"In my role as Assistant Director of Education for 208 schools, I offered advice to Headteachers on Education and Employment related issues. When matters got beyond my competence, it was great to be able to refer people to Bethan Jones and the team at Michelmores. Those referrals always led to complete satisfaction on the part of the schools. They were delighted by the personal, prompt and efficient service. I recommend them wholeheartedly."
Mike Pittendreigh, HR Consultant"The knowledge and service provided by Bethan and the Michelmores team is always up to date, responses are very thorough and they have a full understanding of our sector. The team are all very approachable."
Sharon Samuel, HR Business Partner, Ventrus Multi-Academy Trust"Wild Planet Trust commissioned Bethan to carry out some employment legal work for us during 2020. This is the first time that we have used Michelmores and we were delighted with the quality of service, legal expertise and on time delivery that we received. We will certainly use Michemores again should the need arise."
Stephen Kings, Chair, Wild Planet Trust"Bethan Jones is a stand out lawyer – she is sensible, easy to communicate with and highly efficient."
Legal 500 2023I’m a Partner in the Employment team, specialising in the full remit of HR issues, including restructuring and redundancies, business sales and acquisitions and day-to-day employee relations issues. I have a particular interest in the Education sector, advising schools and academies on policies and procedures, staff dismissals and managing their relationship with trade unions.
Despite this particular interest, one of the main things I appreciate about specialising in Employment law, is the opportunity it provides to work with such a wide range of organisations – schools and academies, start-ups and SMEs and large corporate clients in a variety of sectors. I regularly advise manufacturing clients, as well as hospices, charities and tech companies. The nature of Employment law means I enjoy long-standing relationships with clients, becoming involved in the ongoing staffing issues they face and I appreciate the chance to gain real insight into the workings of their organisation.
My work is split between defending Employment Tribunal litigation, or advising on judicial mediation, and providing strategic advice to manage staffing issues and assist with planning HR policy. I regularly provide bespoke training for clients on HR issues, as well as general updates on Employment law, most recently working to develop the Firm’s webinar series.
I firmly believe in the need for lawyers to share expertise and am Head of the Firm’s Pro Bono committee, ensuring this aligns with our ESG strategy. I am also a Governor of a local primary school.
I am a recommended lawyer for Employment (Dorset, Devon and Cornwall) by the Legal 500.
Expertise
Recent experience
Advising a large Multi-Academy Trust on threatened employment claims from an ex-employee, relating to disability discrimination and whistleblowing detriment, ultimately successfully negotiating settlement through Judicial Mediation
Advising a charitable trust on the restructure of its senior leadership team, involving the redundancies of two directors and redeployment of senior managers
Supporting a large manufacturer with regular advice on staffing issues, including managing competing grievances from senior personnel
Assisting our Corporate team with the sale of a leisure business, including advice on disclosure and director settlement agreements
Acting for an Academy in negotiating new terms with its catering provider and advising on the TUPE elements of its change in service provider
