Next Generation Partners

Immigration in East Midlands

OTB Legal

With strength in sponsor licenses, the Nottingham-based practice at OTB Legal often handles spouse and naturalisation applications. Co-head of the practice Mark Lilley-Tams is knowledgeable of personal immigration matters, including British citizenship and EU Settlement Schemes, family type applications, and long residence. Sally McEwen is noted for her capabilities in business immigration, notably entry clearance, license compliance, as well as the switching of employment applications. Emma Cohen specializes in visa applications for children living abroad to join their UK relatives, while Lydia Watkinson handles cases involving BNO visas.

Practice head(s):

Sally McEwen; Mark Lilley-Tams


Other key lawyers:

Emma Cohen; Lydia Watkinson


Testimonials

‘An amazing team, they are always answering calls quickly and are very polite. Mark Lilley Tams is definitely the best solicitor I have ever dealt with. He is very professional and has great attention to detail.’

‘What I appreciated most was the empathy and clear understanding of the situation. They gave an accurate assessment to assure the success of our application.’

‘They had a long conversation with me and they deeply understood my case.’

‘The team was very professional and transparent through the whole process. The fact they have a team with different skills (family visas, work/business visas, etc.) shows they are focused on mastering all different routes available.’

‘Every single individual I had contact with has shown true commitment and knowledge about my case.’

‘Emma Cohen stood out as a diligent and persistent solicitor. Emma was concerned with our difficult situation and how she could remedy my adopted son’s stateless situation.’

‘Emma Cohen is professional, and calm. She showed her vast experience in this subject with our ILR.’

‘Sally McEwen has a phenomenal ability to assess immigration applications. Her technical capability delivers precise and structured approaches to achieving immigration outcomes for individuals and families moving to the UK.’

Key clients

Sharkmob London Limited


Symrise Ltd


Human Security Limited


The Rug Company


NuVision Biotherapies


Don Percival – Brewin Dolphin 1762


Impression Digital


Work highlights


  • Advised Sharkmob London in filling 35 senior artistic (skilled worker) positions at the company, and providing training to their talent acquisition managers and HR teams.
  • Advised GME Services on all aspects of their sponsored workers and compliance issues.
  • Advised Fernando Huff Trein in a overseas business settlement application.

Paragon Law

Highlighted for its experience in representing trafficking victims and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, Paragon Law is well-regarded for its corporate immigration expertise. The practice is also a strong choice for leading domestic universities and is knowledgeable of sponsorship license management. Thalej Vasishta and Kirin Abbas lead the corporate immigration sphere. Vasishta handles sponsorship compliance, while Abbas handles the employment of overseas university academics. Deirdre Sheahan has over a decade of experience in asylum and human rights cases, while Emma Okenyi is often engaged in BNO and Ukraine family scheme visas. All of the names that have been mentioned split their time between Nottingham and London.

Practice head(s):

Thalej Vasishta; Kirin Abbas; Emma Okenyi; Deirdre Sheahan


Testimonials

‘Paragon Law helped me with my UK spouse visa, they were extremely professional and knowledgeable throughout the entire process and we felt we were in safe hands under their guidance. From the initial assessment call to the visa being granted, their communication was clear and prompt.’

‘They are a friendly, responsive, and knowledgeable team who see through the immigration process to the end and proactively deliver to achieve results desired.’

‘They are so professional and go above and beyond in every situation. They care about their clients and want to do the best possible job for them.’

‘Paragon Law has an extremely strong team of seriously experienced lawyers who are sharp and on the ball. A high level of expertise, client care, and a willingness to pro bono partnering.’

‘The quality throughout the team is excellent. All members do go that extra mile for their clients, with the hours put in and the attention to detail in ensuring that some of the most vulnerable clients, those seeking asylum, are represented effectively. It is always a pleasure to be briefed by them.’

‘Deirdre Sheehan and Emma Okenyi have excellent communication, partnering, and an outstanding commitment to supporting pro bono.’

‘Deirdre Sheahan is excellent as a lawyer and instills quality throughout her asylum team. She is tremendously experienced and you can see that in the team that she trains. Deirdre is very knowledgeable and a powerful litigator.’

‘I have worked with Thalej Vasishta and found him to be conscientious, highly knowledgeable, ethical, responsible, punctual, and a good listener. His presentations speak to his audience without complexity/ambiguity. He usually puts a lot of work behind the scenes to ensure that the content and structure of his presentations have clarity, focus, and value-adding information. His events usually pull the highest number of students when promoted.’

Key clients

Ink Limited


Emmes Biopharma


Ivolve Care Holdings Limited


M1 Med Beauty UK Limited


University of Nottingham


Ivolve Care Holdings Limited


Potter Clarkson LLP


University of Birmingham


Toyota Manufacturing


Eon


Work highlights


  • Advised Ivolve Care Holdings Limited on merging several sponsor licences, managing the process to acquire one group licence, and transferring sponsored workers to the new Group Licence.
  • Assisted on a senior executive’s transfer from a UK skilled worker visa to a family dependent visa.
  • Advised M1 Med Beauty on the visa requirements for one of their senior executives to be based in the UK.

Shoosmiths LLP

Corporate support solutions, sponsor license applications, and visa packages remain a key component of the practice at Shoosmiths LLP. On the personal immigration side, the practice is also proficient in British citizenship applications, indefinite leave applications, and spouse visas. In Nottingham, Rachel Harvey co-leads the team with the Manchester-based Emma Morgan; Harvey is praised for her ‘savvy commercial advice and ability to get the job done.’ Also based in Nottingham, Rory Stone’s recent caseload encompasses urgent visa applications; Stone is adept at both employment and immigration law matters.

Practice head(s):

Emma Morgan; Rachel Harvey


Other key lawyers:

Rory Stone


Testimonials

‘Rachel Harvey always has the answers to the commercial issues our business needs, she is the best immigration lawyer we have worked with due to her savvy commercial advice and ability to get the job done. She is excellent at dealing with our high profile Premier League football clients who are very demanding.’

‘Shoosmiths provides practical and sound information and solutions.’

‘We have total confidence in the advice provided by the partners we have worked with.’

Key clients

MV Fruehauf


Revolution Bars Group


Playground Games


CityFibre


BI Worldwide


ESCATEC Mechatronics Ltd


Bernard Holmes


Amey


SUFC


Work highlights


  • Advised on a personal immigration matter for an individual who is applying to remain in the UK on the basis of her private life and human rights (Article 8 ECHR).
  • Advised on strategic new hires and existing employees seeking to switch visa category.
  • Acted for a national retailer on an appeal to the Home Office in respect of a potential £20,000.00 civil penalty for allegedly employing an adult who was subject to immigration control who no longer had the right to work in the UK.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP

Lauded for its ‘extensive knowledge’, Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP is well-equipped to advise on the full spectrum of employment immigration matters, including skilled worker applications, sponsor compliance, and viability assessments. Audrey Elliot is the firm’s national practice head, and her caseload encompasses illegal working prosecutions, immigration enforcement raids, and submitting applications under the Points-Based System. Emily Hasted co-leads the Nottingham team and is praised for ‘showcasing a wealth of knowledge’. She is also often engaged in Skilled Worker visa applications.

Practice head(s):

Audrey Elliot; Emily Hasted


Testimonials

‘We’ve established a longstanding partnership with Eversheds over the past several years. They are a reliable and trustworthy firm to collaborate with. The entire team is highly professional and efficient, placing significant emphasis on patience when addressing our inquiries.’

‘They consistently demonstrate a deep understanding of our needs, standing by us in challenging situations. Their extensive knowledge ensures that we navigate our endeavors without taking any unnecessary risks.’

‘The quality of expertise and responsiveness of the associates makes them standout. We have had excellent communication with Emily Hasted, and her colleagues.’

‘Emily Hasted holds a senior position within the firm, showcasing a wealth of knowledge. She consistently strives to provide clear explanations to ensure our compliance with all regulations. Her dedication is evident in her readiness to make time for us whenever support is needed. So I highly recommend Emily.’

Key clients

Kentucky Fried Chicken (Yum! Restaurants)


Pendragon


Crown Packaging Manufacturing


Skanska UK PLC


Work highlights


Sills & Betteridge LLP

With a broad regional spread, including offices in Grimsby, London, Nottingham, and Sheffield, the ‘very professional and reliable practice’, Sills & Betteridge LLP is well-informed in Brexit’s implications on EU Settlement Scheme applications. With more than two decades of experience in the sector, practice head Deborah Linford is lauded as ‘hard working and intelligent.’

Practice head(s):

Deborah Linford


Testimonials

‘Sills & Betteridge did their utmost to accommodate a date and time for an in-person meeting for our convenience. Everything was clearly explained for the first meeting before confirming the appointment so that there were no surprises afterward. It is clear that they have a whole organisation behind them and can rely on colleagues for additional services if required.’

‘Sills & Betteridge is a very professional and reliable practice. They inform you every step on the progress they have made, reply to emails, return phone calls, and make appointments to suit your needs.’

‘They are accommodating, and easy to talk to. They were thorough on my documents and my immigration application. Deborah Linford has good knowledge on her profession.’

‘Deborah Linford’s service was exceptional and she went above and beyond with regards to our residence permits.’

‘I have worked with few individuals but Deborah Linford is so hard working and intelligent, you feel so confident once you listen to her. She rings up regularly while she is dealing with your matter.’

‘Deborah Linford assisted us and we were immediately grateful and satisfied. She had a lengthy relaxed phone call with us. She explained things very clearly and her attention paid off, as my case was approved without any modifications.’

‘Deborah Linford always goes above and beyond, and she is always on hand to help with any query we have. She is professional, very knowledgeable in immigration, patient, and explains everything in terms that are understandable to people who are not legally trained.’

‘Deborah Linford kept us fully informed throughout the entire process of what was required and the potential timeframe involved. She was professional, pleasant and patient throughout. She was reliable in arranging and then attending online meetings, and remained fully-focused on what was best to help me achieve the objective of the visa.’

Work highlights


Baya Immigration Legal Services

Commended for its ‘experience and expertise’, Baya Immigration Legal Services specializes in business immigration law. The practice is also geared to handle asylum claims, personal immigration, and sponsor license maintenance. Jocelyn Howorth oversees the team from Nottingham and is praised for ‘her extensive legal advice and skills.’

Practice head(s):

Jocelyn Howorth


Testimonials

‘They are specialists in the field of immigration due to their experience and expertise. Efficient in communication with their usage of IT.’

‘The practice is incredibly unique in the way it delivers service and treats its clients. The individuals involved in the running of this practice are supremely talented, efficient, empathetic and understanding.’

‘They not only are highly knowledgeable about the law but also understand the challenges that their clients go through emotionally and the importance of being responsive and providing reassurance regularly.’

Key clients

Intelisense IT Ltd


Guided Ultrasonics


Pirsook Ltd


Work highlights


HCR Hewitsons

With in-depth expertise in immigration compliance, foreign recruitment, and the sponsorship of non-UK nationals, HCR Hewitsons is also knowledgeable of the business immigration implications on corporate transactions. In Central England, Lynne Adams co-heads the practice with employment specialist Michael Stokes. Adams is noted for her capabilities in compliance audits, global recruitment requirements, as well as sponsor licence application.

Practice head(s):

Lynne Adams; Michael Stokes


Testimonials

‘Lynne Adams understands my business and how I work. She is willing to work around my hours and keeps me informed of changes to legislation I need to know.’

Key clients

Mizuno Corporation


Capital Care Group Limited


Mechatherm International Limited


The Garth Care Services


ITility LLC


Mediservices Limited


Heat & Power Services Limited


Work highlights


  • Advised Mizuno Corporation on the viability of bringing over various senior personnel from the overseas parent company in Japan to the UK to work.
  • Advised Mediservices Limited in securing a sponsor license.
  • Advised Capital Care Group on immigration due diligence as part of an acquisition process.