Garnering praise for its ‘strong employment team with excellent knowledge’, Foot Anstey acts primarily for employers, in particular those active in the retail and consumer as well as private equity industries. Led by Karen Bates in Exeter, the team includes Joanne Boyle, a key contact in the firm’s Bristol office who counts business transformation projects amongst her areas of focus, where she assists clients with restructurings and redundancies. Private equity companies frequently turn to Angharad Davies for her sector expertise.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • 'Foot Anstey have a strong employment team with excellent knowledge.'

  • ‘Joanne Boyle's employment law knowledge is second-to-none. Her client care skills are superb, always going the extra mile to get the right results for her clients. Her preparation of cases is meticulous and she is a great collaborator.’

  • ‘Foot Anstey have an established presence in the South West and clearly understand the nature of the business and individuals they represent.’

  • ‘Michael Thompson is a friendly and diligent lawyer. He listens carefully, processes information quickly and analyses it with reference to information and documentation he has already considered.’

  • ‘Joanne Boyle is knowledgeable and works collaboratively with us to ensure that our needs are incorporated and key areas are given focus.’

  • ‘Joanne Boyle's level of knowledge is exceptional! Joanne has a unique delivery and facilitation style that make her courses memorable, interactive and helps to ensure that learning is retained and easily recalled.’

  • ‘My experience of the employment law team in Bristol has been exceptional as has their knowledge and swift, decisive communication. Quickly sizing up the issue and then providing the solution.’

  • ‘Joanne Boyle and her team are so quick with their responses, knowledgeable and clear with their information. No question is too daft; in fact, Joanne builds up your confidence with her supportive manner. Where she has concerns, she couches it in such a way as to help you learn.’

Key clients

  • St Monica Trust
  • National Farmers Union (NFU)
  • Signet Jewellers
  • Tower Street Finance Ltd
  • Xtel UK Limited
  • Bartlett Mitchell
  • Kocho Holdings Limited
  • Holroyd Howe
  • University of Plymouth Student Union
  • Nic Ice Limited
  • Lister Wilder
  • Integrity360
  • Aspen Pumps Limited
  • Martyn Hammond & Others
  • Rhubarb Food Design Limited
  • Draken Europe
  • AllPoints Fibre Network Limited

Work highlights

  • Advised St Monica Trust on its care home restructure across its portfolio of retirement villages and care homes.
  • Instructed to defend the NFU and various individual respondents on a complex whistleblowing claim.
  • Designed and delivered a four-day management development training programme & inclusive leadership programme for Bartlett Mitchell.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Karen Bates

Other key lawyers

Joanne Boyle, Michael Thomson, Angharad Davies