IN THE NEWS

Who? Mei Li, 28-year-old associate at seven-partner Swansea firm Smith Llewelyn Partnership.

Why is she in the news? Represents Tony Allcock, whose eight-year-old daughter Kymberley, along with her friend Sophie George, was killed by an on-coming train while playing on a railway line last July.

Sophie's parents, former neighbours of Mr Allcock, had taken the girls and their two brothers for a picnic near the railway tracks, and left the girls to play on the track for 20 minutes before the train hit them.

They were convicted this month of manslaughter through gross negligence and are awaiting sentencing.Background: LLB at Kingston University 1992-95, followed by LPC at Guildford College of Law in 1996.

She qualified with Smith Llewelyn in 1998, and has been there ever since.

Route to the case: 'We are quite a high-profile specialist personal injury firm, and Mr Allcock was referred to us by a firm of solicitors that is local to him.'Thoughts on the case: 'My role so far has been to hold Mr Allcock's hand through the criminal proceedings and help him to deal with the media attention.

He welcomed the verdict, and wants to get on with his life, but he himself still feels guilty for allowing his children to go with the couple.

His 12-year-old son Matthew watched the accident happen from inches away and had to relive it all on the witness stand, which was obviously highly distressing for him.

'We are in the early stages of preparing a civil claim for damages on behalf of Matthew - the question is whether to lodge it against the convicted couple or Railtrack, which arguably didn't put clear enough warning signs near the track.'Dealing with the media: 'Although I personally haven't had any past experience, the firm has, and so I had some in-house training and help.

I was surprised at the level of media interest in the case - not only national papers but also television news companies wanted statements, and we dealt with it all on behalf of the client.

The coverage in general has been quite positive.'Victoria MacCallum