Partner. With over 35 years’ experience, Elaine is an acknowledged leader in her field with first class City credentials. Renowned for her work with senior executives, directors of FTSE 100 & 250 companies; senior bankers (she has acted for 18 bank chief executives); principals and senior management in private equity houses, equity backed firms, hedge funds and other boutiques. Advising on employment and partnership matters, she acts against the world's leading global and UK institutions. She is a highly credible operator, known for representing her clients with great commitment and for formulating imaginative and powerful arguments in her clients' cause. Elaine also advises clients in non-contentious matters. When joining organisations, she ensures clients enter into new relations well aware of the legal implications that are relevant to them. Described as ‘tenacious and intelligent’, a ‘keen strategist and tactician’ and a ‘formidable opponent’, Elaine regularly leads multi-disciplinary teams and advises on a wide range of issues.
Withers LLP
Withers LLP‘s ’highly capable, skilled and knowledgeable team’ handles highly complex cross-jurisdictional senior executive work, spanning both contentious and non-contentious matters. The firm has particular expertise in corporate reshuffling, assisting with arrivals, departures, and reputation control issues. Team lead Meriel Schindler specialises in high-value, cross-jurisdictional exit negotiation and investigatory work. Other key practitioners include Elaine Aarons, who has ‘unparalleled experience’ across all sectors including financial and pharmaceutical; Claire Christy, who handles sexual harassment and discrimination claims, as well as whistleblowing and post-termination restriction matters; newly-promoted partner James Hockin, who advises on cross-jurisdictional arrivals and departures; ’detailed but pragmatic’ Melissa Paz, who handles complex Employment Tribunal and High Court claims; Hugh More, who has significant contentious expertise; and consultant Lisa Lewinsohn.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team led by Elaine Aarons has unparalleled experience, a deftness of touch, commercial and pragmatic approach.'
‘Their expertise, pragmatic advice, coupled with a genuine support and empathy for clients is a powerful combination.'
‘Highly capable, skilled and knowledgeable team. Personalised approach from start to finished and very responsive to a changing landscape.’
‘Melissa Paz is exceptional. Detailed but pragmatic. She is able to build a full view of the situation, go below the surface and understand the case from all angles.’
‘Meriel Schindler is an exceptional legal professional. She has a deep understanding of the law and is skilled in representing clients in a variety of employment-related matters.'
‘The team is responsive with a good knowledge of the law in this field giving sensible and pragmatic advice.’
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The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Meriel is head of the global employment team and advises both employers and senior executives on all aspects of employment and LLP law. Meriel frequently advises on complex, international and delicate issues for high profile clients such as household name charities, renowned brands and CEOs embroiled in board disputes involving listed companies. Over the past year, she has advised on substantial whistleblowing and discrimination cases, internal investigations into bullying, contract negotiations, issues arising out of the #MeToo and Black lives matter movements as well as sensitive grievances. She is also a trained mediator. Meriel is quick to grasp complex detail and devise strategies that get clients what they want. She is valued by both clients and peers for her experience, creative solutions and unique insight. Regarded as a 'superb lawyer', clients attest to her 'calm and wise counsel' and 'excellent commercial and practical advice'. She is also widely recognised as a leading individual for her advice to both senior executives and employers in many legal directories.
Rising stars
James is a partner in the employment team. James is an adviser, negotiator and – when required – a determined litigator. Dual qualified in New York and England & Wales, James advises senior executives, partners, founders and employers on all aspects of employment and partnership law. He is often instructed by clients with complex cross-border issues, which he handles with an adept understanding of the international issues that often arise. James assists clients at all stages of the employment / partnership relationship, whether it be advising on documentation at the start, addressing issues that arise throughout, or planning exit strategies and negotiating severance packages when they come to an end. He often leads multi-disciplinary teams (including employment, corporate, reputation management, regulatory, tax and immigration) and is at his best when he is helping his clients out of a hole, whether that be difficult employment terminations, resignations/removals from partnership or supporting clients through disciplinary investigations. James has experience of litigating in the Employment Tribunal, High Court, County Court and Court of Appeal, as well as regularly resolving client disputes via alternative means such as mediation. Clients comment that he is 'an exceptional operator' who is 'enormously knowledgeable', 'exceptionally good on technical details' and 'fantastic at dealing with cross-border matters'.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Meriel Schindler