Rob O’Connor

Rob is a Senior Associate in the Casualty team based in Leeds.  He joined Markel Law in April 2025 after over 12 years’ experience in defending both pre-litigated and litigated claims.  Rob’s legal career began in counter fraud before expanding into employer’s liability, and public liability claims.  He qualified as a Solicitor in 2018.

He has experience in handling workplace stress claims and has a particular interest in psychiatric injury claims, including those involving chronic pain, somatic symptom disorder, and functional neurological disorder.  More recently, Rob has broadened his practice to encompass claims involving sexual abuse, discrimination, and professional negligence.

Rob will consider the appropriate strategic approach, exploring alternative dispute resolution but taking matters to trial where appropriate.  He will seek appropriate costs sanctions in cases where there have been abuses of process or fundamental dishonesty.  He applies his broad claims experience to distil defensibility issues and recommend enhanced risk management procedures to clients and policyholders.

Rob has acted for a diverse range of clients, including insurers, public bodies, and corporate entities, providing strategic guidance on liability, causation, quantum, and claims resolution.  His solid understanding of the sector in which his clients operate allows him to tailor advice from both commercial and litigation perspectives.

Rob has delivered training sessions on claim investigations, the litigation process, and strategic considerations.  His commitment to knowledge-sharing ensures that clients and industry professionals are equipped with the insights needed to navigate an evolving claims landscape effectively.