Lawyer in the news

Who? Richard Stein, 47-year-old partner at personal injury claimant firm Leigh Day & Co.

Why is he in the news? Represents Ms B, a former social worker paralysed from the neck down after a blood vessel in her neck ruptured a year ago, who this week was granted the right to die by having her life support systems switched off.

Dame Elizabeth Butler-Sloss, the president of the family division, ruled that Ms B was competent to make the decision to end her life peacefully and with dignity.

Background: Degree in politics at Leeds University 1974-77 followed by the CPE at Central London Polytechnic in 1978.

He completed his Bar finals and qualified as a barrister in 1982, and worked in various law centres and local authorities before joining Leigh Day in 1993.

He qualified as a solicitor in 1994 and became a partner in 1998, specialising in public law, human rights and judicial reviews.

Route to the case: 'The legal team wanted to change their solicitor last year, and one of the junior barrister's head of chambers recommended me.'

Thoughts on the case: 'This has been the best conducted case that I've ever been involved with - the judge was fantastic in the way that she was very open to all the difficult ethical issues involved, and encouraged a full and honest debate.

It's quite rare to feel proud of this country's justice system, and know that the right decision has been made, but thanks to the remarkable handling of this case, I do.

The judge actually came down to the intensive care unit to hear my client's evidence at first hand, and even before the verdict came through, my client said to me that she felt her position and feelings were properly understood.

Both of the major players in the case - my client and the judge - are very bright, insightful women and they made the experience a rewarding one.'

Dealing with the media: 'One of my previous clients was Diane Blood, who campaigned to use her dead husband's sperm to father a child, so I'm quite used to media attention.

With this case, the argument was relatively straightforward and so dealing with the media wasn't too difficult.

The firm has employed someone to help with the media and communications side, and she has been invaluable in organising and co-ordinating interviews and appearances.'

Victoria MacCallum