Deborah Margolis
GQ | LITTLER‘On the client side, it feels like a well-oiled machine’ when dealing with GQ | LITTLER, due to the ’large team of high-quality partners and associates’. The specialist employment law firm focuses solely on advising large, and often international, corporate clients. It works with businesses which need assistance in dealing with complex and high-value people issues. It also works with some US City law firms which do not have employment departments. Paul Quain garners considerable praise, and has particular experience of managing board level crises. The department is collectively led by Raoul Parekh; Caroline Baker; Sophie Vanhegan and Nicola James. Other names to note include Deborah Margolis and Ben Smith. Natasha Adom was promoted to the partnership in April 2023.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Deborah Margolis is fantastic: a sharp, practical thinker who quickly discerns where we are, where we need to be, and how to help us get there. Her recommendations are tailored to our risk tolerance just as an in-house solicitor’s would be.'
‘Nicola James - her communication has always been swift, concise and very helpful. In our experience she has made a great effort to build positive relationships and understand what makes our business unique which really pays off in our interactions.’
‘Raoul Parekh is a superstar. One of the best solicitors in employment law around. His meteoric rise to partnership is well-deserved.'
‘Caroline Baker is a very "user-friendly" lawyer who has a deep understanding of the practical challenges within the insurance industry and the commercials underpinning certain employment decisions.'
‘Paul Quain - great instincts and outstanding advisory skills. Able to see all sides and round the corner! Ben Smith - incredibly clever and hard-working with a razor sharp forensic mind. Intellectual but with a practical application. I love working with him - superstar in the making.'
'Sophie Vanhegan - incredibly slick operator; knows her restrictive covenant work inside out and provides advice that is on the money and incredibly astute. She is very committed to diversity in the profession. Darren Isaacs; supportive and constructive and in-depth knowledge of cross-border issues. Lovely man.’
‘Paul Quain - highly experienced and knowledgeable. Philip Cameron - Able to explain cases and next steps in an easy-to-understand way. Ben Smith - Plays a key role in any case we have. His ability to remember exactly what has been said is incredible!'
‘Caroline Baker is quick as a whip in understanding the problems, identifying the issues and providing the client with accurate, reliable and realistic advice.'
Key clients
- iad International
- Uber BV
- Inizio Healthcare Limited
- HDI Global Specialty SE
- Harrison Parrott Limited
- Hannover RE UK Life Branch
- G-P
- Epiq Systems Limited
- E A Gibson Shipbrokers Limited
- Cytel Inc
- Commonwealth Secretariat
- Commerzbank AG
- Integra Insurance Solutions Limited
- Morgan Sindall Group
- ZOLL Medical Corporation
- Morgon Lovell
- Moderna
- Mimecast
- Omnipresent
- Onefootball GmbH
- Oracle
- Overbury plc
Work highlights
- Defending Commerzbank AG in a series of high value Employment Tribunal claims (whistleblowing, sex, and pregnancy and maternity discrimination, harassment and victimisation) which have been ongoing since 2018.
- Advised the asset management division of a FTSE listed banking group in defending allegations in pre-action correspondence of unlawful team moves and inducing a breach of restrictive covenants.
Lawyers
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Ben Smith
GQ | LITTLERLeading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Paul Quain
GQ | LITTLERPractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Raoul Parekh, Caroline Baker, Sophie Vanhegan, Nicola James