Browne Jacobson LLP

Business and professional risk/employment.

Helen specialises in employment law and acts largely for public sector clients including the NHS and the education sector. Helen has represented clients in complex Tribunal claims and has particular experience in defending whistleblowing claims against the NHS. She also has expertise in handling difficult employee relations cases often involving multiple allegations of discrimination, whistleblowing, breakdowns in relationships, mental health issues and fitness to practise.

Helen regularly advises clients on non-contentious matters including TUPE, workforce reorganisation and interpretation of terms and conditions of employment and has been a key member of the team advising on NHS trust mergers.

A recent example of Helen’s expertise includes advising an NHS Trust on a complex and potentially high profile unfair dismissal and whistleblowing claim by a doctor. The claim had significant reputational and financial risks for the client given the intense publicity around whistleblowers in the NHS. The Claimant was supported by a number of high profile NHS whistleblowers who have campaigned vociferously in relation to the plight of NHS whistleblowers. Their involvement meant that the pending proceedings were likely to have attracted national and regional press interest which was a significant reputational risk for the client at a time when it had very recently merged with another organisation and was under increased scrutiny.

Through challenging negotiations with the Claimant’s representative and sensitive discussion with the NHS regulator who was required to approve settlement, Helen secured agreement of all parties to enter into a mediation. A two day mediation resulted in a settlement of the claim for a sum which was around 10% of the Claimant’s valuation of his claim and approximately 25% of the sum the Claimant was willing to settle for at the start of mediation.

The case client’s comments included

“Helen has engaged in hours of discussion with the Claimant’s legal team to narrow the issues and the massive gap between the parties on quantum.

Helen has attended meetings at Board level to ensure the Board were fully sighted during this period and was also pivotal in the Trust securing Treasury approval to settle (which in itself is exceptional).

Her dogged determination to get to a settlement at mediation and her skill and expertise in doing so secured a settlement that will enable all parties to move on, avoid the need for an ET Hearing and deliver best value for money to the taxpayer.

Helen is an asset to the team at Browne Jacobson and I wanted to write formally to ensure the Trust’s thanks are on record”.

Trained Irwin Mitchell, qualified 2000, partner 2014. Irwin Mitchell 1998-2000, solicitor 2000-02; Browne Jacobson 2002-date.

Employment Lawyers Association.

Light Hall School; Universirty of Nottingham (2006 BA (Hons) English & Philosophy); University of Birmingham (2008 Post Graduate Diploma in Law and Legal Practice Certificate).

Going to the gym, watching football - supporting Liverpool FC, raising two young children.