Employers

Baker McKenzie

Under the leadership of Carl Richards and Julia Wilson, Baker McKenzie LLP fields a team of ‘excellent lawyers’. It is known both domestically and internationally for its strategic employment law advice. In addition to its considerable industrial relations expertise, it is recognised for its skill across a broad range of other areas, such as advising on global workforce restructuring, and cross-border deals. It is sought after too for its advice on business change projects, and workplace redesign schemes. In addition, the group excels in advising on a range of diversity and inclusion matters, data privacy and modern slavery issues, as well as business change projects where there will disruption and transformation. The team is also highly regarded for its experience of handling complex disputes and investigations. Other areas of expertise lie in the financial services sector, and advising on a broad range of regulatory matters. Among the other names to note are Monica Kurnatowska and Annabel Mackay. Former practice head John Evason has retired from the firm.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Excellent service. Key strengths are litigation and strategic advice regarding complex employment law issues such as flexible working, equal pay, discrimination and whistleblowing.’
‘Stephen Ratcliffe - excellent partner - always gives pragmatic, sensible and digestible advice on employment law matters.'
‘Excellent global reach; high quality capability across a range of employment sub-specialisms; good knowhow and commercial approach.’
‘Kim Sartin has fantastic client service skills - she is approachable, smart and client focused.’
'The team is very strong with talented lawyers from junior to senior level. They are very responsive and build good, trusted relationships with clients. They are also used to working on global matters and are therefore very well-equipped to support global employers.'
'Carl Richards is an incredible partner who is highly knowledgeable about acquisitions and post acquisition integration. He is really personable and highly responsive, and is very commercial in his advice, balancing risk and business imperatives extremely well.'

Key clients

Addison Lee
BBC
British Land
Colt
Emerson
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK)
Google
Haleon plc
Hewlett Packard Enterprise (HPE)
Hitachi
Informa PLC
Kantar
New Mountain Capital LLC
Prudential PLC
Sika
S&P Global
Sony Music Entertainment
Symphony Technology Group (STG)
Tapestry Inc (formerly known as Coach Inc)

Work highlights

Continuing to advise Emerson, the global technology, software and engineering company, on various transactions.
Advised Sika on the global employment considerations of their acquisition of Master Builder Construction Chemicals (MBCC) Group from Lone Star.
Advised S&P Global Inc. on the sale of its engineering solutions business to KKR. The process involved over 20 countries and covered all aspects of employment law.