In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, host Rodney Peyton talks with Michaela Guthrie, a partner at Balfour+Manson and one of Scotland’s leading claimant solicitors in clinical negligence. Michaela shares her path from early interests in justice and medicine to her role in complex medical negligence cases, including obstetric claims. She and Rodney discuss the landmark Montgomery case and how it reshaped patient consent, the challenges of recent legal pushback, and the balance between full disclosure and therapeutic reassurance. This episode offers practical insight into patient autonomy, case screening, and the communication skills that shape medical negligence work.

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, host Rodney Peyton speaks with Dr. Herschel Lessin, a pediatrician with 40 years in the clinic and 30 years as a medical expert witness. Trained at Stanford and Yale, Dr. Lessin pairs frontline care with national policy work through the American Academy of Pediatrics and leadership across New York’s Hudson Valley. The conversation covers the emotional toll of litigation on clinicians, rigorous case screening, standards versus guidelines, and the meaning of “reasonable medical certainty” in court. He shares practical lessons on running a practice, building an effective front desk, working with experts, and explaining hard truths to clients.

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, host Rodney Peyton speaks with Geoff Simpson-Scott, equity partner at Hodge Jones & Allen and a leading authority in clinical negligence law. Geoff reflects on his early career in the Royal Courts of Justice, his path into claimant work, and how relationships shaped his opportunities. The discussion covers professional values, the ethics and risks of AI in litigation, the importance of case screening and risk assessment, and the pressures facing the next generation of lawyers. Geoff also shares practical lessons on working with experts, understanding the defense perspective, and mentoring juniors to combine independence with discipline in a demanding field.

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, host Rodney Peyton speaks with Anna McLeod, partner and clinical negligence solicitor at Smith Partnership. Anna shares how a background in philosophy and early work as a police station clerk shaped her legal career, and why adaptability, mentoring, and clear communication are vital in clinical negligence practice. She reflects on balancing empathy with professionalism, setting client expectations, and working with the right medical experts to achieve fair outcomes. The discussion highlights how resilience, discipline, and a focus on service underpin a sustainable and rewarding career in law.

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, host Rodney Peyton is joined by Matthew Fitzpatrick, head of Horwich Farrelly Northern Ireland office and one of the region’s leading voices in personal injury defense. With deep experience on both claimant and defense sides, Matthew shares a refreshingly balanced view of litigation—highlighting the importance of early settlement strategies, the pitfalls of adversarial mindsets, and the crucial role of credible expert evidence. From inflated psychological injury claims to the need for reform in pre-action protocols, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what really drives resolution in injury cases. Whether you’re advocating for a claimant, representing an insurer, or navigating medical-legal reporting, this episode offers sharp insight into the strategy, structure, and humanity behind modern litigation.

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, host Rodney Peyton welcomes Susan Healy, Principal Solicitor at Clarity Solicitors, for an in-depth conversation about building a client-focused practice grounded in both empathy and expertise. Susan shares her unconventional path from nursing in the NHS to leading complex personal injury and clinical negligence cases, revealing how life experience shapes a lawyer’s approach far beyond academic training. She discusses the importance of managing client expectations, listening deeply to uncover the real story, and giving candid, realistic guidance from the very first meeting. The episode also explores how to mentor the next generation of lawyers—why in-person learning, open dialogue, and role modeling matter more than ever in a hybrid world. From navigating financial realities of case selection to maintaining a strong firm culture rooted in compassion and professional rigor, Susan offers practical, thoughtful insights for anyone who cares about delivering meaningful results in a demanding area of law.

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, host Rodney Peyton sits down with Paul Rumley, a highly experienced clinical negligence solicitor at RWK Goodman, to unpack the evolving practice of serious injury litigation and the art of mentoring the next generation. Drawing on decades of frontline experience, Paul shares how his journey from first-generation university student to department head shaped his approach to leadership, advocacy, and reform. The conversation explores his role in establishing the COVID claims protocol to improve collaboration between claimant and defendant lawyers, his campaigns to protect legal aid for vulnerable clients, and the importance of ethical, client-focused culture in law firms. From developing young solicitors through hands-on training to managing multimillion-pound settlements with compassion and precision, Paul offers a candid, practical look at the challenges and responsibilities of modern clinical negligence work—and how the profession can adapt to new technologies like AI without losing sight of its human core.

In this episode of Beyond the Gavel, host Rodney Peyton sits down with Chris Linnitt, founder of Beyond Legal, for a conversation about what it really means to serve injured clients. Chris’s path into personal injury law was anything but conventional—from early career detours to a catastrophic road traffic accident that ultimately reshaped not only his body but his entire approach to advocacy. He shares candid reflections on rebuilding a career while recovering from more than 30 surgeries, choosing amputation for a better life, and how lived experience fuels authentic, empathetic client care. Together they discuss why lawyers must deliver on their promises, the perils of radio silence for seriously injured clients, and the importance of balancing commercial pressures with genuine service. Chris also explains his firm’s ethos of going “beyond legal”—offering mentorship, lived advice, and real hope to those facing life-changing injuries. This episode offers an honest, inspiring look at resilience, purpose-driven practice, and what it takes to build trust and truly add value in the toughest moments of a client’s life.