Rhian Howell

Partner, Head of Bristol, and PFR Team Lead

Rhian is a professional negligence expert with significant experience dealing with claims against lawyers and construction professionals. She also handles disciplinary and regulatory matters and often deals with fraud and dishonest assistance claims against solicitors. Rhian also regularly provides legal updates to clients, as well as training on risk management and best practice when handing claims.

“They say I fight cases like I'm writing a personal cheque”

“I enjoy building relationships with insurer clients and working together as a team to defend professionals. I also enjoy having professionals as clients, and helping them defend the professional reputations which they’ve worked so hard to achieve.

I deliver the best outcomes in the most commercial way. I have a reputation for caring about the outcome on every case. They say I fight cases like I'm writing a personal cheque.”

Rhian’s recent work highlights:

BPE Solicitors & Another v Hughes Holland (in substitution for Gabriel) [2017] UKSC 21

Percy v Merriman White and Mayall [2022] EWCA Civ 493

Murithi & Others v AVH Legal LLP (t/a Tandem Law) & Others [2023] EWCH 1245

Directory quotes

"She is very proactive and always get problems sorted." - Chambers UK 2024

"Her commitment to clients is second to none, and her ability to grapple with the most complex claims and confidently set a clear, coherent strategy for resolution never fails to impress us." - Chambers UK 2023

Top Ranked – Chambers UK 2022

Rhian Howell is well reputed in the area, in particular for her activity defending claims raised against solicitors and barristers. Her expertise includes regulatory and disciplinary investigations. - Chambers UK 2022

"Rhian Howell is formidable and entirely switched on. Listens to feedback carefully and delivers exactly what the client wants." - The Legal 500 UK 2022

Recommended - The Legal 500 UK 2021

Rhian Howell continues to be a standout in [the Professional Negligence] area, with one client affirming: "She understands how our company works and is able to incorporate commercial considerations." - Chambers UK 2018

"A very experienced and tough negotiator." - The Legal 500 2018

Rhian's "standout qualities are her tenacity, her practical approach to cases and her client-focused attitude." - Chambers UK 2018

Rhian is an "effective performer who gets great results through hard work and determination and impresses with her quick grasp of the problems at hand." - Chambers UK 2017