It is with deep sadness that we announce the passing of our much-loved friend and valued colleague Jonathan Bamforth on 23rd January, following a courageous battle against cancer.
Jonathan has been an integral part of our serious injury team since joining Minster Law in 2009. His contribution to our business and the customers we serve is impossible to overstate, playing a pivotal role in creating and shaping what has become one of the most successful serious injury teams in the UK.
A wonderfully kind and modest man, Jonathan was selfless in his pursuit of helping others. His dedication to his clients, who represented individuals and families devastated by catastrophic injury, was unparalleled, acting not only as their legal representative but in equal measure as a trusted counsellor, sage and most of all, a friend in their time of need.
His physical and intellectual stature belied a gentle giant of a man, who passionately believed in making other people’s lives better. As a mentor for many of our aspiring colleagues, Jonathan was always there to offer advice, guidance, and support on their journey of personal development.
To mark his contribution to our business, we invited some of his closest colleagues to talk about the difference Jonathan made in their lives.
“Mr B, as I have always referred to Jonathan, was a respected colleague who became a trusted mentor and most importantly a valued friend. I have spent almost the entirety of my legal career working with him. He has been instrumental in shaping my career and was always someone I trusted implicitly for sound advice. He was my ‘work Dad’, nothing was ever too much trouble for him and he was never too busy to give me his time and advice.”
“For any young lawyer wanting a masterclass in client care, listening to Jonathan speaking with and supporting his clients was all the training one would need. His genuine care for his clients and his authenticity was obvious to anyone who spent any length of time with him.”
“Simply put, Jonathan was one of the nicest people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing and his passing is a huge loss, not only to Minster Law, but to the wider profession. For those of us who were lucky enough to have been able to call him a friend, we will all remember his infectious smile and wonderful sense of humour.”
Jonathan was a widely respected figure throughout the personal injury industry from Counsel to business partners to opponent law firms and the many charities he supported, such as Headway and the Spinal Injuries Association.
Jonathan was also a deeply devoted family man, and our most heartfelt condolences are with his wife Dianna and his two beautiful children, Ted and Lexi, at the most difficult and saddest of times.
Jonathan’s funeral will take place on Thursday 9th February and a charitable donation link has been set up for Saint Michael’s Hospice and All Saints’ Church for anyone wishing to pay their respects.