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CYCLE LAW
CHOOSING legal representation can be as stressful as the situation that leads you there. Lawyers need to empathise with a client’s position.
At Cycle Law Scotland, cyclists receive specialist knowledge with accident claims. What’s so different from other personal injury lawyers?
Firstly, every lawyer is a cyclist at a decent level, with one competing in the forthcoming UCI World Cycling Championships in Scotland.
Secondly, they understand the hazards – and they campaign, with the aim of making the roads safer and better for cyclists.
Cycle Law Scotland was founded by Senior Partner, Brenda Mitchell.
Brenda established the firm in 2011, started the Road Share Campaign for Presumed Liability in 2013 and established Belles on Bikes in the Borders.
Founder and Senior Partner Brenda Mitchell
She remains the heartbeat of Cycle Law Scotland and epitomises the culture of the firm which she instils in others around her – a passionate commitment to hard work and helping others when they are most in need.
Brenda rides e-bikes (on and off road) plus stokes on the tandem.
What the team understands is how important cycling is to every cyclist – leisure or professional. That empathy means that the focus is on early intervention and rehabilitation – to see clients recover and get back on their bikes.
Cycle Law Scotland work as a team and often cycle as a team for good causes, including My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and the SCAA (Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance).
On August 18, five of the lawyers will take on the Five Ferries Challenge, a ride of around 72 miles, to raise funds for and awareness of the Day One Trauma charity.
Currently Cycle Law Scotland see the main causes of collisions for road cyclists being junctions, roundabouts, potholes, being hit from behind, group cycling and dooring – when a car door is opened roadside without checking.
It’s an organisation for cyclists – by cyclists.
www.cyclelawscotland.co.uk
#BecauseWeCycleToo
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JO CLANCY
Jo Clancy joined Cycle Law Scotland as an Associate Solicitor after a chance meeting at a charity event. Already a personal injury lawyer for five years, the keen cyclist and runner spoke to Brenda Mitchell and the team.
“It’s something of a dream job for me because I do like working with people and even although it’s all cyclists, no two cases are the same. It’s so much easier to build up a rapport with people when you understand their situation.”
Jo rides in sportives across Scotland and is a volunteer pilot for Vie Velo Tandem club for visually impaired or blind cyclists.
THOMAS MITCHELL
At one point, Thomas Mitchell had an ambition to become a professional mountain biker, but once he began a “fall back” law degree, realised that he could combine cycling and a legal career.
“I had a summer placement, which led to a traineeship. I honestly don’t know if I would have continued if I hadn’t found Cycle Law Scotland.”
Thomas competed in the Scottish Enduro mountain bike events, the Enduro World Series and is a Sportive rider. “I cycle to and from work, so I can appreciate the challenges cyclists face.
“It’s important to have consideration for all road users, but especially vulnerable road users such as cyclists.”
ZARA JONES
Zara Jones grew up in the Borders and is used to riding road bikes and mountain bikes. She had a summer placement and was delighted to gain a traineeship. Zara has been working with the firm since 2019 when she qualified.
“Being able to use that training to help fellow cyclists has been something I didn’t expect but has been very satisfying. The challenges change all the time - for example, the cases that we’ve seen regarding the tram tracks in Edinburgh.”
ara also volunteers for the Vie Velo Tandem club and is a Sportive rider.
ROZ BOYNTON
Associate Solicitor Roz Boynton will be competing in the UCI Gran Fondo Championships at Perth after qualifying on the Isle of
Man.
“Since university, I have been a personal injury solicitor, but in 2018 I joined Cycle Law Scotland. Cycling has been my hobby for about 12 years, but I only really started training for competition during the pandemic.”
Roz has noticed a rise in cases since then, in line with the increase in cycling, with many people taking up the hobby during that time and continuing.
“I know the hazards, but more importantly what cycling means to the clients and getting back to being active.”
JODI GORDON
Jodi Gordon has been with Cycle Law Scotland since it was founded in 2011 and heads the Cycle Law Scotland legal team.
“When we recruit, we look for more than a law degree. Our lawyers need to cycle and have an interest in getting out in the open air.”
Jodi regularly rides on the back of the Cycle Law Scotland tandem, particularly for the annual Ride to the Sun, from Carlisle to Cramond. She has a Gazelle E-bike for commuting and leisure rides but also a race bike for sportives.
“We understand what our clients go through as road cyclists. We know what that ‘close pass’ from a car feels like.”
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