Profiles
Roger Bolt
Roger qualified as a solicitor in 1977, a few years after his return from Australia where he lived for 6 years as a "£10 Pom". He trained at the College of Law in Lancaster Gate and started his working legal career at the North Kensington Law Centre near Portobello Road. Much of his time at the Law Centre was spent at the local DHSS (now DHS) office and Notting Hill Gate Police Station haggling with police officers and social security officials on behalf of his clients. It was here that Roger developed his passion for a good argument which led him, eventually, to specialise in litigation and in particular personal injury work. Roger continued his involvement with the voluntary sector on moving to North London by working at the North Islington Law Centre as a volunteer for about 15 years. Roger served his articles at a firm in Finchley called Osmond Gaunt & Rose where he undertook a wide variety of work including conveyancing matrimonial, unlawful evictions, solicitors and medical negligence - and in particular personal injury work acting always for accident victims not defendants.
In 1986, at which time he was a partner at Osmond Gaunt & Rose, Roger left that firm together with another partner, Lynne Burdon, to start Bolt Burdon in Islington. Initially the firm consisted of Roger, Lynne, a trainee (Julie Aldred) and two secretaries. As the firm has grown in size Roger's role has evolved and he is now Senior Partner of Bolt Burdon Kemp and a partner in Bolt Burdon. He has been a long serving member of the Executive Committee of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers and is an APIL Fellow. He is a long serving member of LSC Costs Appeals and Customer Redress Committees, Assessor for and member of the Law Society Personal Injury Panel, member of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America and International Bar Association. He lectures frequently on personal injury law particularly costs. Outside work his five children keep him very busy. If he can find any spare time he plays his favourite Fender Stratocaster - in a pale imitation of Steve Cropper - in his blues/soul band currently called The Big Girls Blues Band - www.thebiggirlsbluesband.co.uk; He is passionate about music of all types particularly blues, jazz, cajun, country and soul. He likes cooking and eating Mediterranean food, sailing and is an obsessive supporter of Arsenal Football Club. He travels frequently to Australia to drink a glass of Shiraz in the Icebergs bar overlooking Bondi Beach where his daughter, Susie, now lives.
phone: 020 7288 4814
e-mail: rogerbolt@boltburdon.co.uk