We are delighted to announce the arrival of Steve Panton as the latest partner to join our Commercial Dispute Resolution team.
Private and public sector expertise
With over 20 years’ experience in regulatory enforcement and compliance in the Food & Drink Sector, Steve Panton’s practice encompasses all aspects of health and safety, environmental, food safety and consumer protection law.
He support clients involved in investigations and prosecutions by the Health and Safety Executive, Local Authority (Trading Standards and Environmental Health Departments), the Environment Agency and Competent Fire Authorities as well as providing risk management and corporate governance advice.
Steve’s practice also extends to advising on appeals against prohibition and improvement articles, defending statutory and private nuisance proceedings, enforcement undertakings and in relation to Coroner’s investigations and Inquests.
Steve has joined Stephens Scown’s highly regarded Commercial Dispute Resolution team, headed up by Stephen Wray, after having worked for a transatlantic law firm since 2000. During this time, he worked with a large number of producers and retailers operating in the South West as well as many national and international brands, and continues to do so.
Richard Baker, Managing Partner at Stephens Scown, said: “We are delighted to welcome Steve to our Firm. This strategic appointment will expand our capacity to support our existing and new clients with a whole range of regulatory compliance issues.”
A leading regulatory lawyer
Recognised by Chambers & Partners and Legal 500 as a leading regulatory lawyer, Steve is a trusted port of call for clients requiring critical incident support following serious and fatal work-related accidents, environmental incidents and environmental permitting non-compliance, food poisoning events and in connection with the supply and sale of produce and products that are suspected of being unfit for human consumption.
Commenting on his appointment, Steve Panton said: “I have always respected Stephens Scown’s philosophy, the diverse and impressive range of clients the firm represents and the sectors in which it specialises. I am really looking forward to working with the various legal teams at Stephens Scown, bringing my experience to support private businesses and public sector organisations with the regulatory challenges they face.”
Stephens Scown is an employee-owned, Certified B corp business which is committed to balancing people, planet and profit.