Francesca Reason

Francesca Reason is an Associate in our regulatory and corporate defence team based in our Ipswich office.

Francesca specialises in health and safety, inquests, public inquiries and complex regulatory investigations. She advises corporate and individual clients across a broad range of sectors, with particular experience in high-stakes incidents involving fatalities, serious injuries and significant reputational exposure.

Francesca has extensive inquest experience, having represented a wide range of organisations and individuals in coronial proceedings. Her work includes acting for an independent school following the death of a student, as well as advising clients through the wider regulatory, safeguarding and reputational issues that often arise alongside an inquest. She is experienced in managing sensitive matters where legal, operational and public scrutiny intersect.

She also has significant public inquiry experience, including work on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry and the UK Covid-19 Inquiry, advising clients facing investigation by regulators and enforcement bodies. Her practice focuses on helping clients navigate the legal, strategic and practical consequences of serious incidents, from the immediate aftermath through to prosecution, inquest or inquiry.

Alongside her legal practice, Francesca has a specialist interest in crisis communications and reputation management. Before joining Birketts, she worked and trained in crisis PR, experience which now informs her legal advice in fast-moving and high-profile matters. Having recently completed further professional training in crisis communication and delivered webinars on the tension between crisis PR strategy and legal risk, Francesca advises clients on how legal and communications teams can work together to protect both litigation position and reputation when it matters most.

Experience & education

2021 Qualified as a Solicitor

2019 – 2021 Trainee Solicitor, Birketts LLP

2018 – 2019 Paralegal, Birketts LLP

2019 – 2021 University of Law (LLM Legal Practice (LPC))

2014 – 2019 Open University LLB alongside career in Marketing, Business Development and Crisis PR