Samantha is a highly experienced dispute resolution solicitor, who qualified in 2003. She helps businesses resolve complex commercial disputes with clear, pragmatic advice, focusing on the commercial outcome as well as the legal issues involved.
Her work spans contractual and tortious disputes, shareholder and director disputes, warranty and indemnity claims, completion account disputes, joint venture and partnership disputes, restrictive covenant and business protection claims, professional negligence, and contentious trusts and probate matters.
Samantha has advised clients across a wide range of sectors, including manufacturing, technology, recruitment, film and media, food and hospitality, pharmaceuticals, education and property development. She also has significant experience advising charities and trustees, as well as handling pensions disputes.
She is a full member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS) and a member of the Professional Negligence Lawyers Association.
Work highlights include:
- Acting for the defendant and counterclaimant in a complex dispute arising from a long-standing property development joint venture, involving an account and inquiry and a claim for damages.
- Acting for an employer and pension scheme in pursuing claims against former administrators for negligence and breach of contract.
- Defending a former employee against claims for breach of contract and fiduciary duties.
- Advising a large international company following the termination at will of a multi-million-pound contract, including determining the sums payable under the termination provisions.
- Advising trustees after errors in a trust deed resulted in the inadvertent transfer of assets, including taking steps to rectify the position and pursuing professional negligence claims against the solicitors involved.
Before joining Harper James in June 2024, Samantha worked at a number of leading commercial practices. She trained and qualified at Hammonds LLP and later worked at Lee & Priestley LLP and 3volution Limited, where she became a partner in 2018, before joining Addleshaw Goddard LLP as a Legal Director.
Samantha is recognised by the Legal 500 as a Next Generation Partner and is ranked Band 3 for Litigation in Yorkshire by Chambers & Partners, which describes her as “very diligent and thorough” and “imaginative in her responses and problem solving”.
Samantha lives in Yorkshire with her husband and two sons. She enjoys spending time with her family in the Yorkshire countryside and looking after her four Ragdoll cats.
"The key to resolving disputes is understanding what the client ultimately wants to achieve and finding the most direct route to that outcome. With more than 20 years' experience, I know that busy clients need timely, practical advice that focuses on what really matters. I take a pragmatic approach to the merits, risks, costs and commercial realities of each option so clients can make informed decisions and move forward."
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