Displaying ‘sheer professionalism and enthusiasm’, Girlings is regarded for its corporate employment offering. The practice is led by Carl Vincent, recently promoted to Chairman of the firm, who is a notable employment litigator, including in High Court and Employment Tribunal litigation. Paul McAleavey, whose ’detailed knowledge and attention to detail is outstanding’, focuses on advising on senior executive terminations, particularly at board level, while David Morgan has extensive expertise in the pharmaceutical industry. The practice is based in Ashford.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘This practice, in particular Paul McAleavey, offers outstanding, professional support and services to those that need to have employment, contracts, settlement agreements, and in particular they offer professional, pragmatic and empathetic service to those that are involved in contract disputes. What makes them unique is the experience that they have, their size in that they are able to give individual attention rather than just be a corporate office. They deliver on what they promise, and don’t exaggerate the capability. Outstanding service to companies and individuals.’
‘Paul McAleavey: I have worked with Paul in different situations. His detailed knowledge and attention to detail is outstanding. If he says he will deliver something on a certain day, he does it. Apart from his technical and professional competencies, he is very aware of how individuals may feel and the stresses they may be under. He makes you feel comfortable while remaining professional. Outstanding skills that he can combine. He is also highly regarded by some of the competitors that he has engaged with, and organisations that he has worked with, and gets strong recommendations from them. Over the 45 years that I’ve been working, Paul is within the top five lawyers I have worked with globally. May be a small firm, but that makes them special.’
‘Girlings provides all of our HR related legal support, be that for in house HR related items or support in legal actions relating to employment claims. They know our business very well and have provided an invaluable support over an extended period of time.’
‘We work exclusively with Carl Vincent. He has worked with us for an extended period of time and therefore has an excellent working knowledge of the challenges that we and our industry face on a regular basis. This means he can support us in the way we require.’
‘Friendly, proactive and sympathetic.’
‘Sheer professionalism and enthusiasm.’
‘Very attentive service by Carl Vincent. Very clear with the facts.’
‘Paul McAleavy is highly efficient and brilliantly reactive to the urgency of matters as arise. Despite the need for speed in such matters, he is also considered and extremely thorough in is approach, both in his preparatory work, explanation of the situation to clients and his response to other parties on their behalf. He has every corner of a dispute or negotiation covered, down to the fine details, showing excellent patience and understanding of his brief. Despite his Partner status, he deals with and gives time to every client conference we hold, in person, late into the night across a number of nights on matters that arose recently.'
Key clients
- Western Provident Association
- Akanda Corp and Canmart
Work highlights
- Defending Europe’s premium cannabis cultivator, Akanda Corp and Canmart Ltd, in a High Court claim for approximately £2m from a former employee.
- Providing Western Provident Association with day-to-day HR advice, as well as advice on business immigration matters.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Carl Vincent