Services for the Transport and Logistics Sector

Laura Hadzik is a Partner and Joint Head of Commercial Road Transport at JMW and one of the UK’s leading solicitors in the licensing and regulation of commercial vehicle operators. She advises hauliers, coach and bus companies on all aspects of compliance, enforcement and licensing, and represents clients nationwide before the Traffic Commissioner in public inquiries, preliminary hearings and driver conduct hearings.

Laura regularly acts in regulatory investigations by the DVSA, Environment Agency, police and other authorities, and provides strategic advice around operator licence implications arising from acquisitions, restructures and insolvency. A respected industry speaker and contributor, Laura is ranked by Chambers and Partners and described by Passenger Transport magazine as “a renowned solicitor across the transport sector”.

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Scott Bell is a Partner and Joint Head of Commercial Road Transport at JMW, and is nationally recognised as a leading solicitor in the licensing and regulation of commercial vehicle operators. He represents clients across the haulage, coach and bus sectors, with particular experience in Traffic Commissioner proceedings, DVSA investigations, and complex operator licence applications and variations.

Prior to qualifying as a solicitor, Scott worked in the logistics industry, including operational and legal roles at TNT Express, which gave him a practical understanding of the sector’s inner workings. He advises on compliance systems, regulatory training, and the licensing implications of acquisitions, restructures and insolvency. Ranked by Chambers and Partners, and described as “an expert in his discipline”, Scott regularly speaks at industry events and contributes to the trade press.

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Ben Johnson is a Partner in JMW’s Commercial Litigation team and advises transport and logistics clients on complex, high-value disputes that require a clear commercial strategy. His practice includes contractual claims, shareholder disputes, professional negligence and urgent injunctive relief.

Ben regularly represents operators, logistics businesses and infrastructure providers in High Court proceedings, arbitration and mediation. He focuses on resolving issues with minimal disruption to operations, particularly in matters involving failed commercial arrangements, reputational risk or enforcement action.

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Michael Kennedy is a Partner in JMW’s Commercial Litigation team and brings over 25 years’ experience advising clients on a wide range of commercial disputes. He has particular expertise in corporate and shareholder disputes, professional negligence claims and high-value litigation.

Michael advises logistics and transport sector clients on contract disputes, partnership breakdowns and reputationally sensitive claims, often acting in long-running matters for clients he’s represented for decades. He is known for building enduring client relationships and delivering results through strategic, commercially focused litigation.

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Laura Wharton is a Partner in JMW’s Employment team and works closely with the Commercial Road Transport department to provide strategic employment advice to logistics operators and infrastructure businesses. She specialises in TUPE, workforce change, HR compliance and employment issues arising in mergers and acquisitions.

Laura also advises on contracts, executive exits and Employment Tribunal litigation. Her experience spans both private practice and in-house roles, giving her a practical, business-focused approach. She regularly supports clients on sector-specific matters involving workforce restructuring, regulatory enforcement, and industrial relations.

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Richard Parkinson is a Partner and Head of Commercial at JMW. He advises transport and logistics clients on commercial contracts including long-term supply agreements, service-level terms, agency arrangements and outsourcing deals. His work supports operators and infrastructure providers in managing complex contractual relationships and maximising value.

Richard also advises on IT procurement, licensing, and intellectual property, and has significant experience in helping clients structure partnerships and distribution networks. Known for his commercial insight and ability to simplify complex legal issues, Richard is regularly praised for his clear, pragmatic advice.

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Mark Heppell is a Partner in JMW’s Corporate team and advises logistics operators and infrastructure businesses on acquisitions, disposals, restructures and investment matters. He is particularly experienced in helping clients manage the corporate aspects of business sales, group reorganisations and private equity transactions.

Mark’s work regularly involves structuring deals in a way that accounts for regulatory licensing, employee transfers, and property or environmental risks specific to the transport sector. He acts for owner-managed businesses, investors and private equity-backed companies across the North West and beyond.

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David Frankland is a Partner in JMW’s Real Estate Commercial team and advises transport and logistics clients on all property-related matters, including depot acquisitions, infrastructure development, lease negotiations and portfolio management. He is recognised by the Legal 500 as a leading property specialist.

David acts for national developers, local authorities and logistics operators on complex transactions involving land use, planning, forward funding and mixed-use schemes. His sector experience includes advising on the development of logistics sites, operational premises and investment assets tied to commercial vehicle operations.

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Graham Small is Head of Restructuring and Insolvency at JMW and advises logistics businesses on financial distress, creditor disputes and director responsibilities under the Insolvency Act. He regularly acts in contentious insolvency matters involving fraud, breach of duty and business-critical commercial litigation.

With over 30 years’ experience in commercial law and a Legal 500 ranking, Graham is known for his strategic thinking and commercial acumen. He supports operators and infrastructure providers in managing disputes linked to restructuring, failed partnerships, and regulatory concerns - often in time-sensitive or high-value contexts.

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Sam Healey is a Partner in JMW’s Business Crime and Regulation team and is ranked Band 1 by Chambers and Partners, and a Leading Partner by the Legal 500. He represents transport businesses and senior individuals in the most serious and complex regulatory and criminal investigations, including those involving health and safety, financial crime, Trading Standards, and environmental offences.

Sam is regularly instructed at the earliest stages of investigation to manage risk, protect reputations and resolve issues discreetly. His work includes advising on restraint orders, allegations and confiscation proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act. Known for his strategic insight and calm, pragmatic advice, Sam leads on many of the UK's largest and most sensitive regulatory defence cases.

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Laura Bywater is a Partner in JMW’s Wills, Trusts, Tax & Succession Planning team. She advises high net worth individuals and business owners on all aspects of estate planning, wealth structuring and inheritance tax mitigation.

Laura has particular experience supporting the owners of transport and logistics businesses with succession planning, asset protection and long-term family wealth strategies. She drafts complex wills and trusts, provides advice on CGT and IHT planning, and frequently acts as a professional trustee or executor. A full member of STEP, Laura also lectures widely on private client matters.

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