Joanne Kelly

Joanne is a partner in our London office and serves on the firm’s Governance Group, responsible for robust decision-making across Kennedys leadership. She is also a member of our Liability Defence Senior Leadership Team in the UK.

She is a leading expert in personal injury litigation, managing a myriad of personal injury claims ranging from motor to employers’ and public liability claims. With a specialist focus on large loss and catastrophic injury, she handles cases of the utmost severity, including brain injury, subtle brain injury, spinal injury, amputations, vegetative state, brachial plexus injury, severe psychiatric injury and complex regional pain syndrome.

With standout experience on exaggerated or fraudulent high-value claims, she provides strategic advice to clients on issues including fraudulent exaggeration, with a particular focus on fundamental dishonesty, fraud, e-disclosure applications and digital forensics.

Joanne manages a high-value caseload, with reserves of up to £10 million at any one time. She also represents insurer signatories to the Serious Injury Guide.

A recognised thought leader, she regularly presents in the UK and abroad on a range of topics associated with complex claims. She is also a co-author and editor of a number of publications, including Kennedys' Catastrophic Claims Guide and the Claims Handling Guide.

After spending five years in Kennedys’ Chelmsford office, she relocated to London in 2007. She is also a dedicated member of the Forum of Insurance Lawyers (FOIL).

As Kennedys UK Charity Partnership Sponsor, Joanne champions our global employee volunteering programme Thrive Together, including the firm’s current partnership with The Children’s Society. Her role also focuses on encouraging colleagues to participate in local initiatives across the UK, in support of causes they personally care about, with the ultimate aim of making an impact in communities where we live and work.