BTO Solicitors LLP

Employment

Partner

An Accredited Specialist in Employment Law, Laura has specialised in employment law for over 19 years, she deals with all aspects of employment law, both contentious and non-contentious, and has a very loyal client following.

She advises on the full spectrum of employment issues arising in the workplace, including equality and diversity, redundancy, conduct, performance management, whistleblowing, ill health absences, flexible working and disciplinary and grievance matters. She also undertakes mediation, provides tailored employment documentation and advises on the enforceability of restrictive covenants and settlement agreements.

Laura has a wealth of experience advising a broad range of commercial and corporate clients, charities, employers in the education sector and senior executive employees on all aspects of the employment relationship.  As well as advising clients on day-to-day employment issues, Laura is a trusted advisor for both new and long-established clients.  Clients appreciate her commercial acumen combined with her friendly and approachable manner.  She is described as someone who “approaches conflict with a calm demeanour and incisive wit” and as “someone who genuinely cares about the client and the case they are pursuing”.

Laura is particularly experienced in advising and representing trade union and federation members in a wide range of employment-related matters.

Laura represents both employees and employers at Employment Tribunals throughout Scotland and at the Employment Appeal Tribunal, she is therefore able to see a case from both sides and clients rate Laura’s ‘can do’ attitude.

Legal traineeship, Blackadders, Dundee (2002 – 2004); assistant, Semple Fraser (2004-2005); assistant, Levy & McRae (2005-2006); associate, Levy & McRae (2007 – 2013); senior associate, Levy & McRae (2013 – 2014); partner, Levy & McRae (2014 – 2015); partner, BTO Solicitors LLP (2015 – present).

Work highlights:

Representing police officers in a number of discrimination claims at the Employment Tribunal and in appeals before the Police Medical Appeal Board and securing very favourable outcomes Negotiating, on very favourable terms, the exit package of the CEO of a South East Asian sports club. Swiftly dealing with the sensitive exit of the Chief Executive Officer of a large Scottish company following allegations of a criminal nature, minimising media exposure and reputational damage. Advising a college of further education on complex areas of work including job evaluation, TUPE and on matters concerning complex grievances and disciplinary processes. Advising a housing association on a complex grievance raised by an employee involving allegations of bullying, harassment, lack of support and discrimination. The case required not just full knowledge of the legal position, disability discrimination and employment issues generally, but of the regulatory regime in which the client operates and the governance issues which needed to be addressed.

English.

Law Society of Scotland; Employment Law Group; Employment Lawyers Association; Mackrell International Employment Law Group

Abronhill High School, Cumbernauld; Dundee University, 2001 LLB (Hons), 2002 Dip LP; Glasgow Graduate School of Law.

Laura enjoys socialising, exercising and reading.