Phillippa O’Neill
Phillippa is a Partner in our litigation and dispute resolution team, based in Cambridge.
Phillippa advises high net worth individual and corporate clients on complex, high value disputes. She regularly works with clients to resolve breaches of warranty claims, shareholder and partnership disputes, breaches of restrictive covenants and breaches of confidentiality. In addition, Phillippa has worked on large cases involving breaches of contract, commercial fraud, professional negligence and jurisdictional issues.
In addition to working on potentially litigious matters, Phillippa works with colleagues in other practice areas to provide risk management advice. She is also well versed in various forms of alternative dispute resolution including mediation and arbitration and more recently she has gained experience of working for family businesses.
Phillippa has worked across a number of sectors including retail, food and leisure, manufacturing and engineering, waste management, logistics, transport, health, education and sport.
Recent work highlights
Advising a well-known corporate client in the leisure sector in relation to an energy dispute arising from an unregistered gas supply at one of its premises.
Representing an individual defendant client in multi-party civil fraud proceedings brought by a waste management company in relation to a large landfill tax liability.
Acting for and advising a client in relation to warranty and indemnity claims brought against him by the purchaser of his business.
Experience & education
2025 Birketts LLP, Partner
2023 Buckles LLP, Partner and Head of Commercial Dispute Resolution
2013 Spearing Waite LLP (acquired by Knights PLC in 2018), Partner
2007 Howes Percival LLP, Senior Associate
2005 Ashurst LLP, Associate
1996 – 1998 College of Law, London CPE and LPC
1995 – 1996 Simmons & Simmons LLP, Paralegal
1992 – 1995 Emmanuel College, Cambridge University, MA History
