Leading the department, Sarah Henchoz at Allen & Overy LLP applies her breadth of expertise in all facets of employment law to represent employers in employer-related litigation, particularly on whistleblowing and discrimination cases, in addition to transactional support and strategic advisory. Robbie Sinclair is another partner to note for TUPE issues, contractual work and redundancy programmes. Vicky Wickremeratne is recommended for investigations and contentious work, with a focus on whistleblowing, harassment and discrimination, as well as business protection matters. Another key member of the team is global litigation co-head Karen Seward, who specialises in contentious employment matters; she recently relocated to the west coast of the US to work out of the firm's growing San Francisco and Silicon Valley bases.

Baker McKenzie is a heavyweight across the whole spectrum of employment law. Renowned for its international transactional capabilities, the firm routinely acts on multi-jurisdictional restructuring processes, often for household names in the financial sector. It also has strong capabilities in industrial relations and European Works Councils. Leading the team, John Evason is the figure to note for investigations, boardroom disputes and senior executive terminations, injunctions and complex litigation including equal pay. Regulatory specialist Monica Kurnatowska works alongside transactional employment lawyer Carl Richards on cross-border TUPE and M&A mandates. Stephen Ratcliffe is sought after for his expertise on employee benefits, immigration and mobility issues. Counsels Lily Collyer and Annabel Mackay are the other integral members.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP has ‘superb strength in depth’ with a formidable reputation for handling the most complex and important contentious matters, such as its continued defence of Tesco against a class equal pay action. Christine Young heads the data privacy and data subjects rights practice, supported by Siân McKinley. Practice head Andrew Taggart is a leading figure in complex employment disputes, equal pay claims and regulatory matters. ‘Intellectually and technically strong with exceptional judgement’ Tim Leaver handles contentious and transactional matters, and is the firms’ mental health and wellbeing mentor on the Ability Network Committee. Peter Frost is a ‘superb strategist’ in complex, high-profile disputes. Jennifer Andrews is another key transactional and regulatory lawyer.

Richard Miskella spearheads Lewis Silkin‘s sizeable top-tier team of employment and litigation specialists covering investigations, trade unions, discrimination and international transactional and restructuring support. Clients hail from the financial services, tech, retail and the creative industries. ‘Standout‘ litigator Toni Lorenzo is considered an expert on restrictive covenants and team moves, while Miskella is a partner of note for investigations and culture change programmes. Michael Burd likewise supports many leading employer clients on high-value disputes, senior terminations and strategic projects. Also notable are the experienced employment practitioner James Davies, Colin Leckey for worker status and equal pay, High Court litigator Michael Anderson, and head of workplace investigations Karen Baxter. Shalina Crossley is recommended for socio-economic discrimination and health and safety issues.

Lauded for its track record in big-ticket tribunal and High Court cases, Linklaters LLP‘s practice head and key litigator Nicola Rabson has ‘unparalleled experience’ acting on behalf of financial sector clients and PLC’s in investigations, restrictive covenants and board and management level issues. It is also increasingly instructed on mandates relating to workplace culture, approaches to flexible working and workplace activism. Jean Lovett leads the transactional employment practice, and Sinead Casey is a solid choice of counsel for investigations and crisis management mandates.

A go-to for global brands through to mid-size UK companies in the financial and professional services, media and entertainment, sport and fashion, Mishcon de Reya LLP's practice is highly regarded for its breadth of expertise in employment law, particularly its knowledge of diversity and gender pay, the implications of the gig economy and the interplay between data, transparency and privacy. Daniel Naftalin‘s practice spans both advisory and litigious work. Sharon Tan and Joanna Blackburn often support blue-chip clients in senior exits, discrimination claims, international employment support and workforce restructuring. For Tribunal work, Sarah Keeble, Susannah Kintish and Emily Knight, are recommended.

Simmons & Simmons is ‘exceptionally strong’ in cross-border transactional work and has a strong background representing investment banks, hedge funds and asset managers in bet-the-company litigation. The practice has seen an increase in instructions related to ESG issues, conduct risk and diversity mandates. The firm has also growing its portfolio of TMT, asset management and sporting sector clients, bolstered by the arrival of Mandy Perry and Dan Ornstein in 2021. Focusing on the financial sector, Andrea Finn's practice covers whistleblowing claims, investigations and advice on the SMRC. Julian Taylor is another key senior partner for restrictive covenants and implications of corporate transactions.

Addleshaw Goddard has a close collaboration with major employers in the financial services, retail and consumer space and works alongside HR teams to advise on strategic issues, such as business protection, boardroom issues, investigations, global mobility, major projects and compliance. HR issues relating to inbound investment from the US is a specialisation of the firm. Though Michael Leftley‘s practice covers contentious and non-contentious aspects, he is best known for his representation in whistle-blowing and discrimination claims. Richard Yeomans and Sarah Harrop handle senior executive appointments and terminations, TUPE, large-scale reorganisations/redundancy programmes and tribunal claims.

Clifford Chance LLP‘s full-service employment practice has seen a significant rise in instructions relating to Covid-19 related issues, such as vaccination status and data protection issues, as well as in the implementation of the new remuneration regime under the MIFIDPRU Remuneration Code. Other areas of involvement include regulatory changes affecting financial services, regulatory investigations, #metoo investigations and in governance and boardroom advice. Alistair Woodland has a well-earned reputation acting for major corporate and financial sector clients on remuneration, data security and regulatory investigations. Mike Crossan supports clients on outsourcings, the Acquired Rights Directive (TUPE) and international projects. Chinwe Odimba-Chapman and Alastair Windass are the other key figures.

Leveraging full-service employment law capabilities, CMS continues to develop its contentious offering, with new instructions in industrial disputes, and tribunal cases involving disability and sex discrimination, particularly those brought by unrepresented claimants with mental health challenges. Co-heading the team, Melanie Lane focuses on cross-border matters, business reorganisations and outsourcings. Catherine Taylor is the go-to counsel for employers on employee competition and contractual disputes, while 'exceptional' Hannah Netherton has a following among clients in the life sciences, tech and financial services space. Anna Cope is likewise a trusted employment advisor to insurance, TMT and consumer goods sector clients.

Financial services and healthcare sectors are the bedrock of DAC Beachcroft LLP employment practice, which is instructed on industrial relations and internal investigations, regulatory employment matters and data privacy issues, the latter of which practice head Khurram Shamsee is considered an expert in. Shamsee works with financial sector clients in their defence to discrimination claims, whistle-blowing and senior-level exits. Udara Ranasinghe is similarly considered an expert in healthcare employment. Georgina Rowley leads the cross-border advisory matters, often working with EMEA and US headquartered clients.

Best known for its stellar portfolio of clients in the financial services, Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP advises PLC's and City employers on the SMCR regime, pandemic related issues, and alongside its financial services disputes team, dealing with complex investigations and reviews. It also houses a busy industrial relations practice, headed by Marc Meryon. 'Impressive' Paul Fontes has earned a solid reputation as defence counsel in tribunals and High Court bet-the-company disputes. He also routinely advises on remuneration, restrictive covenants, business reorganisations and restructurings. Also in the financial space, Sophie White is experienced in complex TUPE issues arising out of outsourcing, corporate and insolvency. Joining in June from GQ | LITTLER, litigator Hannah Mahon is a specialist in unfair dismissal, discrimination and whistle-blowing claims.

Providing ‘boutique employment advice with global coverage’ GQ | LITTLER has a deep bench of advisory expertise coupled with a history of success representing employers in litigation. As part of the Littler Global network, the firm undertakes a significant amount of cross-border mandates, and has seen an increase in instructions from US based law firms seeking UK employment advice on large scale global transactions. It also recently launched a new service offering English employment law advice in French. Early 2022 saw the arrival of partners Laura Lobb and Nicola James, both specialising in employment aspects of international transactions. Senior litigator Paul Quain launched the Littler Pride network for Europe, aiming to foster and maintain an inclusive work environment for LGBTQ+ lawyers and non-lawyers alike. For transactional support, Cerys Williams, Darren Isaacs and Daniel Pollard are the go-to lawyers. Raoul Parekh and Richard Harvey co-lead the international employment offering.

Taylor Wessing LLP‘s employment practice has extensive expertise advising US based and UK household names in the technology, financial services and life sciences sectors on both corporate transactions and litigation in the tribunal and High Court. The practice also has a busy regulatory practice, and has seen an increase in instructions relating to the SMCR regime, employee data privacy issues and diversity. Paul Callaghan ‘understands his US clients and markets like no other employment lawyer’ and as a New York qualified lawyer, leads on all international employment projects. Helen Farr, Sean Nesbitt and Anna Carey lend complementary expertise with their handling of workplace discrimination, outsourcings, team moves, boardroom disputes and employment cases involving financial services regulatory issues.

Travers Smith LLP‘s ‘unflappable, very experienced top-drawer team‘ is equally at home advising on employment matters of cross-border corporate transactions as it is representing multinationals and smaller companies in employment tribunals. Practice head Ed Mills is ‘one of the best practitioners in the field‘; he focuses on board level disputes, the SMCR regime, team moves, TUPE and trade union issues. Sian Keall represents financial sector clients, while Tim Gilbert is an expert in TUPE and outsourcing. Adam Wyman and Alex Fisher are both names to note for tribunal work, executive dismissals and corporate disposals and acquisitions.

Bird & Bird LLP continues to service multi-national corporations operating in its specialist sectors of technology, life sciences, retail and aviation. Ian Hunter draws on his 30 year experience to advise employers on the full range of non-contentious matters, international employment mandates and litigation. He and Elizabeth Lang have been particularly busy supporting clients on job retention schemes, cross-border restructuring, vaccine roll-out and union matters. Tim Spillane routinely advises on senior-level terminations and restrictive covenant/trade secrets cases, alongside whistleblowing and discrimination disputes. Alison Dixon is noted for her deep expertise on employment aspects of commercial transactions.

Adam Lambert chairs the UK wide employment department at Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner, which is a reputable choice for complex litigation, internal investigations and day-to-day employment advice. Owing to its global footprint, it is also well-equipped to handle multijurisdictional restructuring and corporate mandates. In TUPE matters, Lambert takes the lead, and is supported by Rebecca Harding-Hill on the contentious side. She specialises in sensitive and reputational litigation in the financial sector, such as injunctions, team moves, discrimination and whistleblowing. Catherine Turner made partner in early 2022 and is also a top litigator. Regulatory partner Lisa Mayhew is noted for gender discrimination cases. Senior associate Jackie Thomas is another name recommended for global restructuring exercises and disciplinary, grievance and data protection issues.

Jason Butwick heads the employment practice at Dechert LLP, which is particularly sought after for its capabilities in employee restructuring, furlough and COVID-19 related matters, regulatory compliance and contentious mandates. Former practice head Charles Wynn-Evans has taken on the position of international general counsel.

Tim Marshall is the main contact at DLA Piper’s employment practice, where he primarily advises on boardroom disputes and restrictive covenants, and has built up a reputation representing clients in the financial sector, owing to his membership of the firms’ financial services group. Elsewhere, Jonathan Exten-Wright has built up a niche advising cross-border mandates at the intersection of business, employment and human rights, which includes use of contingent labour, issues of trade union action and NGO campaigns. He is also increasingly instructed on transparency and reporting requirements in the area of non-financial risk, and the social aspects of ESG frameworks.

Demonstrating a ‘balance of understanding and empathy whilst offering robust and clear advice’, Farrer & Co continues to grow its specialist contentious practice, with new instructions in internal investigations, discrimination, whistleblowing and dismissal-related claims. In the non-contentious space, the firm assists employers with design and implementation of appropriate safeguarding policies, large-scale redundancy and collective consultation programmes, trade union work and TUPE. Head of practice David Smellie has developed a strong relationship with employers in the education and sports sector. Rachel Lewis is sought after by employers from the cultural, professional services, while David Hunt acts for financial institutions. Anna Birtwistle, Kathleen Heycock and Eleanor Rowswell are the other integral figures. William Dawson retired in April 2021.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP stands out for its reputation in employment appeal tribunals and capabilities in cross-border regulatory mandates, trade union campaigns and expertise in the life sciences. Matthew Howse leads the team and is an expert across the full spectrum of employment law. The team are particularly sought after as independent investigators on highly sensitive disciplinary, whistleblowing and regulatory proceedings. Louise Skinner is recommended for gender pay gap and workplace equality matters.

RPC has ‘tremendous strength in depth on all employment law’, particularly in litigation and advisory mandates involving the media, technology and retail sectors. Patrick Brodie leads the busy litigious practice, where he is known for his work on restrictive covenants, restraint of trade injunctions and highly sensitive investigations. Kelly Thomson brings her transactional and advisory expertise to assist employers in the field of workforce diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging. Partnering with the Social Book Club, she assist with the production of children’s books teaching equality and the law (such as on gender pay gap and disability).

One of Slaughter and May‘s key strengths is advising listed and privately held clients on the full range of board-level employment matters, from appointments to terminations, remuneration and disputes. Padraig Cronin and Philip Linnard advise clients across on the full range of employment and incentives issues, including whistleblowing, investigations and employee terminations, as well as advising on TUPE, restructurings, outsourcings and incentives aspects of transactions. Senior associate Philippa O’Malley undertakes a mix of contentious and non-contentious work, and is particularly recommended for diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Charles Cameron is an expert on corporate pension plans.

Squire Patton Boggs is a reputable counsel for global employment transformation projects, especially those involving a DEI agenda. Data privacy, gender pay gap, psychological safeguarding and Covid-19 related projects are its key areas of instruction. It launched the Global Edge 2.0, a global employment tech tool providing in-house lawyers and HR professionals with access to key employment law and developments in 39 countries. Caroline Noblet leverages over 30 years experience across all contentious and non-contentious areas of employment law. Practice head David Whincup is the firms’ main resource for internal workplace investigations, discrimination and worker status.

Stephenson Harwood provides ‘top quality legal advice from a practical perspective‘ across the full spectrum of contentious, transactional and advisory employment work. Advising on restrictive covenants, and pursuing and defending team and individual moves in the High Court, is one of the firms’ distinguishing areas. Paul Reeves ‘is exactly the lawyer you want in your corner‘ and is often instructed by financial, hospitality and retail sector clients. Anne Pritam has a well-deserved reputation as a seasoned litigator, whilst also being experienced in expulsion, de-equitisation, discrimination, remuneration and business restrictions. Richard Freedman made partner in May 2022 and is recommended for global projects and TUPE transfers.

Utilising its global network, Clyde & Co's employment practice is well equipped to advise on multijurisdictional corporate transactions, and is a favourite among corporates in the financial and professional services, and insurance sectors. Its contentious capability is equally strong, with high-profile team moves, restrictive covenant and confidentiality disputes being a speciality of the firm. Robert Hill leads the team which includes Chris Holme and litigator James Major.

Doyle Clayton‘s highly regarded specialist employer practice is noted for its ‘breadth of practice’ across the full gamut of HR advisory, transactional support and High Court litigation. It is also distinguished for its capabilities in internal investigations, business restructuring, board-level disputes and experience working with start-ups. Peter De Maria‘s ‘legal knowledge and feel for the strategic intricacies of this area are second to none’. He is assisted by Dan Begbie-Clench, Helen Brooks and ‘outstanding junior’, director Katie Mahoney.

Fox Williams LLP is known for its specialism representing LLPs and partnerships, particularly international and UK law firms on sensitive partner related issues, discrimination and regulatory and reporting obligations of solicitors and barristers. Joanna Chatterton and David Murphy have a track record acting for financial and professional services sector clients on the full range of advisory and contentious employment work. Jane Mann and Aron Pope act for the firms’ tech and fintech clients.

Kingsley Napley LLP has a good reputation acting for financial institutions and clients from the professional services, with a growing stream of work from US companies with a presence in London. It continues to be sought out for complex workplace investigations, particularly in relation to fraud, discrimination and allegations of sexual misconduct in the workplace. Corinne Aldridge, Adrian Crawford and Richard M Fox continue to represent employers and senior executives on a broad range of employment issues.

Macfarlanes LLP excels in handling reputationally-sensitive issues and business-critical litigation. Large corporate transactions involving substantial workforce restructurings and HR issues generated by Covid-19 continues to be the other areas of focus. The firm displays familiarity in asset management, financial services, hospitality and issues involving partnership law. Hayley Robinson and Seán Lavin are the lead partners.

Drawing on its global footprint, Mayer Brown International LLP is able to assist international clients, largely from the financial services, insurance and consumer goods sectors, on employment aspects of commercial transactions, restructuring projects, investigations, discrimination and unfair dismissal claims. Practice head Christopher Fisher and Miriam Bruce are both highly experienced handling disputes in the financial services.

Multi-national businesses, especially those operating in the tech, life science, transport and energy sectors, utilise Norton Rose Fulbright's London office as a platform and footprint for a wide range of global employment and HR legal issues. Head of EMEA employment department, Paul Griffin has a well-earned reputation for international employment issues. Catrina Smith also handles matters with an international element and is recommended for TUPE, remuneration issues, whistle-blowing and discrimination claims. 

Benefitting from a wide scope of practice and its international presence, Osborne Clarke LLP is often engaged in cross-border TUPE transfer and employment issues relating to corporate acquisitions, employee relations and regulatory matters. The practice is also well versed in GDPR for HR issues; an offering established by Olivia Sinfield. The practice is led by ‘outstanding‘ co-heads, David Cubitt and Victoria Parry.

A favourite among London Stock Exchange or AIM listed employers, Pinsent Masons LLP's practice has a strong focus on financial services and has a strong track record advising on board-led strategic work, transactional and the corporate governance aspects of employment law and litigation. Helen Corden leads the team from Birmingham and is supported by her London based colleagues Ed Goodwyn, Anne Sammon and Fleur Benns.

The financial services, TMT and life sciences markets comprise the majority of Reed Smith LLP‘s areas of instruction, where its team impresses with ‘a very extensive knowledge across all areas of employment law’. Practice head Robin Jeffcott supports multinational financial services organisations on some of their most challenging matters, on both sides of the spectrum, with a strong track record in litigation and restrictive covenants. Graham Green advises on discrimination, whistleblowing, unfair dismissals, as well as disputes involving executive compensation and other compensation arrangements.

With a specialism in the financial services, Ashurst's employment practice is a popular choice for banks, multinational corporates, asset managers and private equity clients on employment aspects of corporate and M&A transactions and litigation. Crowley Woodford's practice spans whistleblowing and discrimination claims, senior hires and dismissals, and complex investigations with a regulatory component.

Lucy McLynn leads the employment department at Bates Wells, which continues to maintain strong activity in sensitive tribunal cases, involving precedent-setting topics such as transgender rights. The firm is also highlighted for its expertise in employment data protection, internal investigations involving bullying and misuse of power, and its longstanding track record working with charity/not-for-profit employers. William Garnett and Paul Jennings are the other key partners.

Capsticks LLP is market renowned for providing employment services to a plethora of private and public sector employers in the health, emergency services and social care sectors. Areas of growth include mandates arising out of the pandemic, litigation involving emergency services and police misconduct cases. National head of employment Victoria Watson often represents doctors in high-profile disputes, while Martin Hamilton advises on senior executive issues and is likewise, a top litigator in High Court and tribunal cases. Head of NHS healthcare Andrew Rowland is another distinguished employment specialist.

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP's ‘professional, knowledgeable and supportive' practice recently introduced its R4 Consultancy and Support services (Review, Report, Resolve, and Respect), aimed at combining specialists in employment, regulatory requirements, reputation management, equality and diversity training, and HR investigations, to assist clients with auditing and training. Trevor Bettany deals with all aspects of employment law, from large scale variation exercises to LLP disputes. Michael Powner is a top employment advisor to leading clients in the retail, food and drinks, sports and hospitality sectors.

CM Murray LLP‘s ‘outstanding‘ Clare Murray-led employment team continues to maintains a strong reputation for its handling of sensitive sexual harassment and bullying allegations on behalf of employers, enforcement of restrictive covenants, with High Court litigation being its key area of specialism. David Fisher and Merrill April are also highly recommended.

Offering multidisciplinary expertise with a global footprint, Deloitte Legal is a popular choice for corporate employers for cross-border TUPE transfers, reorganisations and restructurings. Practice head David Williams and the ‘exceptional‘ Andrew Lilley are its key contacts. Williams is recommended for litigation, while Lilley is the go-to for consumer industry clients, and advise involving senior executives, incentives and redundancy programmes.

Dentons‘ employment department utilises its global network to bring in complementary expertise across multiple jurisdictions. Focusing on contentious, transactional and advisory matters, the firm advises financial institutions and multinationals on cross-border TUPE matters and employment issues arising from corporate transactions. Global chair of the employment practice, Purvis Ghani is a key figure. Former practice head Virginia Allen left the firm in 2022 to join EY Law.

Jane Amphlett leads the employment team at Howard Kennedy LLP, where she is a recognised expert in discrimination, whistleblowing and harassment claims. ‘Extremely knowledgeable in her field’ of sports and transportation, Sam Murray-Hinde is the go-to counsel for employee issues in a unionised environment and in tribunals. Clients largely hail from the retail, charitable organisations, leisure, media and financial services.

With a deep bench strength of more than 50 lawyers and growing, Keystone Law‘s employment department is one of the largest in London owing to its vigorous recruitment drive, which saw the arrival of 8 new partners in 2021. Angharad Harris and Nicholas Robertson co-lead the practice, both with decades of experience across full range of employment issues for employers. Fraser Younson is an expert in TUPE, discrimination claims, European Works Councils, industrial disputes and restrictive covenants, among others. Emma Clark has niche expertise in maternity law and family-friendly rights, while the arrival of Lee McIntyre-Hamilton strengthens the practice’s expertise in global mobility and international employment tax.

McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP ‘pragmatic’ and ‘collaborative’ duo Paul McGrath and practice head, Katie Clark are skilled in TUPE, employment status and worker classification issues, HR-related data privacy matters, complex investigations and employment litigation. The firm is a favourite with corporates from from the healthcare, financial and professional services, manufacturing, sports and TMT sectors.

At Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP, Paul Mander leverages over 30 years’ experience in contentious and non-contentious employment and partnership matters. Recognised for his expertise in boardroom disputes, employment status issues and restrictive covenants/injunctions, he is sought after by a range of employers, from financial institutions through to e-commerce operators. Elsewhere, Andrew Haywood has a strong sports-side focus and often advises on misuse of confidential information, social media and competitive moves. Nick Humphreys is the key contact for international and maritime aspects of employment law.

Chris Perkins co-leads PwC LLP’s global employment law team where he is known for his international expertise, ranging from employment aspects of start-ups, through day-to-day compliance requirements and HR documentation. Ed Stacey is the lead expert on inclusion and diversity matters, gender pay reviews, equal pay audits, partner investigations and associated litigation.

Jo Keddie leads the employment department at Winckworth Sherwood LLP, where she is a highly experienced counsel in High Court and tribunals and is equally skilled in non-contentious and HR advisory matters. She is recommended for complex and sensitive investigations, particularly in relation to organisations and individuals who are subject to regulation in the legal, accountancy and financial sectors. Andrea London and Blair Adams are the other key figures.

Arnold & Porter takes a niche focus and primarily advises on employment issues impacting the healthcare, life sciences and pharmaceutical sectors. It reports an uptick in pan-European instructions and global projects, particularly in relation to cross-border employment privacy compliance. The firm also handles internal investigations, whistle-blowing and overlapping regulatory issues. ‘Outstanding‘ Henry Clinton-Davis is the practice head.

BDB Pitmans specialises in employment advice in relation to business structuring and transactions, with cross-border restructuring, workplace contracts and advice on industrial relations being core areas of work. Practice head Brian Gegg is a recommended counsel for all manner of HR support, particularly in the real estate, transport and IT sectors.

Specialising in servicing the health, social-care and public services markets, Bevan Brittan LLP holds a strong client roster comprised of NHS Trusts, local government bodies, higher education establishment and private sector employers. Jodie Sinclair leads the team and is assisted by the ‘exceptional‘ Alastair Currie.

Brahams Dutt Badrick French LLP's name partner Gareth Brahams leads a group of ‘technically highly skilled lawyers with emotional intelligence and strategic nous'. Continuing to focus on the regulated financial services and insurance sectors, the group routinely handle matters at the intersection of employment and regulatory law, such as Solvency II, the Remuneration Code, and on Solicitors Regulation Authority implications in respect of sexual harassment. It is also recognised for its capabilities in employment litigation.

Burges Salmon LLP continues to assist major blue-chip international and FTSE-100 companies in their UK employment matters, and is noted for its litigious capabilities as well as handling cross-border restructuring and redundancy exercises. Clients hail from the financial services, defence, transport, retail, healthcare, energy and the public sector. Key figures Adrian Martin and Chris Seaton divide their time between the London and Bristol offices.

Fladgate LLP is a solid choice for employment related issues relating to corporate transactions, with demonstratable depth of expertise in outsourcing and TUPE regulations. Practice head Taj Rehal is assisted by partner Mike Tremeer in handling the full breadth of matters, from multinational re-organisations through to complex litigation.

Owing to its international presence, Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher routinely acts for UK, Middle-East and US based corporates on their cross-border corporate transactions, restructurings, collective representation and data privacy. The firm is also well equipped to represent clients in high value employment disputes, particularly in relation to team moves and restrictive covenants. James Cox is the lead partner.

At Harbottle & Lewis LLP, Marian Derham is well known for advising clients in the entertainment, theatre, music, fashion and the creative arts. Howard Hymanson leads the contentious side of the practice, often acting in novel claims at the crossroads of employment and personal injury law. He also has experience in defending claims of workplace bullying and stress, often in the professional services sector. Yvonne Gallagher is the key figure for board disputes and corporate transactions.

Focusing on the insurance and transportation sectors, Kennedys' lead lawyer Matthew Leake demonstrates expertise supporting clients in day-to-day HR matters and in reorganisations, redundancies and drafting employment-related contracts. The firm has a niche acting for unionised employers and litigating in respect of industrial action disputes and other trade union related law.

Following acquisition by RBH Holdings in 2021, Memery Crystal (part of RBG Legal Services) fields the transactional and employment advisory expertise of Stephen Ravenscroft, with the disputes capabilities of sister-firm Rosenblatt. The group has also added two partners, Sarah Glockler and Michelle Chance, to enhance its non-contentious HR offering, including disciplinary and grievance matters, and its growing financial services and US based client roster.

Suzanne Horne leads Paul Hastings LLP's full-service employment department where she is lauded as an ‘excellent technical expert and litigation strategist’. The firm also demonstrates capabilities advising on multi-jurisdictional employee transitions, restructures, transactional work and HR counselling.

Demonstrating ‘strength in depth’ Trowers & Hamlins LLP‘ practice is led by Emma Burrows who leads on business transformations, TUPE, inclusivity measures and managing senior staff exits and board disputes. Nicola Ihnatowicz is another key partner advising on sustainable workforces and providing HR support.

Wallace LLP continues to be a sought after counsel for employers in discrimination and whistleblowing litigation. The firm is also known for its niche representing household names in the hospitality/leisure and commercial real estate sectors. Joining in April 2022, former Hill Dickinson LLP partner James Williams grew the client base to include names in the education, financial services, advertising and tech sectors. He is also one of a handful of specialist maritime employment lawyers. Daniel Isaac leads the practice.

Wedlake Bell LLP fields a ‘competent, practical team with talent distributed fully throughout’. Led by Adam Grant, the practice has developed a niche representing financial services companies with extensive capabilities supporting on global corporate transactions, business reorganisations and litigation. Grant also has a keen following among household names in the hospitality and creative arts sectors.

Nicholas Greenacre heads the EMEA employment, compensation and benefits team at White & Case LLP focusing on corporate transactions, reorganisations and the establishment of management incentive plans in a private equity context. Helen Joseph is the lead lawyer for cross-border employment exercises and restructuring, outsourcing and HR issues.

Leading the employment practice at Withers LLP, Meriel Schindler is a trusted counsel to household name charities, financial services businesses and fashion/luxury brands, advising on a range of matters, from contract negotiations to sensitive investigations and disputes. Other key partners Claire Christy and Hugh More are are particularly active in partnership disputes and day-to day support on matters arising out of the pandemic.

Bellevue Law is a boutique practice with a focus on servicing tech companies, professional service business and start-ups in all manner of employment and HR issues; from preparing contracts and policies, through to investigations, negotiated exits and employment disputes. Florence Brocklesby heads the practice, which also includes senior consultant Rachel Clementson.

Bristows LLP expanded its international employment and global mobility expertise with the arrival of practice head Gareth Wadley (from Gateley Legal) together with of counsel Lizzie Field in late 2021. The team, which also includes of counsel Justin Costley, works alongside its corporate department to lend its complementary expertise in TUPE and employment related aspects of large outsourcing projects.

Cooley (UK) LLP's employment expertise ranges from complex corporate transactions to reputational risk issues and other litigation, as well as employee data protection issues - a niche specialty of the practice. The firm is also active on global corporate transactions and restructuring exercises, owing to its global presence. Ann Bevitt is the key partner.

Duane Morris demonstrates strengths advising multinationals, SME’s and start-ups on organised labour and trade disputes. To complement its contentious practice, the team led by Nic Hart also supports clients with TUPE transfers, large-scale reorganisations, contract drafting and executive dismissals.

Edwin Coe LLP has a longstanding track record working with clients in financial services, engineering, charities and TMT sectors. Extending its contentious and non-contentious offering the group added Clare Gilroy-Scott and Alexandra Bonner from David Bigmore & Co in Association with Goodman Derrick LLP, both with experience acting across the whole employment law spectrum. Practice head Linky Trott 'combines excellent professional skills with a client service approach’. Ruth Hickling and Emma Sangeelee are the other key contacts.

Boasting an eight-partner employment team, Excello Law is experienced in drafting documentation, defending tribunal claims, High Court injunction proceedings, restructuring and redundancies, investigations disciplinaries and grievances. The firm also receives a significant amount of instructions on employment aspects of corporate transactions. David Greenhalgh and Hina Belitz are the key contacts.

Ince & Co is instructed by pharmaceutical, retail, tech, media and entertainment sector clients on cross-jurisdictional employment law and HR advisory. Litigator Martin Pratt is particularly active in claims involving whistleblowing, discrimination and bonus claims.

A favourite among German-speaking and US-based employers, Irwin Mitchell is known for its developing education employment practice, and its expertise in the financial services, insurance and technology markets. Dual qualified head of practice Sybille Steiner is qualified to advise on employment issues under English and German law.

King & Spalding LLP is particularly recommended for cross-border employment projects, namely recruitment, Brexit-related exercises and investigations. Its lead partner Jules Quinn often works with in-house counsel of U.S and foreign multinationals on employee transfers, and the restructuring of European workforces.

Covering contentious, transactional and advisory work, Morrison Foerster has seen a growth in instructions in Covid-related employment advisory, outsourcing and in cases involving restraint of trade and protection of business interests. Managing partner Annabel Gillham specialises in cross-border issues, employee data protection and data crisis management and regulatory investigations.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (UK) LLP regularly works alongside its US offices to support multinationals in the tech, energy, infrastructure and financial services on multijurisdictional corporate transactions and restructuring exercises. ‘Tactically astute and superb with clients’ Nicola Whiteley leverages 25 years’ experience in disputes, TUPE, personnel moves and regulatory issues.

Known for its ‘excellent commercial approach and more than just a safe pair of hands’, Vedder Price‘s team is led by Jonathan Maude who has a wealth of experience across the full spectrum of employment law-related issues. Core areas of instructions include confidentiality/restraint disputes, data privacy, business reorganisations and transfer issues.

Known in the market for its specialisation in the maritime, transportation, infrastructure and energy sectors, Watson Farley & Williams LLP combines full service capabilities with an international reach. Devan Khagram leads a busy maritime/shipping employment practice, advising on vaccination of seafarers, cross-border redundancies, repatriation and collective bargaining agreements. Anna Robinson is the go-to lawyer for aviation, financial services, gambling and retail clients, and is recommended for discrimination claims.