England - South West • Employment
Enable Law
Drawing on strong cross-office collaboration, Foot Anstey is reputed for its ‘excellent service’ and ‘down-to-earth practical advice’, working with a number of household names on a host of employment mandates. Legal director Joanne Boyle chairs the Bristol practice, where she works with a range of corporate clients on restructuring projects, redundancies, and whistleblowing claims, among other matters. A specialist in employment tribunal litigation, Michael Thomson’s recent engagements include matters for major retailers and aerospace companies, as well as the employment aspects of a number of corporate acquisitions. Angharad Davies – who joined the Bristol team from the Exeter office in August 2022 – is recommended for respondent-side discrimination claims and employment issues in the private equity sector.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team have a very good breadth of experience across all aspects of employment law. They are very client focussed, going above and beyond to provide an excellent service. They collaborate extremely well with counsel, involving them at an early stage of proceedings to ensure that the client gets the best possible outcomes.’
‘Joanne Boyle is simply superb. Her attention to detail is second to none. She never misses a relevant point. Her instructions to Counsel are always extremely well-prepared. She understands her client organisations inside out, priding herself on her client relationships. They always know she is a safe pair of hands. Her experience on complex discrimination and whistleblowing claims is extensive, and it shows. Her team working is excellent, her strategic and tactical approaches to cases are always spot on. She is quite simply a delight to work with.’
‘Foot Anstey provide down-to-earth practical advice. They are highly knowledgeable and can apply employment law in a realistic and relatable way so that you receive value adding advice and support.’
‘Michael Thomson - across tribunals and case work - provides valued down-to-earth and practical support.'
‘There is a real commitment to understanding our needs as an organisation, as a values driven employer within a unique sector. Strength in being to access specialist advice from others within the practice at critical speed to help inform key decisions. A very tailored approach.’
‘The individual practice of our main point of contact has been impeccable, her people skills and ability to listen, interpret and engage in a way which is professional and personable are impressive. Complex analysis has been explained in very accessible ways, where I leave a call feeling very clear and supported. I have been able to reach out for advice at any time and have been continually pleased with the level of responsiveness and attentiveness to our needs and requirements.’
‘When necessary, we have had excellent support and knowledge from other colleagues. We always feel supported and valued. Never had a poor experience from this team.’
‘Jo Boyle is our main contact and is extremely knowledgeable and supportive. She is able to answer every query immediately and always answers as quickly as possible. She is amiable yet extremely professional, which makes her able to advise all our teams at all levels.’
Key clients
- St Monica Trust
- OH PE Holdings Limited
- Kocho Holdings Limited
- Holroyd Howe
- National Farmers Union
- Signet Jewellers (H Samuel & Ernest Jones)
- Falmouth & Exeter Student Union
- Christ Church Oxford University
- Nic Ice Limited
- Lister Wilder
- Integrity360
- Aspen Pumps Limited
- Martyn Hammond & Others
- Rhubarb Food Design Limited
- Draken Europe
Work highlights
- Advised St Monica Trust on its Care Home Restructure across its portfolio of retirement villages/care homes.
- Advised OH PE Holdings Limited on its global restructure of its Evidence & Access team across the USA, UK and the Netherlands.
- Designed and delivered four-day Management Development Training Programme & Inclusive Leadership (Unconscious bias) programme for Holroyd Howe – forming part of its flagship L&D programme going forward.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Karen Bates