Biography
I joined Irwin Mitchell's Leeds office in 2002. I was the Head of the Leeds medical negligence team from 2005 to 2019, when I became the Regional Managing Partner of the Leeds office.
I work on cases involving children who have suffered brain injuries due to poor obstetric care, inappropriate use of forceps, or failure to diagnose hypoglycaemia in a neonate causing brain injuries. I also act for clients who have suffered from life changing injuries due to failed diagnosis of sepsis. I also act for clients who suffer injuries due to negligent surgery, maternal injuries and missed screening during pregnancy.
Some of the cases I've been involved with include:
In 2016, I won Yorkshire Partner of the Year at the Yorkshire Lawyer Awards.
What Inspired You To Get Into Law?
Brian Hogan, the then head of the legal faculty at Leeds University, was a family friend and told interesting stories about criminal law. I originally intended to be a criminal solicitor but was lucky enough to work with a specialist clinical negligence solicitor during my training and the rest is history.
What Is The Most Rewarding Aspect Of Your Role?
Enabling people to get as much out of their lives after devastating injuries whether by equipment, care or computers so that they can have control of their own lives.
What Do You Like About Working At Irwin Mitchell?
The diversity of the expertise and people in the business. My colleagues are totally committed to getting the best results for clients so they can live their lives to the full.
What Do You Do Away From The Office?
I was a trustee of the Dogs Trust for 17 years. Dogs Trust is the largest canine welfare charity and works nationally and internationally to improved the lives of dogs. I remain committed to animal welfare.
I was recently appointed to the Yorkshire and Humber Board of Business in the Community.
I am committed to CSR and work with the Leeds Playhouse. Irwin Mitchell has been their access partner since 2009. Over the years the partnership has evoked and in 2019 their objective to make the theatre totally accessible was achieved through redevelopment. I am passionate about their work providing access to all and inclusive casting because of the opportunities it gives everyone to be able to enjoy the arts.
I am personally keen on the theatre, art exhibitions and music.!
Testimonials.
"She has vast experience and is a brilliant negotiator... One of the leading lawyers in the market." Chambers & Partners, 2022 (Leading Individual - Band 1)
"Rachelle Mahapatra has built up an impressive team by her professionalism and legal acumen, which now ranks as arguably the best in Yorkshire. She is highly approachable and always willing to give her time to help her junior colleagues develop their skills and specialism. Rachelle is recognised as one of the foremost practitioners in the area which has been built on an unending dedication to the interests of her clients. She consistently manages maximum severity litigation with adroitness indicative of a genuine seasoned professional – she is simply one of the best CN claimant practitioners in the country." - Legal 500, 2022 (Leading Individual)
"The irrepressible Rachelle Mahapatra is a dynamic force of legal nature…. [she has] created a team that consistently succeeds in getting impressive settlements over a spectrum of cases, but particularly in higher value brain injury, genetic birth injury and oncology cases." - Legal 500, 2021 (Leading Individual)
"Very efficient and approachable… an excellent solicitor who is knowledgeable, experienced and proactive" - Chambers & Partners, 2021 (Leading Individual - Band 1)
"They have dealt with our family’s negligence claim in a professional, courteous and extremely understanding manner especially in light of the grief you as a family are going through at the time. We had the pleasure of dealing with Lauren Bullock in the main, Rachelle Mahapatra and Victoria Moss and others...(read more) - Monique, client (5* Trustpilot review)
"They explained every step and contacted us to keep us updated with the process of our case. It was a long and difficult process but support was available. We are gratefully for your help and support." - Salina Begum, client
"Rachelle is highly experienced and provided an excellent and professional service, proactively working with us, within a very difficult timeframe, to collate all the necessary professional information and putting together the evidence required to support the claim." - Carolyn Rigg, client, (5* Trustpilot review)
"Excellent service - Rachelle Mahapatra was so professional, kind and caring. Always there for us the last 3 years, they never lost sight of my daughter's case and did everything they could to get the best claim for the rest of her life. I would definitely recommend Irwin Mitchell to anybody." - Beverly Schofield, client (5* Trustpilot review)
"Absolutely fantastic service from this company from start to finish. I found the persons involved very professional but also had a very personal touch. We were kept informed throughout the case and everything was explained regards the procedures of expert reports, court and settlement hearings. A big Thank You to Rachelle and her team, I really can't thank you enough." - 5* Trustpilot review
"My family and I would like to thank Irwin Mitchell, in particular Lauren Bulluck and Rachelle Mahapatra and the whole team. They explained every step and contacted us to keep us updated with the process of our case. It was a long and difficult process but support was available. We are gratefully for your help and support." - 5* Trustpilot review
"She is very hardworking and thorough with a very straightforward approach." - Chambers & Partners, 2020
Rachelle Mahapatra "is very experienced, robust and fearless in the representation of her clients." - Legal 500, 2020
Rachelle is "incredibly hard-working and nationally respected" by market commentators. Clients enthuse that "she was always realistic and down-to-earth, and able to put things across in a manner that we could understand as the claim went through." - Chambers & Partners 2018
"A national leader in her field" - Legal 500, 2017
