Richard Follis is head of the Personal Advisory Division at Shoosmiths, responsible for leading across a wide range of services Shoosmiths provides for individuals and their families.

He is a noted practitioner in the field of clinical negligence, having advised victims of medical accidents over several decades. He has also conducted multi party, pharmaceutical and catastrophic injury litigation and has appeared pro bono to represent complainants before the GMC and give evidence before the H&CPC.

He was ranked as 'Senior Statesperson' in the 2020  edition of Chambers UK where he was profiled as “revered for his longstanding expertise in the field of clinical negligence, with one interviewee enthusing: He is fazed by nothing and can take anything in his stride."

Richard has won claims for compensation ranging from minor injury to severe brain damage and has advised families about Inquests for most of his career, including regularly appearing as advocate before Coroners with and without a jury.

Prior to joining Shoosmiths in 2006, he was a partner at Alexander Harris (now Irwin Mitchell).  Richard served as President of the Birmingham Law Society and having been an AvMA panel member since 1991, was appointed an Honorary Panel Member in 2021.

He was head of the firm’s clinical negligence team for seven years, before being promoted to the role of Practice Group and then Divisional Head joining the Board in 2013.

Education
LL.B. (Hons.) - University College Cardiff