Anthony joins DWF's Leeds office from DAC Beachcroft, bringing more than 30 years' experience in major loss, casualty and regulatory matters. He advises insurers and corporate clients on complex and high-value claims, including serious and fatal injuries, stress and chronic pain claims, group actions, multi-jurisdictional disputes, inquests and regulatory investigations and prosecutions.
A former President of the Forum of Insurance Lawyers, Anthony has played a prominent role in the insurance legal sector, advising insurers on market strategy and emerging risks and leading major client relationships. He has a strong track record of delivering commercially focused, cost-effective solutions on complex and high-profile matters.
Anthony is joined by four directors: Sara Lowther, Ciaran Garnett, Carl McGuire and Gavin McClenaghan.
Sara Lowther specialises in employers’ and public liability claims, with more than 20 years’ experience defending large loss, complex injury, chronic pain and fatal accident matters. She also has experience in group litigation and advises insurers and corporate clients across the logistics, construction, healthcare and aviation sectors.
Ciaran Garnett has more than 15 years’ experience in civil and commercial litigation, specialising in regulatory investigations, prosecutions and civil claims for large multinational corporations. He has particular expertise in the leisure, hospitality and construction sectors and has been recognised by Legal 500 since 2018.
Carl McGuire specialises in employers’ and public liability claims for insurers and corporate clients, with more than 25 years’ experience across high-value personal injury, occupational stress and harassment claims. He also advises on regulatory matters, insurer insolvency and incomplete insurance cover.
Gavin McClenaghan specialises in employers’ and public liability claims, with more than 25 years’ experience in the insurance industry. He advises on complex injury and large loss matters across the construction, engineering, logistics, manufacturing, energy and hospitality sectors.
The appointments build on DWF’s continued investment in its Major Injury and Casualty practice, following the appointment of directors Rebecca Shafto and Andrew Lawson, alongside members of their wider team, from Clyde & Co earlier this year, and partners Claire Mulligan, Richard West, Jennifer Harris and Gareth Thomas, alongside members of their wider teams, from Kennedys at the end of last year.
Commenting on his appointment, Anthony Baker said: "I am delighted to be joining DWF at a time of significant investment in its Major Injury and Casualty offering and wider insurance practice. DWF has a strong reputation in the market and an ambitious approach to growth, and I look forward to working with colleagues across the firm to build on that momentum. The depth of expertise across the team, combined with DWF’s commitment to delivering commercially focused solutions, provides a strong platform to support insurers and corporate clients on complex casualty and regulatory matters."
Claire Bowler, Head of Major Injury and Casualty, said: "Anthony's arrival, together with four highly experienced directors, reflects the continued growth and success of our Major Injury and Casualty practice and our commitment to attracting market-leading talent. Their expertise, market reputation and client focus will further strengthen our ability to deliver exceptional service and innovative solutions to our insurance and corporate clients. We look forward to working with Anthony and the wider team as we continue to build breadth and depth of services across our wider Insurance practice”.
