Browne Jacobson boosts public sector litigation practice with partner hire

Law firm Browne Jacobson has expanded its public sector insurance litigation practice team with the appointment of partner Cynthia Watts, who joins from Wansbroughs Solicitors where she was joint head of the firm’s insurance litigation team.

Watts has more than 25 years’ of experience defending civil claims against local authorities, the police and other public bodies, particularly in relation to complex historic abuse claims made against local authorities, sexual assault and failure to remove cases.

Based in the firm’s Birmingham office, she will work alongside Browne Jacobson’s specialist social care and insurance sector specialist teams in Birmingham, Exeter, London and Nottingham on a wide range of liability claims and associated insurance disputes.  

James Arrowsmith, partner in the public sector insurance team at Browne Jacobson, said: “We are delighted to welcome Cynthia to Browne Jacobson. Our public sector defendant litigation practice has seen significant growth in recent years as the number of compensation claims against public sector bodies have risen.

“Cynthia’s extensive experience in advising on high value, complex matters is a strong fit with our reputation in this field and she will be a real asset in helping the team meet current and future client demand.”

Watts said: “I am delighted to be joining Browne Jacobson. It has an excellent reputation acting for public sector bodies and their insurers and I am looking forward to helping to grow the practice regionally and nationally.”