The employment team at Eversheds Sutherland is active across a wide variety of both contentious and non-contentious matters. The ‘extremely accommodating’ Ian McFarland heads the team. McFarland and associate Laura McManus both frequently represent large employers in the financial services, retail, and manufacturing industries in tribunal claims, as well as advising on non-contentious matters. The Belfast office often collaborates with the wider firm’s offices in London, Dublin, and Cambridge - and further afield - on the employment aspects of high value corporate transactions.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘They have taken the time to understand our business, the culture and tone that we are trying to achieve.’

  • ‘Ian McFarland is always open to listen and debate situations with you. He is programmatic and practical in is approach, whilst also always being extremely accommodating.’

  • ‘Very efficient, responsive and high quality service from this firm. We feel very secure in the knowledge that they are representing us.’

  • ‘All our board members have been extremely impressed by the knowledge, skills and attitude of Ian McFarland. We are very confident in his ability and his responses are rapid and comprehensive. He is very personable, and we are happy to put our trust in him.’

Key clients

  • Aviva
  • BA Kitchen Components
  • Saica Pack UK Limited
  • Northern Ireland Hospice
  • CDE Global Limited
  • Ann’s Home Care
  • Hypixel Studios Limited
  • DFS
  • Edgewater Contracts & Specialist Joinery
  • Fortus Group Holdings Limited
  • Budget Energy Limited
  • TSYS Global Pay
  • GXO Logistics
  • Grange Farm (NI) Limited
  • Kingfisher plc – B&Q
  • Kingspan Water & Energy Limited
  • Lloyds Banking Group
  • Marks & Spencer plc (client for twelve years)
  • Mediahuis
  • Whitemountain Quarries Limited
  • Statsports Group Limited
  • Sysco (formally Brakes / Pallas Foods)
  • Walsin Limited
  • Westrock
  • Lookers plc

Work highlights

  • Providing all round employment support to Cube Infrastructure Managers and Equitix Investment Managers on their joint acquisition of a majority stake in RiverRidge Holdings Limited.
  • Supporting local employers in their day-to-day employment law needs, including the likes of Walsin Limited, Budget Energy Limited and Ann’s Home Care.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Ian McFarland

Other key lawyers

Laura McManus