Dorothy Flower

Partner and Head of Medical & Life Sciences

Dorothy is one of the UK’s leading medical malpractice lawyers. She regularly defends private sector organisations and individuals in clinical negligence cases, acts for manufacturers and suppliers of medical devices and pharmaceuticals involved in product liability claims, and defends CROs involved in injury claims in connection with clinical trials. The regulatory side to her practice sees Dorothy assisting individuals investigated by the General Medical Council, Health and Care Professions Council and other regulatory bodies. She also advises organisations on Care Quality Commission regulation.

“My team and I not only get brilliant results, we're personable and fun to work with”

“I've acted in numerous cross-jurisdictional and multi-jurisdiction claims, representing both US and UK clients. I have overseen the defence of large claims globally to ensure uniform strategy.

I am hugely knowledgeable and experienced, and get to the important aspects of any matter quickly and early to provide far-sighted strategic advice. I am creative in strategic thinking and robust in my approach to litigation. I fight to get the client the best possible commercial, personal, and legal outcomes.

I aim to know my clients personally, in the context of both work and social events. I am proud that my team is approachable, efficient, and responsive 24/7, and will go to great lengths for the client.”

Dorothy’s recent work highlights:

Acting for Spire Healthcare in the inquests into the deaths of up to 100 patients of Ian Paterson for breast surgery, coupled with management of the Paterson Patients Compensation Fund.

Acted for Corin Limited in metal-on-metal hip group litigation in the UK, and managing the defence of claims against Corin in Europe, Australia, Japan, and Canada.

Acting for a London cosmetic surgery clinic in claims arising from the negligent performance of cosmetic procedures and the inappropriate conduct of a surgeon.

Directory quotes

"Dorothy Flower is incredibly experienced and a very good litigator." - Chambers UK 2024

"The team is lead by Dorothy Flower who is one of the most experienced product liability solicitors in the UK. She brings a highly commercial approach and strategic judgment to her cases and stands out for her ability to see the big picture amongst the wealth of factual and expert detail that characterises product liability disputes." - Legal 500 UK 2023

Top Ranked – Chambers UK 2022

Dorothy Flower has notable experience acting on group action claims relating to negligent treatment. She further advises on delayed diagnosis, psychiatric injury and fatal claims. - Chambers UK 2022

Ranked – Chambers UK 2022

"She is a longstanding specialist in the clinical negligence market." - Chambers UK 2022

Dorothy Flower has expertise defending claims against treatments including opioids, metal hips, PIP breast implants and ocular lenses. She has also defended claims concerning clinical trials. - Chambers UK 2022

"Dorothy Flower has been extremely helpful to our organisation." - Chambers UK 2022

‘Dorothy Flower, head of department, is a titan in the world of clinical negligence defence. A superb tactician with a mastery of many briefs. She runs a very tight ship with hand picked juniors of extremely high calibre – there are no weak links in the chain. A consistently high standard provided whether for an individual or an organisation. Dorothy Flower is the very experienced and respected partner in charge and has a solid team working with her.’ - The Legal 500 UK 2022

Dorothy Flower has great experience in the sector and really knows her clients and their priorities. She stands out for knowledge of how the claims landscape in the sector is developing.’ - The Legal 500 UK 2022

‘Dorothy Flower is one of the most experienced product liability specialists in London. She combines a detailed knowledge of the law with an impressive tactical and strategic awareness. Clients appreciate her understanding of their priorities.’ - The Legal 500 UK 2022

Leading individual - The Legal 500 UK 2022

"Dorothy has excellent subject matter knowledge and has real gravitas when dealing with insurers and other law firms." - Chambers UK 2021

"Dorothy Flowers has exceptional knowledge and leadership skills which have enabled her to build a strong team." - The Legal 500 UK 2021

"The team here have strength and depth and offer a supreme service to their clients." - The Legal 500 UK 2021

"Dorothy Flower is a real star." - The Legal 500 UK 2021

Hall of Fame - The Legal 500 UK 2021

Leading Individual - The Legal 500 UK 2021

Recommended - The Legal 500 UK 2021

Hall of Fame - The Legal 500 UK 2020

"Excellent all-round lawyer, business thinker" - The Legal 500 UK 2020

Leading individual - The Legal 500 UK 2020

"Dorothy Flower is just brilliant, always there for us, and we have really enjoyed working with Genevieve Isherwood on recent issues – to the point where I will be sad when our current case is concluded!" - The Legal 500 UK 2020

Dorothy Flower is a highly respected clinical negligence litigator who specialises in defending claims on behalf of private sector clients. She represents healthcare organisations, medical malpractice insurers and private hospitals, as well as individual healthcare practitioners. - Chambers UK 2019

"She is very astute and pragmatic; she takes the time to make sure things are done the right way and she doesn't cut corners." - Chambers UK 2019

[Dorothy is praised] for her representation of medical device manufacturers and pharmaceutical clients in high-stakes product liability disputes. - Chambers UK 2019

"She's excellent with clients." - Chambers UK 2019

"She really cares about the case, and has an excellent strategic overview and a deft touch." - Chambers UK 2019

Clients comment on "the depth of experience and knowledge she has in the medical field." - Chambers UK 2018

"She adds value to the process of defence work." - Chambers UK 2018

"Star performer." - The Legal 500 UK 2018

Leading individual - The Legal 500 UK 2018

"Truly exceptional; unflappable under pressure and a real intellectual heavyweight." - The Legal 500 UK 2018

She is a leading solicitor in the field of reproductive medicine and has experience in mental health, psychiatric injury, overdose and mis-prescription claims. - The Legal 500 UK 2017

The "very experienced" Dorothy Flower leads the medical and life sciences team at RPC and is adept in defending suppliers and manufacturers of medical devices and pharmaceutical products in major disputes. - The Legal 500 UK 2017

Dorothy Flower is a highly regarded practitioner praised for her experience defending individuals and private organisations in clinical negligence cases. She is particularly adept at handling matters involving reproductive medicine. - Chambers UK 2017

Recommended - The Legal 500 UK 2016

Flower is noted for her "energy and penetrating analysis when co-ordinating a defence." - The Legal 500 UK 2016

Practice head Dorothy Flower "brings energy and penetrating analysis to her role." - The Legal 500 UK 2016

Sources describe her as "excellent" and "a good, safe pair of hands who will do a decent job." - Chambers UK 2016

Listed in the elite "Leading lawyers" list - The Legal 500 UK 2015

RPC’s Dorothy Flower is "top-notch for expertise and commerciality, and fights robustly for clients." - The Legal 500 UK 2015

Recognised as a Hot 100 lawyer for 2015 by The Lawyer for "her standout work in her specialist field."

Recommended - The Legal 500 UK 2015

"Dorothy Flower earns praise as a "highly experienced" and "uniquely skilled" specialist in the market." - Chambers UK 2015

"Department head Dorothy Flower has a depth of experience acting for insurers and healthcare organisations." - The Legal 500 UK 2014

"Dorothy Flower maintains her position as a respected figure in the clinical negligence field, thanks to her continued appearance on many substantial, complex defence cases." - Chambers UK 2014