The Aviation team
James Healy-Pratt is Head of Aviation at Stewarts Law and is dual qualified in England and New York. Between 1992 and 2000 he was Senior Legal Advisor to Global Aerospace Underwriting Managers, the largest aviation insurer. In 2000 he moved to become General Counsel at Amlin plc, the largest underwriter at Lloyds of London. James has had 18 years extensive international experience in investigating and resolving international airline disasters. James has unprecedented knowledge of the aviation insurance and reinsurance industry following his move from aviation insurance to plaintiff work in 2006. Since then he and his team have represented over 20% of passengers involved in air accidents and have recovered $400 million in damages. He is described by the Legal 500 as 'one of the leading lawyers in the world in this area'.
Stuart Dench is a Partner with experience in acting for plaintiffs in high value and complex personal injury and fatal accident claims. Stuart has been involved in numerous high profile trials in the High Court in London and has substantial experience in international aviation losses. He represented victims and families following Sibir flight 778, GOL Flight 1907 and a number of international helicopter losses. Stuart is described by the Legal 500 as an excellent litigator with a reputation for high value and complex claims.
Sarah Stewart is a Partner having qualified as a solicitor in 1997 she has over 11 years of experience in acting for plaintiffs in complex personal injury and fatal accident claims. Sarah speaks fluent French and has a background in pursuing international and group actions to trial or settlement. Sarah has represented families of the victims involved in major air disasters, fatal helicopter and light aircraft accidents. She is commended by the Legal 500 for her 'attention to detail and great commitment to the clients'.
Jim Morris was a Royal Air Force Pilot for 10 years during which he was qualified to fly a number of military aircraft. The last three years of his flying career were spent flying the Boeing E-3D AWACS. In 2004 he qualified as a lawyer and joined the Royal Air Force Directorate of Legal Services where he specialised as Trial Counsel prosecuting all RAF aviation cases and accidents. Jim moved to Stewarts Law in July 2008 and brings expertise in aircraft handling, operation, regulation and accident analysis.
Peter Neenan provides a scientific perspective to the Department's litigation having completed a degree and masters in Theoretical Physics at Durham University prior to his conversion to Law. Peter is currently completing a second masters: an Advanced LLM in Air and Space Law at the Institute of Air and Space Law in Leiden, the Netherlands. After university, Peter learnt Russian and spent considerable time living and working in Russia and Kazakhstan. He has been with the Aviation Department since its inception in 2006 and qualified as a solicitor in August 2009.
The Partners and lawyers within the team are supported by a dedicated team of junior lawyers and support staff.