Madelene serves as the Managing Director of Specialist Legal Services at Slater and Gordon and sits on the Executive Leadership Team at Slater and Gordon as well as continuing to represent clients in personal injury claims. With over 20 years of expertise in various specialist areas, from industrial disease to military litigation, she is dedicated to handling complex injury cases with skill and compassion.
Despite her demanding and busy leadership role on Slater and Gordon’s Executive Team, Madelene remains deeply engaged in frontline legal work. Her colleagues consistently describe her as a source of inspiration and a driving force behind the firm’s culture of excellence. She leads by example, fostering a collaborative and client-focused environment while championing innovation and excellence. She is in particular, a strong inspiration for the female cohort at Slater and Gordon.
Get to know Madelene
I joined Slater and Gordon in 2005 (formerly Pannone LLP), qualifying in 2007 and became a principal lawyer in 2016, before becoming the Managing Director of Specialist Personal Injury Services in 2021 and Managing Director of Specialist Legal Services in 2022.
I have over 20 years of file handling experience in the niche area of industrial disease, primarily asbestos related disease, and military litigation. I am passionate about the law and about ensuring our specialist injury cases are dealt with skilfully and compassionately without exception.
My hero solicitor Madelene Holdsworth is extraordinary as she showed incredible patience, tenacity, dedication, commitment and professionalism to help me win my case. I would highly recommend solicitor Madelene Holdsworth for personal injury claims and employment related legal services. She's worth her weight in gold.
Client testimonial for Madelene Holdsworth
Madelene Holdsworth was exceptional and a credit to the firm. I would have no hesitation in recommending her to prospective clients.
Client testimonial (for Madelene Holdsworth)
Madelene reassured, helped and kept me up to date with all aspects of the case. Madelene was courteous and handled my extremely difficult case with such professionalism that I can’t recommended Slater and Gordon, and Madelene enough.
Client testimonial (for Madelene Holdsworth)
Career Highlights
My specific areas of expertise are claims for asbestos victims however I am also regularly instructed on claims for occupational asthma, work related stress, dermatitis, chemical poisoning and noise induced hearing loss cases, particularly on behalf of Armed Forces personnel. I also have experience in complex accident at work cases and catastrophic military cases.
I have represented hundreds of victims of asbestos related illnesses over my 20 years in claims against their former employers for having negligently exposed them to asbestos. These cases can be very difficult but every one of them is hugely rewarding.
I represented a serving member of the armed forces in a claim against Cardiff City Council for an accident caused by a faulty lamppost securing a £2.5million settlement.
Another case I've worked on, and one of the most complex medical cases I’ve ever had, involved a development of facial erythrodysesthesia caused by light exposure at my client's workplace. My client developed extreme photosensitivity causing huge restrictions from everyday items such as mobile phones and car headlights, I negotiated a significant six figure settlement, allowing my client to be able to live as comfortably as possible.
The 2023 edition of Chambers and Partners states: "Madelene Holdsworth is extremely careful and thorough and is experienced and knowledgeable - a safe pair of hands."
As a junior lawyer, I was highly commended in the Law Society Excellence Awards for my niche work in industrial disease litigation as Junior Lawyer of the Year. I was also shortlisted as a 'Lawyer of the Year' in the Modern Law Awards 2020 and am also shortlisted for 'Innovative Leader' in the Women: Power, Influence in Law Awards 2022.
Even minor exposure to asbestos can have fatal consequences. Asbestos related illnesses such as mesothelioma can have devastating effects on sufferers lives and that of their families. Slater and Gordon's expert lawyers are here to offer you the help and support you need and can offer help in claiming compensation for a variety of industrial diseases related to asbestos exposure.
Industrial diseases can have devastating effects on sufferers and their families. This guide to the claims process is intended to provide much needed and useful information.
Military life can lead to accidents and injuries that have nothing to do with combat operations. If you've suffered from hearing loss or impairment in a military accident or suffered as a result of negligence, talk to us today. Slater and Gordon handles most military accident compensation cases on a No Win No Fee basis.
Military life can lead to accidents and injuries that have nothing to do with combat operations. If you've been injured in a military accident or suffered due to negligence, speak to our military lawyers today.
