David is head of the Employment team. He has wide experience of advising commercial and institutional clients including newspapers, magazines, banks and academic establishments. David advises on restructuring and redundancy programmes and on the complexities of the Transfer of Undertakings Regulations, as well as handling industrial disputes, team moves and individual cases. He is a regular author of Croner’s publications and writes chapters for both Butterworths Commercial and Tolley’s Personnel precedents. David was runner-up in the Employment Lawyer of the Year award sponsored by the Insiders Guide to Employment Lawyers and is given a four star rating in the same guide. He is rated as a leading expert in the field by both Chambers and Legal 500.
Farrer & Co
Farrer & Co acts for a wide range of clients in sectors including banking, insurance and sport. The firm also has a notable specialism in employment work in the academic and educational fields, representing Imperial College, the Natural History Museum and the Independent Schools Council, among others. The practice is led by David Smellie, a specialist in safeguarding work. He is supported by Rachel Lewis, who is recommended for advice on senior-level dismissals and employment reorganisations. Further key names in an extensive team include Anna Birtwistle, Alice Yandle, David Hunt and Kathleen Heycock.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Great teamwork to ensure issues can be addressed timely and professionally at the relevant level, providing high-quality legal knowledge and expertise which is translated to practical solutions and management of risk.’
‘Approachability and timely, accurate advice.’
‘David Hunt - very approachable and easy to talk with. Often provides excellent advice in a simple, digestible manner.’
‘I have worked closely with Farrer & Co since 2017 and have found all those that I have worked with to be exceptionally supportive; providing immediate and highly contextual legal advice.’
‘Here I have to single out Alice Yandle; she has been quite exceptional; providing superb, highly responsive advice whatever the nature of my query. I think every Director of HR needs an Alice in their toolkit.'
‘Anna Birtwistle and her team are extremely strategic, skilled and precise negotiators.’
‘Anna Birtwistle - unflappable, clear vision and strategy on how we should approach the case. Never wavered and her preciseness steered us efficiently through the process.'
‘The employment team is excellent, very knowledgeable and practical in their advice. They have understood our organisation and therefore are able to add value.’
Key clients
- British Airline Pilots’ Association (BALPA)
- Imperial College
- C Hoare & Co
- The Natural History Museum
- London Business School
- The Independent Schools Council
- The Independent Bursars’ Association (ISBA)
Work highlights
- Acts for the British Airline Pilots' Association (BALPA) on a range of employment related matters, including in relation to individual members’ claims (whether in the Employment Tribunal or County and High Courts) and industrial relations matters (including wider class action claims).
- Advises Imperial College on an ongoing basis, from day-to-day HR issues and Tribunal claims to highly complex employment matters.
- Advised a leading insurance intermediary firm in relation to an attempted team move/employee poaching matter.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
David Smellie