I’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.
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