Who? Vincent Reynolds, personal injury associate solicitor, Thompsons Solicitors, London.

Why is he in the news? The firm, which represented 114 firefighters affected by the Grenfell Tower fire in claims for personal injury and loss caused by alleged negligence and breach of statutory duty, announced last week that the claims had been settled for £20m. 

Thoughts on the case: ‘The Grenfell Tower fire is the most devastating residential fire since World War II. It has been a privilege to represent [clients who] risked their lives entering the tower to rescue residents, and the control room operators who dealt with harrowing calls. The statements about the horror of what they experienced and saw in the tower are something that I will never forget.

‘The claim was issued in the High Court in June 2020. We entered a mediation process in 2023 with a group of defendants to attempt to reach a settlement. The negotiations were intense and hard-fought. It was important for me to achieve a resolution for my clients, who continued to be traumatised by the litigation process.

‘The settlement has brought some justice. I hope my clients will now be able to get on with their lives, although I know that, for many, their injuries will impact the rest of their lives.’

Dealing with the media: ‘At Thompsons, I have worked on several high-profile matters that have attracted media interest, including the Potters Bar rail inquiry and the Croydon tram crash. However, the interest in the Grenfell Tower litigation has been unprecedented. I was routinely contacted by the media, particularly on the anniversaries of the tragedy. The confidential nature of the mediation process meant that I was restricted in the details that could be disclosed, which frustrated many journalists. The media interest, however, did assist in bringing to public attention the failings of building regulations and health and safety laws, which created the conditions for the disaster. I was assisted throughout by the Thompsons communications team, who were able to advise me on the media – and shield me and our clients when necessary, for which I am grateful.’

Why become a lawyer? ‘I come from a trade union background, and from a young age I was aware of workplace accidents and injustices. The system seemed weighted against working people, and I wanted to do what I could to redress this.’

Career high: ‘The Grenfell Tower settlement. It has been a team effort, and the dedication of all my colleagues at Thompsons cannot be overestimated.’

Career low: ‘Reforms of the PI sector [introduced] at the behest of insurers and to the detriment of access to justice. I worry about how injury victims who are not members of trade unions seek redress.’

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