Employment

A&L Goodbody Northern Ireland LLP

The A&L Goodbody Northern Ireland LLP employment team offers strong services spanning the whole range of employment law, including tribunal cases, internal investigations, and immigration matters. With the firm’s all-Ireland presence and strong relationships with London law firms, the practice has built up a strong international client list. The ‘exceptional’ Gareth Walls leads the practice. Walls is a CEDR qualified mediator and looks after an extensive portfolio of financial services clients. Aisling Byrne specialises in data protection. Of counsel Shirley Blair often defends employers in tribunals concerning discrimination. At the associate level, Rob Tubman is a key contact for corporate immigration work, while Johanna Cunningham supports the practice on the full range of employment issues, including employment aspects of acquisitions.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘The team at A&L have been very good in supporting us with a number of employment issues over the past twelve months. They are very professional, give accurate advice and have supported us through employee reduction and visa processes.’
‘The team at A&L Goodbody in Belfast are the best in class. Led by the exceptional Gareth Walls, they have a wonderful blend of experience, strong associates and very capable junior members of the team who are trained to an incredibly high standard.'
‘Gareth Walls is the best employment lawyer in the jurisdiction. His wealth of knowledge, experience coupled with sensible, practical solutions make him the most sought after practitioner in Northern Ireland.'
'Shirley Blair is a formidable lawyer. From a technical perspective she is excellent, whether in written communication or on her feet in an industrial tribunal she is authoritative and fiercely protective of her client's interests, but has a wonderful warmth which means that as a client you are drawn to her and are happy to keep returning to her.'
'Rob Tubman is an incredibly safe pair of hands with the technical knowledge and experience that gives a client absolute confidence that he has your back - it's incredibly comforting. His growing practice in immigration law is a really strong attribute to have and one that we as an organisation have really benefitted from. ’
‘The A&L Goodbody team provide sound practical advice which takes a pragmatic approach to problem-solving. The team have an excellent understanding of our business operations and governance arrangements and how their advice may impact upon that. In addition, they provide training for their client base which ensures our staff are kept appraised of changes to legislation and case law. ’
‘I have worked closely with Gareth Walls since 2010 and have always found him to be a knowledgeable lawyer who understands our business and takes a pragmatic approach to problem-solving. I would also highlight Johanna Cunningham, a hard-working, commercially pragmatic and responsive individual who will take a robust approach when needed. ’
‘We found Johanna Cunningham to be very capable, very knowledgeable, easy to work with, very professional and personable. We couldn't recommend her highly enough.’

Key clients

Citigroup
SONI
Culina Group Limited
Danske
Northern Ireland Water
Allstate
MeiraGTx
Spence and Partners
ABP
Council for Catholic Maintained Schools

Work highlights

Handled all of Citi's employment law matters in Northern Ireland, including tribunal claims, advisory work and ad hoc queries.
Appointed as the sole employment law adviser for SONI and advised on disciplinary, corporate, governance, contractual and data breach issues in 2023.
Advised Culina Group on the closure of the Morgan McClernon site in Lurgan.

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