Janice Gardner, Russell Cooke


Who?

Janice Gardner, 40-year-old personal injury and clinical negligence partner at London firm Russell-Cooke.



Why is she in the news?

She represented actress Leslie Ash, who this month won £5 million in damages from Chelsea and Westminster NHS Trust - the highest compensation ever awarded for contracting a hospital infection.



Ms Ash was admitted to hospital in April 2004 with broken ribs and a punctured lung after falling off a bed while having sex with her husband, former footballer Lee Chapman. While in hospital, she contracted a superbug infection that has left her partially paralysed and unable to pursue her career.



Background:

Ms Gardner studied for a history degree at Swansea University followed by a conversion course at the College of Law, York (1989-91) and a training contract with Anthony Gold (1991-93). After practising in London and Manchester for six years, she joined Russell-Cooke in 1999 and was made partner in 2001.



Route to the case:

Referral from a colleague at Russell-Cooke, who is a friend of Ms Ash.



Thoughts on the case:

'Initially, I was concerned about confidentiality and security, and put in place measures to try and protect Mrs Chapman's identity. I was particularly cautious in my approach to third parties, certainly until the proceedings were issued at court and in the public domain. [But] I think her status generally sparked interest and people were keen to be involved - so overall, it had a positive benefit on the case.



'My work on loss of earnings necessitated quite a lot of "showbiz" research, which was fun and something new for me. The trust was very co-operative and indicated a wish to resolve the claim, and I think the general tenor of the litigation was amicable. Was it a fair settlement? Yes, without a doubt - Ms Ash suffered catastrophic injuries which ruined her health and career.'



Dealing with the media:

'The media interest was overwhelming. Generally, I think the coverage has been very balanced, but it is hard to get across to people the reason why the award was so significant - the value of this claim was down to the significant earnings she has lost to date and is likely to lose in the future.'



What attracted you to the law?

'I'm genuinely interested in people and helping them resolve their disputes.'



Any regrets?

'There's one day I'd like to forget. I was a trainee and appearing before a district judge, who has now retired. He was notorious at exposing the frailties of trainees and that's what he did to me. I crawled back over London Bridge to the office to report what had happened.'



Any highlights?

'It was a case of a baby brain-damaged at birth. We decided to go the extra mile, which so often makes no material difference to a case, and ask for sight of the original medical record, rather than just a copy. The information we needed was there in the original record and swung the case in our client's - the baby's - favour.'



Jonathan Rayner