Leigh Day strengthens Cardiff office with two new clinical negligence lawyers

Both Wallis and Amy will work in the clinical negligence team in Leigh Day’s Cardiff office, led by partner Julia Reynolds. The office opened in April 2024 and is located in Llanishen, Cardiff where Cerebral Palsy Cymru has a therapy centre. 

Wallis Crockford joins as a senior associate solicitor with more than a decade of experience. She previously worked at Slater and Gordon and has handled a number of complex cases in a wide variety of areas of medicine. 

Wallis is an accredited APIL senior litigator and was a finalist for the Partners in Costs Magazine Clinical Negligence Rising Star Award at the 2019 Action Against Medical Accidents annual conference. 

Amy Downey joins Leigh Day as an associate, also from Slater and Gordon. She has secured significant outcomes for clients, including a six-figure settlement in a case involving delayed repair of a perineal tear. 

Amy is a member of the Fundraising Committee for Headway Cardiff and South East Wales. She has experience across a wide range of clinical negligence claims, including gynaecological, orthopaedic, oncological, paediatric, neurological and urological cases. She also regularly handles fatal and stillbirth claims. 

Their appointments will strengthen the support available to individuals and families across Wales who have experienced medical harm and are seeking legal representation. 

Wallis Crockford said: 

“I’m thrilled to have joined Leigh Day and be able to contribute to its outstanding reputation for advocating for patient safety, fighting against injustice and ensuring that voices are heard when it matters most. I look forward to working with the very highly regarded Julia Reynolds and working alongside such a talented team.” 

Amy Downey said: 

“I am very proud to be part of a firm known for its commitment to justice, protecting rights and dealing with complex and serious cases. I am privileged to be working with excellent, experienced and highly regarded lawyers in the field. I’m looking forward to growing Leigh Day’s presence in Wales, working with important organisations and representing those affected by medical negligence.” 

Julia Reynolds, partner and head of the Cardiff clinical negligence team, said: 

“I am absolutely delighted to welcome Wallis and Amy to Leigh Day’s Cardiff office. Having worked with both of them previously, I know they are technically strong and dedicated lawyers who will work tirelessly to secure justice for their clients. 

“Their arrival will significantly increase the capacity of our team here in Cardiff and mean that we are able to support more families affected by clinical negligence. 

“Growing the team with lawyers who share our values is essential, and I very much look forward to seeing our Cardiff office go from strength to strength with Wallis and Amy on board.”