Equally well versed in contentious and non-contentious work relating to senior executives, the ‘universally excellent’ Lewis Silkin team is particularly active in advising individuals on complex contractual arrangements and reputation management issues. Another strength of the firm is acting in the full range of discrimination ligation and arbitration, including race and sex discrimination cases, with paternity discrimination claims presenting an area of increasing activity. Nicholas Hadaway spearheads the team, leading on whistleblowing and conduct investigation cases. Other key names include Richard Miskella, who assists with exit negotiations, and ‘clever and pragmatic’ Toni Lorenzo, who advises on team moves and restrictive covenants. Tarun Tawakley and managing associates Laetitia Cooke and Sarah McWhinney are likewise noted.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Laetitia Cooke combines excellent legal and procedural knowledge with a detailed knowledge of the factual background. She has sound judgment and is a real pleasure to work with.’
‘Nicholas Hadaway is enormously commercially savvy when acting for senior execs in statutory employment law.'
‘Toni Lorenzo - clever and pragmatic, and blessed with great judgement.’
‘This energetic team combines in-depth knowledge of the law with excellent people skills and an ability to identify and deliver timely, practical solutions to their clients' problems.'
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Joint managing partner in employment, reward and immigration department. Particular focus on media and financial services sectors. Specialisms in high-value litigation, including senior executive terminations, High Court claims (such as restrictive covenant disputes, bonus claims, claims for breach of confidentiality and fiduciary duties, and team moves), whistle blowing, and restructuring. CEDR-accredited mediator.
Rising stars
Managing Associate: Laetitia advises senior individuals across all sectors, with particular experience acting for those in financial services. Laetitia also assists employer clients on a wide range of issues, from day-to-day advice, to providing guidance on grievance and disciplinary investigations, to managing all the delicate issues arising out of senior exits. Laetitia has experience of fighting complex, high value and sensitive cases. Clients value the results she obtains for them – whether that is an early, confidential, settlement, on the best possible terms, or some other form of desirable outcome. Examples of his recent work include acting for: an asset manager in relation to a case of whistleblowing; a senior individual in a case involving claims of equal pay, race discrimination, sex discrimination, victimisation and unfair dismissal; and a global technology company in relation to claims of equal pay, sex and race discrimination. Laetitia's work also has an international element – over and above the multi-jurisdictional nature of advice to globally mobile senior executives. She speaks French and has a significant number of French clients. She acts for companies with an established presence in the UK as well as those who are setting up an office in the UK for the first time. She also acts for and advises French-speaking senior executives.
Leading individuals
Partner, Employment. Advises on all areas of employment law with particular focus on contractual, discrimination and whistleblowing claims for senior executives (employees and partners) in the financial sector. Also, advises employers notably on acquisitions and restructurings and TUPE/outsourcing.
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Nicholas Hadaway