A litany of public sector clients – including local councils, housing authorities, NHS trusts, foundations, and major educational institutions – turn to Bevan Brittan LLP for its ability to ‘produce excellent work and fantastic commercial results.’ Julian Hoskins is a veteran advisor to employers in the health sector, routinely assisting with claims, conduct issues, and reorganisations, among other matters. Sarah Lamont boasts more than three decades of working with a mix of public and private sector businesses, with recent engagements including discrimination tribunals, restructurings, and TUPE transfers. Anne Palmer is a comparably experienced practitioner who has latterly represented leading educational institutions on key reputational matters. James Gutteridge is noted for his focus on public sector health trusts. Rachel Newman is also recommended, both for contentious and non-contentious work.
Employment: Bristol in South West
Bevan Brittan LLP
Practice head(s):
Jodie Sinclair
Other key lawyers:
Julian Hoskins; Sarah Lamont; Anne Palmer; James Gutteridge; Rachel Newman
Testimonials
‘Bevan Brittan are my go-to experts with regard to complex governance and employment matters. Bevan Brittan excels in both fields, and the employment team supported the governance team and provided clear advice and direction in handling a complex matter involving employees. Top marks!’
‘Sarah Lamont was excellent, and her advice was solid and instrumental in finding the right solution.’
‘The employment lawyers at Bevan Brittan Bristol are simply wonderful. The lawyers work diligently to produce excellent work and fantastic commercial results. The individual lawyers are a pleasure to work with and can find solutions to the most complex and stressful problems. Work is delivered on time or even in advance, and it’s consistently of excellent quality. The bills are accurate and clear. Communication on estimates and costs is also clear and transparent.’
‘Rachel Newman’s client service is excellent; she manages complex work and makes it sound less scary. She’s trustworthy, calm and easy to work with.’
‘The team are specialists in their understanding of employment issues facing public sector employers. There is both strength and depth within the team, with senior lawyers available to advise on sensitive and strategic matters and competent junior team to manager ET claims. Billing is accurate and reasonable, giving regard to the complexity of cases.
‘We regularly work with James Gutteridge, who is a calm and knowledgeable adviser with a sound understanding of the requirements of an in-house legal team and who adapts the advice given accordingly. He is good with witnesses and practicable in his approach.’
‘The experience and professional support we have received from Bevan Brittan has been excellent. The lawyers and team have been insightful and competent’
‘We have worked with Sarah Lamont on a number of issues this year, and she has very quickly built trust and demonstrated her capability and credibility. It feels like a partnership, which is very reassuring. She is pragmatic and provides confidence when dealing with complex and contentious issues. Sarah quickly understands the issue in hand, our needs/focus, and works with us to find a solution that best works. Sarah is honest with her advice and the risk of potential strategies, ensuring we are well-informed and able to take decisions.’
Key clients
Local Government Association
Southern Housing
Sustrans
Peabody Trust
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
National Savings and Investments
Royal United Hospitals Bath
Liverpool City Council
St Monica’s Trust
National Employment Savings Trust
Plymouth NHS Foundation Trust
Dudley MBC
Sheffield CC
Hart District Council
Merton Council
Haringey LBC
Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Oxfordshire CC
Wiltshire Council
Surrey Council
North Somerset District Council
Thurrock Council
Work highlights
- Advised NS&I on the employment and pensions aspects of one of the biggest government IT outsourcing projects of its kind to procure 5 separate contracts together valued at £800m. Also advising on the splitting up of, and exit from, the existing IT contract with Atos.
- Provided ongoing and detailed advice across a southwest client base of NHS provider and commissioner organisations on the processes relating to and risks of industrial action; and how to mitigate the impact and ensure that good relations are maintained with key public sector workers.
- Advised Peabody and Catalyst Housing on all employment and pensions aspects of their merger, which will create one of the biggest housing associations and regeneration schemes in the country.
Burges Salmon LLP
Burges Salmon LLP’s ‘pragmatic and thoughtful approach’ is valued by a host of blue-chip corporates and major public sector bodies, ranging from national retailers to governmental departments. The team is headed up by Adrian Martin, who regularly works with a range of leading businesses and public sector bodies on TUPE transfers, outsourcing projects, and associated disputes, among other matters. Senior partner Chris Seaton continues to advise on contentious and non-contentious issues for a host of clients, most recently for those in the consumer goods and healthcare sectors. Luke Bowery’s recent engagements include discrimination disputes, executive terminations, and mass redundancies, while James Green is noted for his financial services focus, advising on the employment aspects of major transactions within the sector. Jamie Cameron specialises in ESG employment matters.
Practice head(s):
Adrian Martin
Other key lawyers:
Chris Seaton; Luke Bowery; James Green; Jamie Cameron; Grace Malone
Testimonials
‘The team really take time to understand the issues, the organisation, business risk appetite and preferred approach. They work with that information to provide appropriate advice and recommendations, challenging thinking, and identifying risks and potential solutions. There is always good cover for holidays, with interim support having a good handover and excellent knowledge of the case for continuity.’
‘Luke Bowery takes the time to build a good relationship and understanding of the business area. He listens and challenges to get to an agreed position, sharing alternative options but always with recommendations of what he believes will give the best outcome.’
‘We are a relatively small organisation, which sometimes leads to feeling deprioritised as customers when a service is contracted. This is absolutely not the case with Burges Salmon. The team work diligently to ensure that our needs are supported across the team. No matter which member of the team we engage with, they have the capability to respond, understand the context of the public environment we work in.
‘I would highlight the whole team that I have worked with, namely Adrian Martin and Grace Malone. Adrian’s wealth of knowledge and ability to turn requests round in a timely manner is phenomenal. Each individual in the team clearly understands the nuances in the public sector.’
‘The team approaches work in a collaborative and friendly matter, which makes them feel like colleagues. They are both pragmatic and thoughtful in their approach. They work across my team who are at different levels and pitch information and advice appropriately. Invaluable contribution to our team.’
Key clients
Babcock International Group plc
Thomson Reuters
John Lewis Partnership
FirstGroup plc
Bank of Ireland
The Crown Estate
Spire Healthcare Group plc
Reiss
Ofgem
HS1
The Racecourse Association
Unispace Global Limited
University of Bristol
PGA European Tour
Government Legal Department
Transport for Wales
TCR Group
Scottish Building Society
Affinity Water
Optegra
UK Atomic Energy Authority
Royal Horticultural Society
Sterlite Technologies
Progressive Energy Limited
Imperva UK Limited
Food and Drink Federation
Sport England
Government Property Agency
Ordnance Survey
Work highlights
- Defending a wide range of employment tribunal claims, spanning unfair dismissal, constructive dismissal, discrimination (including sex discrimination, sexual orientation discrimination, disability discrimination, race discrimination), breach of contract, harassment and wrongful dismissal.
- Advising the FCDO on the employment aspects of the procurement process for UK and European Facilities Management Services across multiple jurisdictions, as part of the FCDO’s wider design, development and implementation of a new dynamic purchasing systems valued at up to £1.5 billion.
- Advising Babcock International Group on a full range of employment and HR issues across its c.34,000 employee global workforce.
DAC Beachcroft LLP
DAC Beachcroft LLP undertakes a wide variety of corporate, commercial, and contentious employment work for a formidable roster of clients. Practice head Alex Lock receives instructions from across the worlds of retail, financial services, tech, and real estate, owing to his expertise in tribunals, restructurings, and senior-level disputes. Katy Horner, who specialises in the health and social care sector, is noted for her expertise in executive terminations, unfair dismissals, and other redundancy issues, while Joanne Owers, a capable discrimination claim defence counsel, is also experienced in disciplinary matters, union challenges, and restructurings. Other names to note include the health sector-focused Anna George, and Linnea Keldusild, who regularly advises on TUPE transfers.
Practice head(s):
Alex Lock
Other key lawyers:
Katy Horner; Joanne Owers; Anna George; Linnea Keldusild
Key clients
Currys Group
Chesterton
Zurich Insurance
J Sainsbury’s plc
Capita plc
BT plc
Berkshire Healthcare NHS FT
OFWAT
Teleperformance Portugal
Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS FT
University Hospitals Bristol & Weston NHS FT
Dorset Healthcare NHS FT
Work highlights
- Acting for Sainsbury’s Supermarkets and Lloyd’s Pharmacy on a major employment tribunal class action claim.
- Acting for Curry’s in relation to an employment tribunal claim brought by a number of employees in relation to concessions operated by the company at various airports.
- Acting for Salisbury NHS FT on the successful defence of a disability and race discrimination claim.
Osborne Clarke LLP
Steered by Anna Elliott – who also serves as head of the firm’s retail and consumer goods practice – Osborne Clarke LLP is routinely instructed by an extensive client base operating in a diverse range of industries – from the rail transport sector to tech, media, and communications. National employment head Paul Killen works with a range of leading telecoms operators, consumer goods conglomerates, and technology companies on contentious and non-contentious issues, while Julian Hemming is noted for his expertise in diversity and inclusion concerns. Other key figures within the practice include Leanne Coates – recommended for retail and consumer goods sector work – and Nick Haywood, a financial services sector specialist who is particularly well-versed in TUPE matters.
Practice head(s):
Anna Elliott
Other key lawyers:
Paul Killen; Julian Hemming; Leanne Coates; Nick Haywood
Key clients
The Office of Rail and Road
ATOC
National Grid
Trustee of the T&N Retirement Benefits Scheme (1989)
First Port
A Russel Group University
Grifols UK
Worldwide Flight Services
Synthomer UK Limited
A24 Group Limited
Commercetools Ltd
Visionaries Club GmbH
Ameresco
Acutus Medical UK Limited
Babergh District Council and Mid-Suffolk District Council
Work highlights
- Provided Employment Advice to the ORR on Rail Ombudsman issues arising from the Williams Shapps Plan for rail.
- Advised the Trustee of the T&N Retirement Benefits Scheme (1989 (the “Trustee”) in connection with employment tribunal claims that had been brought by 17 retired members of the scheme, in which they were alleging age discrimination and seeking an award for injury to feeling and interest of payment of arrears.
- Advised a Russell Group university in relation to its procurement process for the appointment of a supplier for the installation and maintenance of a new, modern telecommunications network.
TLT
A litany of household names turn to the ‘consistently excellent’ TLT for assistance in both contentious and non-contentious employment matters, ranging from TUPE transfers to industrial relations issues and litigious proceedings. The team, which draws wide praise from clients, is led by Stuart McBride, a highly experienced partner who is regularly instructed by a host of tech, telecom, retail, and financial services clients. Noted for her litigious acumen, Esther Smith’s recent engagements include proceedings before the Court of Appeal on behalf of major public sector bodies. Siobhan Fitzgerald is reputed for her distinct social housing sector focus, while Sarah Skeen, who was promoted to partner in May 2022, is another noteworthy litigator within the team, defending blue-chip clients in discrimination and whistleblowing cases. ‘Fantastically commercial’ TUPE specialist Alison Cameron and Harry Parker, who focuses on outsourcing, are also recommended.
Practice head(s):
Stuart McBride
Other key lawyers:
Esther Smith; Siobhan Fitzgerald; Sarah Skeen; Alison Cameron; Harry Parker
Testimonials
‘Stuart McBride is an excellent client care partner. He is keen to understand our business better and provides support that is bespoke to our needs.’
‘Alison Cameron is fantastically commercial, she is like an extension of our in-house team, and we feel confident asking her to support on the most sensitive matters that we would otherwise keep in-house.’
‘Sarah Skeen is dedicated to ensuring she works with the business. Sarah is responsive and has worked to understand the culture of our business and provide legal advice that reflects this. A trusted and respected partner to our organisation.’
‘Their strength is the capacity to build relationships with clients, and offer cogent advice within the parameters of the organisation’s processes.’
‘My firm has sought legal advice from TLT for more than 20 years. The employment team is stable, with very capable and personable solicitors, and you can be confident in knowing that if one particular partner, legal director or associate is unavailable, their colleague will be just as good and helpful.’
‘Response times are consistently excellent, which is what an employer wants when a contentious employment related matter surfaces.’
‘Alison Cameron merits singling out for the way she skilfully deciphers complex cases, identifying critical issues and charting the way ahead in an understandable and pragmatic fashion.’
Key clients
J Sainsbury plc
BT Group plc
Savills plc
Southern Water
Ageas Group
WH Smith Plc
Biffa plc
Smiths News / Connect Group plc
URW/Westfield
Work highlights
- Provided restructuring, redundancy and TUPE advice to a large national company in respect of a business reorganisation and divestment.
Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP
Regularly acting for both public and private sector clients, Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP is well-versed in all manner of employment matters, including tribunal litigation, investigations, and contractual arrangements. Practice head Tim Woodward is a prolific advisor whose wide-ranging focus sees him advising on investigations, litigation, contractual arrangements, and process reviews, among other engagements. Jo Martin spearheads the team’s employment tribunal offering, working with major international banks as well as national housing providers on numerous claims. Plymouth-based Emma Doble is similarly well-versed in tribunal work, while Lee Davis’ broad public and private sector focus sees him advising banks, insurers, ombudsmans, and healthcare trusts. All named lawyers are based in Bristol unless stated otherwise.
Practice head(s):
Tim Woodward
Other key lawyers:
Jo Martin; Emma Doble; Lee Davis
Key clients
AIG
Government Legal Department
National Grid
Post Office
TSB
B&Q
Plymouth Community Homes
Corbin & King Restaurant Group Limited
Security Industry Authority
Trade Remedies Authority
IOPC
Department of Health & Social Care
Department for Education
Princess Yachts
Work highlights
- Part of the AIG panel providing employment advice and litigation support for insured businesses under its PrivateEdge Policy.
- Advising TSB on employment matters and employment litigation.
- Acting as employment adviser for the Corbin & King restaurant and hotel group.
Ashfords LLP
Helmed by national employment group head Stephen Moore, Ashfords LLP – regarded by some clients as ‘the best team in Bristol‘ – is especially noted for its contentious capabilities, acting for both claimants and respondents in employment tribunal proceedings across a host of sectors. Lorna Clark is highly experienced in employment litigation, appearing on behalf of clients before the Employment Tribunal, County Court, and High Court. Other key figures within the practice include Hayley Marles, noted for her knowledge of the education and non-profit sectors, and Kirsten Currer, who specialises in discrimination cases – most recently acting for clients from the worlds of care and hospitality.
Practice head(s):
Stephen Moore
Other key lawyers:
Lorna Clark; Hayley Marles; Kirsten Currer
Testimonials
‘Hayley Marles is a thoughtful and skilled litigator. She takes time with clients to ensure that they have the best service. She is approachable, kind and considerate, but also astute and rather clever in her approach to litigation. She is particularly good with clients who find litigation difficult, and is a very supportive and effective litigator. Clients know that Hayley has got their back, and she instils confidence and trust.’
‘Lorna Clark is highly intelligent and commercially astute. An experienced employment lawyer who gets better and better.’
‘Stephen Moore is a consummate professional. An expert employment lawyer with particular experience in relation to restrictive covenants. He is sensible, skilled and a very safe pair of hands.’
‘The Ashfords employment team are a great bunch of employment lawyers. They are the best team in Bristol and understandably attract some top-notch clients. They cover all bases of employment law with a wide breadth of knowledge within the team. All the lawyers I know within the team are very knowledgeable and down-to-earth.’
‘Stephen Moore is a bit of a legend in Bristol. He has an excellent manner with clients and leads a great team. Hayley Marles is another safe pair of hands. She knows when to fight a corner and when a more commercial approach is necessary. Both Lorna Clark and Ellen Parker are also exemplary members of the team.’
‘The associates and assistants within the team are excellent and exercise sound judgment.’
‘Lorna Clark is exceptional. She is incredibly diligent and hard-working and has a very good grasp of employment law. She is also highly practical in her approach to managing and advancing cases on behalf of clients.’
Key clients
Multiple UK-based franchisees of global fast-food restaurant
Comptoir Group PLC
Westbury Care Ltd
Greys Residential Home Ltd
A residential care home
A scrap metal yard
Work highlights
- Acting for multiple UK-based franchisees of a global fast food restaurant, assisting in defending employment tribunal claims of all types, including those relating to unfair dismissal, constructive unfair dismissal, discrimination, whistleblowing, holiday pay, and arrears of pay.
- Represented Comptoir Group in a defence of a Disability Discrimination and Unfair Dismissal claim.
- Representing Westbury Care Ltd as part of the ongoing ‘No Jabs, No Jobs’ Group Action being instigated by 127 Claimants against Care Home and Care Providers who dismissed the Claimants following their decision not to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.
Clarke Willmott LLP
Praised for possessing ‘a real strength in depth and a human, personal touch', Clarke Willmott LLP’s employment law capabilities span both contentious and non-contentious matters; the team’s regular workload comprises TUPE transfers, dismissals, and tribunal proceedings, particularly in the sports sector. With nearly three decades of experience in the market, Bristol team head Sharon Latham is a seasoned advisor with particular expertise in the manufacturing, property, and retail sectors. Firmwide sports group head Tim Copplestone works with a host of leading clubs, managers, players, and agents on an array of contentious and non-contentious matters, including arbitration tribunals and high-profile terminations. Sarah MacLarty, whose recent workload includes mass redundancy proceedings for blue-chip companies, is also noted.
Practice head(s):
Marc Long; Sharon Latham
Other key lawyers:
Tim Copplestone; Sarah MacLarty
Testimonials
‘Clarke Willmott is an exceptional team, with real strength in depth and a human, personal touch. It is a brilliant combination.’
‘Tim Copplestone is a superstar in the employment field, especially any element with a sporting cross-over.’
‘For me, it was the ease to work with them and the flexible way they supported our needs. We sourced help at a late stage in a process, and they provided practice help and advice without insisting on assuming overall control of the process and the costs that would be associated with this. They were readily available to talk through each step as we worked through the process, and ultimately we reached a good outcome with their support.’
‘Sharon Latham is very supportive and easy to work with.’
‘A well-rounded practice with expertise in all required areas. The common threads throughout the organisation include response time and explaining the subject matter in simple terms.’
‘Tim Copplestone is excellent. He always responds quickly, knows our organisation and is interested in what we do. An expert in his field of employment law.’
Key clients
AB Dynamics Plc
Stark Software International Limited
Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver and Jackson (London) LLP
Extra MSA Property (UK) Limited
Evergreen Garden Centre Limited
Fowlers of Bristol Limited
Delta Consulting Group Inc
Growth Technology Limited
Exyte Hargreaves Limited, Exyte Northern Europe (UK) Limited, Exyte UK Limited, M+W UK (all part of the global Exyte Group)
Kingsdale Group Limited
NKD International Limited
Evelyn Partners
Anthony Best Dynamics Limited
Wasserman Media Group
Decathlon
The Rugby Players Association
C.F. Møller A/S
Work highlights
- Advised Fried Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP on behalf of Cove Communities in the acquisition of a further 3 retirement/holiday villages.
- Advising Wasserman Media Group on the employment elements of corporate acquisitions (such as the acquisition of international rugby agency Esportif Group) and advising on HR/employment law matters.
- Advising the Rugby Players Association and the Wasps and Worcester Premiership rugby playing squads, following the insolvency of their respective employer clubs.
Foot Anstey
Drawing on strong cross-office collaboration, Foot Anstey is reputed for its ‘excellent service‘ and ‘down-to-earth practical advice‘, working with a number of household names on a host of employment mandates. Legal director Joanne Boyle chairs the Bristol practice, where she works with a range of corporate clients on restructuring projects, redundancies, and whistleblowing claims, among other matters. A specialist in employment tribunal litigation, Michael Thomson’s recent engagements include matters for major retailers and aerospace companies, as well as the employment aspects of a number of corporate acquisitions. Angharad Davies – who joined the Bristol team from the Exeter office in August 2022 – is recommended for respondent-side discrimination claims and employment issues in the private equity sector.
Practice head(s):
Karen Bates
Other key lawyers:
Joanna Boyle; Michael Thomson; Angharad Davies
Testimonials
‘The team have a very good breadth of experience across all aspects of employment law. They are very client focussed, going above and beyond to provide an excellent service. They collaborate extremely well with counsel, involving them at an early stage of proceedings to ensure that the client gets the best possible outcomes.’
‘Joanne Boyle is simply superb. Her attention to detail is second to none. She never misses a relevant point. Her instructions to Counsel are always extremely well-prepared. She understands her client organisations inside out, priding herself on her client relationships. They always know she is a safe pair of hands. Her experience on complex discrimination and whistleblowing claims is extensive, and it shows. Her team working is excellent, her strategic and tactical approaches to cases are always spot on. She is quite simply a delight to work with.’
‘Foot Anstey provide down-to-earth practical advice. They are highly knowledgeable and can apply employment law in a realistic and relatable way so that you receive value adding advice and support.’
‘Michael Thomson – across tribunals and case work – provides valued down-to-earth and practical support.’
‘There is a real commitment to understanding our needs as an organisation, as a values driven employer within a unique sector. Strength in being to access specialist advice from others within the practice at critical speed to help inform key decisions. A very tailored approach.’
‘The individual practice of our main point of contact has been impeccable, her people skills and ability to listen, interpret and engage in a way which is professional and personable are impressive. Complex analysis has been explained in very accessible ways, where I leave a call feeling very clear and supported. I have been able to reach out for advice at any time and have been continually pleased with the level of responsiveness and attentiveness to our needs and requirements.’
‘When necessary, we have had excellent support and knowledge from other colleagues. We always feel supported and valued. Never had a poor experience from this team.’
‘Jo Boyle is our main contact and is extremely knowledgeable and supportive. She is able to answer every query immediately and always answers as quickly as possible. She is amiable yet extremely professional, which makes her able to advise all our teams at all levels.’
Key clients
St Monica Trust
OH PE Holdings Limited
Kocho Holdings Limited
Holroyd Howe
National Farmers Union
Signet Jewellers (H Samuel & Ernest Jones)
Falmouth & Exeter Student Union
Christ Church Oxford University
Nic Ice Limited
Lister Wilder
Integrity360
Aspen Pumps Limited
Martyn Hammond & Others
Rhubarb Food Design Limited
Draken Europe
Work highlights
- Advised St Monica Trust on its Care Home Restructure across its portfolio of retirement villages/care homes.
- Advised OH PE Holdings Limited on its global restructure of its Evidence & Access team across the USA, UK and the Netherlands.
- Designed and delivered four-day Management Development Training Programme & Inclusive Leadership (Unconscious bias) programme for Holroyd Howe – forming part of its flagship L&D programme going forward.
Thrings LLP
‘An extremely knowledgable team who go the extra mile‘, Thrings LLP’s employment practice is instructed by both public and private sector clients, including well-known consumer goods conglomerates, transport sector businesses, and charities. The team is led by the ‘outstanding‘ Kerrie Hunt, whose broad sector coverage and experience includes High Court claims, TUPE transfers, and senior exits. Natalie Ward's recent workload has seen her defending discrimination and constructive dismissal claims on behalf of various major companies.
Practice head(s):
Kerrie Hunt
Other key lawyers:
Natalie Ward
Testimonials
‘An extremely knowledgeable team who go the extra mile to make sure our handling of employment issues and internal processes are able to cope with the challenges faced.’
‘Kerrie Hunt is an outstanding lead for the employment team both in terms of her technical knowledge.’
‘Thrings continues to be a strong, credible and highly reliable partner for my organization, team and me. The expertise they possess and advice they give is highly valued, applying it into pragmatic options and helping us arrive at the right decision based on our specific context and circumstances.’
‘I highly value Kerrie Hunt for her wide experience in this area. She is now also an employment law tribunal judge, which gives us the additional benefit of richer perspective.’
Key clients
Alzheimer’s Society