Paul Johnson

MEDIATION BIOGRAPHY

PAUL JOHNSON

Mediation experience

Paul Johnson was until November 2006, one of the senior litigation partners in Pannone LLP in Manchester. He left partnership with Pannone LLP to pursue a career as a mediator. For this reason he decided to transfer to the Bar and join Kings Chambers, Manchester, which is one of the leading barristers chambers in the UK.

In 2004 he became one of the youngest appointees to CEDR’s top panel of mediators, CEDR Solve. He is also on the mediation panel of Consensus Mediation.

Chambers & Partners - 2008

Paul is mentioned as one of the leading individuals for mediation in the latest edition of Chambers & Partners. The entry comments that ‘some interviewees assert that he is “worth his weight in gold” . Capitalising on career-long expertise in corporate recovery and insolvency issues he is also proficient on mediating professional negligence and shareholder disputes.’

Range of disputes

Paul is a very experienced mediator in terms of the range of work he has mediated (and litigated). He has mediated disputes in the following areas:

· Contractual

· Insolvency

· Civil fraud

· Professional negligence

o         Solicitors
o         Counsel
o         Insurance brokers
o         Accountants
o         Architects
o         Surveyors
o         Insolvency practitioners

           Banking disputes
           Property disputes (including Landlord & Tenant)
           Competition law issues
           Charities
           Construction
           Private client
           Intellectual property
           Shareholder issues
           Local Authorities
           Partnership

Feedback

The following comprise some examples of the ‘feedback’ received from mediations:

·          “… I have been involved in possibly as many as 15 mediations involving very substantial sums, often in cases
           where feelings between the parties are running at a very high level. Your approach, which combined persistence
           with “friendly diplomacy” makes you probably the most effective mediator I have yet to encounter. I would
           certainly recommend you to any practitioner seeking mediation assistance …”

· “Paul was creative throughout the day.”

· Paul’s style was friendly and laid back but he was very tenacious towards the end of the mediation day.”

· “Paul built rapport well and increased the pace and momentum of the mediation when it was required.”

· “Paul structured the day well and reality tested our client thoroughly.”

· “He has a friendly and open style. He is informal, but always has his eye on the ball and he is approachable.”

· “His courteous, patient and realistic approach to the mediation assisted in no small degree to the outcome.”

· “I write to thank you for your mediation skills, without which I do not believe an agreement could have been
reached between the parties”

· “We were very impressed by the manner in which [Paul] approached the mediation”

· “I felt that the manner in which you carried out the mediation was very professional … you were magic …”

· “… you are the best mediator I have worked with …”

· “… first class and professional …”

· “… we thought there was no chance of the dispute being settled at the mediation. The fact that it did settle, is
possibly the best compliment we can make about how you mediated the dispute… we were very impressed …”

· “… we thought the manner in which you approached the mediation was brilliant …”

· “… we [both opposing leading counsel at the mediation] thought you were outstanding and would definitely
recommend you and work with you again …”

Previous entries in Chambers & Partners and The Legal 500 entries

During his time as a litigator Paul undertook a broad range of work; insolvency and corporate recovery; civil and criminal fraud; professional negligence; contractual disputes; shareholder disputes; financial services litigation; partnership disputes; professional disciplinary matters; regulatory matters.

He is mentioned in successive editions of both Chambers and the Legal 500 as a leading lawyer in two different areas; commercial litigation and insolvency and corporate recovery. The entries described him as;

· The “standout lawyer” in the commercial litigation department of Pannone LLP

· A good communicator

· Tenacious

· Always well prepared

· Good team player

· A graceful all rounder respected for his acute commercial sense

· Calm and balanced

· Easy to comprehend manner

· Ensures his clients have the necessary information

· “Streetwise and sensible”

Personal Background

Paul and his wife Samantha live in Chester and spend as much time as possible in beautiful West Wales. His interests are varied. They range from surviving on a snowboard, music, photography, learning to play the guitar and above all coping with the pleasure and pain of supporting the Wales rugby union team.

Contact details

Email: pjohnson@kingschambers.com or paul100johnson@btinternet.com

Telephone:   Chambers: 0161 832 9082
                        Mobile: 07879 891000
                        Home: 01829 270377

Clerked By: Colin Griffin ( 0161 819 8257) & Gary Young (0161 819 8801)