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James Baker

Partner

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  • James Baker
Solicitor – Admitted 2005
Contact
+44 (0) 333 004 3456
+44 (0) 755 705 5775
james.baker@michelmores.com
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He rolls his sleeves up and gets stuff done, and goes beyond what is expected. There’s a lot of empathy and care.

Chambers UK 2026

James is very helpful at outlining a range of options to us and explaining the risks and benefits of each option.

Chambers UK 2026

James Baker: known for his exceptional leadership and strategic thinking. His ability to manage complex cases with ease and provide clear, actionable advice is highly commendable.

Legal 500 2026

Overview

My practice as an Employment law specialist leads me to deal with highly complex, often very sensitive litigation and/or investigations concerning allegations of discrimination, protected disclosures (whistle-blowing), harassment and victimisation. I advise a varied client base including private and public sector organisations and am most commonly instructed by Boards/NEDs or Trustees and high net worth individuals.

The vast majority of my work requires complete discretion and utmost dedication, and I am known for providing a client service that is second to none, across the United Kingdom.

I have worked for Michelmores for over 20 years, including a brief spell in Virginia (USA).

Outside of work, I love nothing more than to be ½ mile off-shore, 15 meters under the surface of the sea, and with a spear-gun in hand.

I am ranked in Band 2 for Employment in Chambers UK, and I am a recommended lawyer for Employment by the Legal 500.

  • Accelerated M&A
  • Agriculture
  • Data Protection & Privacy
  • Employment
  • Employment
  • Entrepreneurs
  • Health Sector
  • Maintained Schools & Academies
  • Public Sector

Recent experience

Successfully defending an NHS organisation in relation to high profile multiple whistle-blowing complaints brought by ex-employees against a number of NHS respondents

Advising a client on a complex series of protected disclosures and grievances brought by multiple employees against the employer client and numerous other employees, and involving external referrals to a regulatory bodies. The matter was concluded without recourse of litigation or non-contractual payments being made to any concerned individual

Representing the Secretary of State for Health in relation to a long-standing employment dispute brought before the Employment Tribunal, Employment Appeals Tribunal and Court of Appeal

Acting for a director in the construction sector faced with threats of dismissal/blackmail from the CEO of his employer. I managed to successfully ensure that the director retained his post within the business, and the removal of the CEO

Successfully representing an employer client faced with a significant multi-million pound TUPE liability, in having the claims brought by employee representatives withdrawn at a preliminary hearing

Chambers Logo

James is a pleasure to work with and his ability to provide a commercial view not just a legal textbook view is quite unique.

Chambers UK 2025

James Baker is exceptional. Advice is always effective and tailored to meet the needs of the client. I could not be happier with service.

Legal 500 2025

James is a very astute and energetic lawyer.

Chambers UK 2024

James Baker is simply exceptional. His knowledge is unrivalled. He is available whenever you need him to be and can always be relied upon for support and expertise. His advice is always tailored not only to the individual case at hand but also the wider strategic needs and vision of the organisation.

Legal 500 2024

James Baker makes you feel like you are his only client. He is attentive and ensures you are able to achieve your goals whilst providing clarity surrounding any risks that may be associated with a course of action.

Legal 500 2024

James fully understands our business needs and offers great insight and advice.

Chambers UK 2023

James Baker has the ability to make you feel like you are his only client, despite what must be a busy schedule.

Legal 500 2023

James Baker is proactive in making contact with you to ensure things are going smoothly. Always responds irrespective of how busy or the time. Looks to find a solution that meets your needs.

Legal 500 2022

Contributions

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E-update
Business Law Today January 2026
Insight
Case update: collective redundancy consultation – Micro Focus v Mildenhall
News
Michelmores welcomes employment law expert Jo Mackie as Partner
News
Michelmores achieves 33 Firm Rankings and 49 Individual Lawyer recognitions in The Legal 500 UK 2026
Insight
Wainwright v Cennox PLC: caution for employers when managing long-term sick leave
Insight
Employment Rights Bill to reinstate School Support Staff Negotiating Body ('SSSNB')
E-update
Business Law Today May 2025
Insight
What should employers be doing to prepare for the new 'failure to prevent fraud' offence, which comes into force on 1 September 2025?
E-update
Business Law Today January 2025
Insight
Regulatory Policy Committee states impact assessments for the Employment Rights Bill are 'not fit for purpose'
Insight
How should employers look after those on long-term sick leave?
Insight
How to create an effective whistleblowing policy
News
Michelmores advises Succession Wealth on acquisition of London Wall Partners
Insight
High Court upholds school's decision to ban prayer rituals
Insight
Harpur Trust v Brazel Supreme Court decision handed down
Insight
Michelmores' 'Millennials, Money & Myths' – a Trainee's Perspective
Insight
Brexit – what does it mean for employers?
Insight
Dismissal on Grounds of Ill-Health
Insight
Increase to Vento bands announced for April 2022
Insight
Gender equality and diversity - what should employers be doing?
Insight
Closure of the Tier 1 Investor visa route
Insight
What employment law developments can we expect in 2022… and beyond?
Insight
Employment Law Round up and Looking Ahead to 2022
Insight
Post Pandemic Predictions: Priorities and Opportunities
Insight
Trade Unions and Collective Bargaining
Insight
Judicial Review lodged over vaccination requirements for care home workers
Insight
Head to Head with Lee Miller, Deputy Chief Executive, Thinking Schools Academy
Insight
Can an employer withhold company sick pay where a member of staff who refuses to get fully vaccinated is "pinged"?
Insight
Will the lack of an appeal render a dismissal for redundancy unfair?
Insight
How to deal with racist and other inappropriate comments on social media by employees
Insight
Can a failure to furlough an employee before making them redundant render a dismissal unfair?
Insight
Is it fair for an employer to reduce salaries of employees who will permanently work from home?
Insight
The obligation to inform and consult - what does a Transferor have to do?
Insight
Duties on the Employment Tribunal to clarify its jurisdiction to hear a claim brought by a foreign national
Insight
When will an employer's discriminatory conduct be deemed out-of-time for the purposes of a 'last straw' constructive dismissal claim?
Insight
Sponsor Licences and Common Mistakes
Insight
Increase to Vento bands announced for April 2021
Insight
What are 'reasonable adjustments' in the recruitment process?
Insight
When is a claim for unpaid annual leave out of time?
Insight
IR35 and off-payroll working updates: April 2021
Insight
Schools and colleges return on 8 March 2021 – FAQs
Insight
Can an employee be dismissed for refusal to wear a mask?
Insight
Is an applicant required to disclose all of their criminal convictions when applying for a role at a school?
Insight
Employment Appeal Tribunal considers whether the inability to grant interim relief in discrimination claims is unlawful
Insight
The impact of Brexit on safer recruitment within the Education Sector
Insight
The Employment Appeal Tribunal held that "without prejudice" protection may fall away where allegations of misrepresentation arise
Insight
Covid-19 Vaccinations: Considerations for UK Employers
Insight
The Government responds to the Gender Recognition Act 2004
Insight
Further extension of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme ('CJRS')
Insight
Constructive unfair dismissal – communicating an acceptance of a repudiatory breach
Insight
Breaking News: Second national lockdown & extension of coronavirus job retention scheme
Insight
Further Update to Job Support Scheme
Insight
The FCA updates its whistleblowing guidance
Insight
No laughing matter - will an employer be vicariously liable for a contractor's injury arising out of an employee's practical joke at the workplace?
Insight
Expansion of Job Support Scheme: Business closures due to COVID-19 restrictions
Insight
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme & Job Retention Bonus Update: New Treasury Direction
Insight
Can training costs constitute a deduction for the purpose of calculating National Minimum Wage?
Insight
Covid-19 Update: the chancellor's winter economy plan & the job support scheme
Insight
COVID-19 Employment Update: Prime Minister's Announcement 22 September 2020
Insight
Business Legal Hour - Employment Law - 15th September
Insight
First COVID-19 related Employment Tribunal case sets a precedent for future claims
Insight
Webinar - Business Legal Hour: Employment 14 July 2020
Insight
Employment law – rights of surrogates
Insight
COVID-19 Employment law digest - 29 June 2020
Insight
COVID-19 - Employment law digest 8 June 2020
Insight
COVID-19 – Employment law digest – 18 May 2020
Insight
COVID-19 Employment update: Breaking news 15 May 2020
Insight
COVID-19 - extension to Job Retention Scheme 13 May 2020
Insight
COVID-19 - Employment law digest: returning to work – 11 May 2020
Insight
COVID-19 - Employment law update digest - 27 April 2020
Insight
Coronavirus (COVID-19) – claiming employees' wages through the Job Retention Scheme
Insight
Coronavirus (COVID-19) - definitive guidance on the Job Retention Scheme?
Insight
Managing Coronavirus disruption – practical steps for businesses
Insight
Coronavirus (COVID-19) and employment – update on Working Time Regulations, Health & Wellbeing and Working from Home
Insight
Coronavirus – update on the Job Retention Scheme
Insight
Coronavirus (COVID-19) – advice for employers
Insight
Employment considerations for new businesses
Insight
Staff accommodation and the minimum wage
Insight
Michelmores advise Mole Valley Farmers on acquisition of Farmway
Insight
The rights of EU Nationals and the employment law landscape post-Brexit
Insight
The Annual Ofsted Report: An overview for maintained schools and academies
Insight
Break glass in the event of no-deal Brexit
Insight
No Deal – no Change? Workplace rights if there’s no Brexit deal
Insight
Managing mental health issues in the workplace
Insight
Employment Law in 2018 - a brief overview of upcoming changes
Insight
Essentials of the new apprenticeship levy
Insight
Agri Lore - Employment Tribunal fee regime abolished
Insight
Plus ça change? – Employment law post-Brexit or a gaze into the murky crystal ball
Insight
Serial offenders and expired notice – to dismiss or not to dismiss?
Insight
Strike on the NHS
Insight
ECJ decision heralds the end of travel time stand still for employees
News
Michelmores announces new Partner and Associate promotions
News
Last places remaining at Michelmores' employment law conference
Insight
Annual Employment Law Conference to be reprised in London
Insight
Mock Employment Tribunal Success

Contact us

+44 (0) 333 004 3456

enquiries@michelmores.com

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© Michelmores LLP is a Limited Liability Partnership, authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA authorisation number 463401) and registered in England and Wales under Partnership No. OC326242.

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