Law firm plans new office and adds duo

Derby-based law firm Flint Bishop has made two new hires to its insurance litigation team and says it is looking to open an office on Leicester.

Kiran Ryatt and Laura O’Connor join the firm as associates.

Prior to joining Flint Bishop, Ryatt’s insurance litigation experience included 10 years at DAC Beachcroft, seven years working in-house for RSA and four years defending claims for the NHS Litigation Authority.

During her time at DAC Beachcroft as an associate, team manager and key account manager, she dealt primarily with motor fraud and then developed the employer and public liability fraud product for key clients.

O’Connor joins the firm having previously spent 14 years at Weightmans, where she initially dealt with public and employer’s liability. She also dealt with multi-track motor claims, ultimately working with the large loss team in London.

She also spent two years at Keoghs in the counter fraud team, where she managed a caseload of suspected motor fraud files.

Flint Bishop says it now the largest insurance litigation team in the East Midlands consisting of 34 legal experts.

Qamer Ghafoor, chief executive, said: “Kiran and Laura are both highly-respected lawyers and will deliver great results for our clients, whilst playing key roles in developing our fraudulent and large-loss claim offerings.

“Kiran and Laura join us at an exciting time, as we look to open a new office to expand the reach of our legal services across the Midlands.”