Spotlight On… Sylvia Phillips

Our next spotlight is on Sylvia Phillips, Associate in our Personal Injury team.

What is your role at Ashtons?

I am an Associate Solicitor in the Injury Service Group, Personal Injury team.

How long have you been at the firm?

Three years as of March 2026 – the time has gone fast.

Where have you worked previously?

I have recently worked for Irwin Mitchell and did my training at Leigh Day

Who is in your team?

I work with my team lead, Andrew Wilson, and alongside Ruth Hinchliffe. Melanie Stephenson ably supports the team in a paralegal role, and Ruth Sparkes supports our clients with their wellbeing, government funds and signposting.

Do you have any specialisms?

I specialise in asbestos-related industrial disease claims and am part of a specialist sub-team of Personal Injury.

Did you ever consider a different career?

I have quite a few doctors in my family, so that did cross my mind, but I am too squeamish for one thing. I did think about being a salesperson, but I was discouraged from that, which I am glad about, as I don’t think it would have suited me. So, from about the age of 15, working as a lawyer has been at the forefront of my studying/career choices.

I was not sure which area of law to pursue, but an interest in environmental issues led me to apply to Leigh Day for my training contract, where I specialised in Personal Injury law.

If you could give your younger self some career advice, what would it be?

Get into law via an apprenticeship route, so that you have more life experience when it comes to studying law. As a teenager studying law, house ownership and business issues seemed alien to me, so I was on the back foot with understanding the law and cases, in subjects like contract law and land law. Funnily enough, I seemed to get on with Tort Law (ie, basis for Personal Injury/Civil Claims) from the start. I understand in America, a law degree is a second degree – I think that sort of arrangement also would have suited me.

Contact our mesothelioma and asbestos disease solicitors today

If you believe we can assist you when pursuing an Asbestos & Mesothelioma claim, or simply wish to talk about exposure to asbestos, please get in contact with us on 0330 404 0777 or fill out our online enquiry form to speak to one of our asbestos disease specialists.

Our experienced team of lawyers will be able to offer advice and guide you through every step of the claims process, and our in-house rehabilitation coordinators can help to support you through your recovery.