Jon was admitted as a solicitor and joined Watmores in 1981, after completing his training contract at Robin Thompson and Partners. He has experience of all the categories of work undertaken by Watmores and has had many years of experience representing local authorities and NHS Trusts, dealing with employers liability and public liability claims.

He represented a local authority in a claim pursued on behalf of a child who fell from the balcony of a council flat after climbing on rubbish that had been left there by the child's family, where the defendants ultimately succeeded in the Court of Appeal. In Hippolyte v London Borough of Bexley he represented another local authority in a claim pursued by a child who sustained a serious asthma attack whilst at school, leading to brain damage, as a result of which she sued the school and the teacher for their failure to summon medical help speedily. The defendants were successful both at first instance and in the Court of Appeal. In another case he represented a school and a teacher when a child sustained serious injury falling from a sk-lift during a school ski trip, and ultimately on the eve of trial the claim against the school and the teacher was abandoned. Jon represented the defendant in a notable case involving workplace stress and bullying, Hyam v Havering PCT, in which the defendants were successful at trial.

Jon has dealt with dyslexia claims including the case of Keating v Bromley BC which was successfully defended in the High Court, and social worker negligence claims including, most recently, B. v Reading Borough Council where the claimant was a father unjustly accused of abusing his child and sought damages in negligence, conspiracy to injure and misfeasance in public office. The claim was successfully defended.

Jon has dealt with cases involving complex technical evidence, including a substantial claim put forward by an RAF pilot who was injured by the sudden movement of an expensive and complex helicopter simulator, the design of which had to be carefully analysed. Jon has also handled various property damage claims, including a substantial claim arising out of the negligent installation of a swimming pool at a school.

In addition, Jon has frequently represented defendants in asbestos-related and numerous other disease claims, including hand/arm vibration syndrome, latex sensitivity, hearing loss and workplace stress claims.

Jon frequently gives advice about policy wording and policy cover including such issues as non-disclosure, late notification, the question of whether the EL or PL policy responds to a risk, and subrogation.

Jon has been the Managing Partner of Watmores since 2007, and has given many presentations to clients on such topics as Part 36 offers, the extent of an employers duties under the "six pack" regulations, and case-law updates.

Email: jgrunewald@watmores.co.uk