» Liam Bedford

Liam Bedford

Q.

Your Name

Liam Bedford

Q.

Where are you from and based (geographically)?

Leeds

Q.

Who do you work for, and what’s your role?

Kennedys Law LLP Senior Associate (Employed Barrister) I am practicing barrister having completed pupillage in 2017. My case load is primarily asbestos-related claims litigated in the High Court. I specialise in running complex and high value claim and have a specialism acting on strategic points, such as foreseeability of risk to firemen and in respect of emerging diseases. However, Liam has experience across a wide range of disease types such as asthma, dermatitis, silicosis, HAVS and NIHL. I won IRLA’s Young professional of the year award in 2021, was listed in the Legal 500 as a recommended lawyer in 2020/2021 & 2023. I also sit on the Civil Procedure and Rules Committee for FOIL. From April 2021 I will take over from Leslie-Ann as Head of Academy at IRLA sitting on their board as a director.

Q.

How long have you been in the world of re/insurance?

I have worked on disease litigation since July 2012 working as a Paralegal at DAC Beachcroft before joining BC Legal in 2014. Since 2021 I have worked at Kennedys. I have worked with IRLA organising / contributing to training and attending their events since 2019.

Q.

What was your route into the profession (please include any university or institution of note, and feel free to tell us what you might have done if you hadn’t taken this path):

Leeds University 2008 – 2011 – Law BPTC – 2014 – 2016 (Bar Finals) BBP Leeds. Pupillage with BC Legal and Kenworthy’s Chambers in Manchester 2016 -2017. If not law – I have genuinely no idea what!

Q.

What do you love most about your career?

The technical aspects of long tail / legacy claims. There are always complex causation issues often including cutting edges of science. Things are always developing despite the exposures have often occurred decades ago.

Q.

Any particular successes or key projects you’ve been involved in of late?

Organising IRLA’s claims training was a highlight for IRLA. At present I am involved in 2/3 really complex and serious claims that have big issues that could change the dial in the market. It has been nice to be leading those claims. Winning the YPG award!

Q.

What do you think is the perception of the legacy sector, or a misunderstanding that needs to be ‘debunked’?

That the work is dull. Insurance claims involve all sorts of weird and wonderful scenarios!

Q.

Given you’ve attracted IRLA boards attention and been offered a particular role at the Association, please share more about that position and what it involves, as well as what you hope to achieve in the coming 12 months of that post

Head of Academy. I am taking over the organising training sessions for the Association. We usually hold 6- session on all manner of subject each year additional to the other events. I would like to get in place an annual claims day for those on the claims side of member’s business. This involved solicitors barristers and insurers. This was done 18 months ago and was successful and I would like it to be repeated.

Q.

What would you say to someone considering becoming a member of IRLA?

Join & attend the events and get to know people. Get involved. The IRLA delegates are usually really friendly and that is what makes it such a nice place to network and get to know people in this space.

Q.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I have a 6 year old white German Sheppard and a 2 year old Collie so walking them! We are also renovating a 250 year old farm house on the moors between Huddersfield and Manchester and there is plenty of DIY. I have spent the last few weeks rebuilding dry stone wall (badly).

Q.

Tell us how you came to be involved in the Association

Joined as a YPG member and got involved with training sessions.

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