Employers

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP

‘If you want Rolls-Royce work, there is none better’ than Herbert Smith Freehills LLP. The ’very impressive‘ Andrew Taggart is at the helm of this ’class act’, which is praised for its ‘fantastic work ethic, and client service which is second to none’. It is best known for its ability to advise a range of high-profile, multinational businesses and financial institutions on the most complex and sensitive issues, such as ’bet the house’ matters. Recent highlights have included advising on the social elements of ESG issues, as well as handling several sensitive disputes. Its crisis management practice remains busy. The team is also well-equipped to advise on the employments aspects of key corporate deals, and transformational projects. It is increasingly advising on artificial intelligence and the implementation of automated technology by employers. Tim Leaver is highly regarded along with Christine Young. The ‘very experienced’ Peter Frost together with Nick Wright both play a pivotal role in the department. Jennifer Andrews is among the other excellent members of the practice.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘I have been most impressed by Nick Wright, who is extremely careful to get things right and get ahead of the game, and Hannah White, whose attention to detail and focus is fantastic.’
‘Christine Young is friendly, engaging, and so knowledgeable. Christine and Hannah White are both a pleasure to work with.’
‘An outstanding team with strength and depth. Huge pool litigation experience, particularly in the High Court. They have been involved in many of the most significant cases in recent years. Key players include Tim Leaver, Christine Young and Andrew Taggart.’
‘Peter Frost is a giant in the field. Tim Leaver is one of the most gifted litigators in the field. Always tactically ahead of the opposition. Nick Wright is a bright, effective and skilled lawyer.’
‘Tim Leaver: A brilliant tactician with an almost preternatural ability to devise strategies which achieve his clients' goals. He is so effective that disputes are invariably resolved in his clients' favour before significant litigation costs rack up.'
'Christine Young: A technically brilliant lawyer. Phenomenally hard-working. She has deep experience of highly complex litigation in both the ET and the High Court.'
'Peter Frost: Few employment lawyers have his level of knowledge and experience. Excellent (and sensitive) client-handling skills.’
‘A class act. If you want Rolls-Royce work, there is none better.'

Key clients

BlackRock
Capital & Counties plc
Chevron
Church of England
Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners
Eni
Go-Ahead Group
Hays
Hotel Chocolat
Inchcape plc
Kin + Carta
Marex Group
OGCI Investments
Page Group
Shaftesbury Capital
Stagecoach
Tesco
The Ardonagh Group
Wincanton

Work highlights

Advising Tesco on the defence of equal pay claims brought by more than 30,000 current and former store colleagues.
Acting for the Church of England on issues relating to expression of protected beliefs, including the provision of advice relating to one of the country's most important discrimination decisions of 2023.
Advising OGCI Climate Investments LLP on a range of complex employment law issues in its role as long-standing employment advisor to the client.

Lawyers

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