Claire advises individuals and organisations on employment, shareholder and partnership law across a wide range of business sectors including financial services, insurance, IT, property development, media, fashion and art. Claire is a High Court litigation specialist with High Court cases being at the core of her practice. She is regularly instructed on High Court claims, for senior executives and companies, and has considerable experience acting in disputes between shareholders in owner managed businesses. She acted for the successful petitioner in the leading shareholder case of Croly v Good and is currently advising on several High Court contractual disputes. She understands the need for clear, commercial advice and has an excellent track record in negotiating settlements for her clients, including formal mediated settlements. Her team covers a broad range of issues for both employers and employees, notably contractual disputes, disciplinary matters, unfair and wrongful dismissal, discrimination, whistleblowing, post termination restrictions and confidentiality issues (drafting and enforcement). She is recommended as an employment lawyer in Legal 500 2019. She was also recognised as a foreign expert in Chambers Global 2014 for her work for Italian companies and their UK subsidiaries and UK domiciled Italian executives. She advises Italian companies and works closely with executives, particularly those in financial services and the IT sector, and those who are relocating from Italy to the UK.
Withers LLP
Withers LLP provides ongoing employment and HR support to a diverse group of clients in sectors ranging from charity to motorsports. The firm is recommended for high level employment contractual negotiations, post termination restrictions enforcement and defence of tribunal claims. The practice is led by professional and financial services employment expert Meriel Schindler. She is supported by Claire Christy and Hugh More.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Withers' employment team has a wealth of experience in claims covering a range of legal issues, including claims with an employment and commercial angle. Client management is second to none; they fight hard, but are commercial and pragmatic at the same time.’
‘Claire Christy - an outstanding employment lawyer with expertise in commercial work as well. Fantastic at managing tricky clients and opponents, and a great tactician. Tough, but pragmatic.’
‘Meriel Schindler is very responsive, experienced, commercial/pragmatic and user friendly; all of the qualities that we look for in our external lawyers.’
‘We recommend Meriel and Emma Sanderson. Emma is very clear and careful with her drafting - we have used her on employment contract reviews and projects.’
‘Excellent team with breadth of experience and expertise’
‘Extraordinary strength and depth at all levels and incredibly user friendly.’
‘Claire Christy - The lawyer of choice: exceptionally intelligent and diligent, but very personable.’
‘Excellent expertise in charity sector and good understanding of entrepreneurial or family run businesses or international matters. Really exceptional associates managed by very experienced and commercially savvy partners. First rate client care.’
Key clients
- Tate
- Henkel
- Aston Martin
- Guide Dogs
- Salt Pay
- Edward James
- Winton
- GEAPP
- Chipper Cash
- Max Mara
Work highlights
- Advises Aston Martin Racing Aramco Cognizant Formula One Team on all aspects of employment law, including its contracts, day-to-day HR issues and post-termination restraints.
- Advises UK charity Guide Dogs on employment, immigration and pensions issues affecting its large (c1,500 employees) and varied workforce.
- Providing advice to Tate on a range of ad hoc employment related matters, such as strategic personnel issues including equality issues and trans rights.
Lawyers
Leading individuals
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Meriel Schindler