Hull solicitor Eliza Hudgell has been named as one of the country’s standout young legal talents after a year impressing with her work on major national cases.
Following in the footsteps of her father Neil, who heads the family-named firm she works at, the 27-year-old is now a key member of the firm’s growing civil liberties team, one that has won national acclaim.
Over the past 12 months she has supported families who lost loved ones in the 2017 Manchester Arena bombing as a public inquiry has been staged, and former subpostmasters wrongfully jailed as a result of the Post Office Horizon scandal, which is widely recognised as one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in UK legal history.
Read more: Neil Hudgell's pride at righting nationally-significant wrongs as a quarter of a century clocked up
Eliza is also the lead solicitor for Hudgell in representing a number of victims of the terror attack which took place at Fishmongers’ Hall in London in November 2019, handling claims on behalf of a number of people who suffered psychologically from what they witnessed.
Her work has resulted in her being shortlisted for Young Achiever of the Year at the national Personal Injury Awards, which celebrate the highest standards of legal work across the UK.
Vicky Richardson, head of civil liberties at Hudgell Solicitors, said Eliza is fully deserving of the recognition.
“Eliza is determined, efficient and reliable. Her attention to detail is second to none and she has a genuine empathy towards those she is helping. She is an outstanding talent and certainly one to watch,” she said. “She quickly established herself as key member of our team, particularly in supporting victims of the Manchester Arena bombing. She has developed an amazing relationship with clients and is a ‘go to’ person when urgent tasks arise for the public inquiry.
“There will be few, if any, newly qualified solicitors working on cases of national significance like Eliza – and winning the admiration of both her clients and peers.
“She has set the bar for other junior solicitors and will be a very hard act to follow as she is a star in the making.”
Eliza studied law in Hull and completed her Legal Practice Course before joining Hudgell Solicitors as a legal assistant in 2017. She entered into a training contract in 2020, and qualified in February.
Alongside Eliza’s impressive legal work, judges considered her fundraising activities, with beneficiaries including Swan Bereavement Nurses, who supported families following the attack at the Ariana Grande gig and Martin’s Mountain, led by client Martin Hibbert, on behalf of the Spinal Injuries Association (SIA). He suffered life-changing injuries as a result of the bombing and climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in a specially adapted wheelchair earlier this year.
The awards take place at the Hilton Manchester Deansgate later next month.
Read next:
2022's Top 30 Under 30 named as Humber's rising business stars celebrated
Richard Beal named Yorkshire's Property Personality of the Year
Energy consultancy secures significant backing to grow team as demand for services escalates
Hull Trains manager recognised as an industry leader for her pandemic dedication
All your Humber business news in one place - bookmark it now
