A litany of public sector clients – including local councils, housing authorities, NHS trusts, foundations, and major educational institutions – turn to Bevan Brittan LLP for its ability to ‘produce excellent work and fantastic commercial results.’ Julian Hoskins is a veteran advisor to employers in the health sector, routinely assisting with claims, conduct issues, and reorganisations, among other matters. Sarah Lamont boasts more than three decades of working with a mix of public and private sector businesses, with recent engagements including discrimination tribunals, restructurings, and TUPE transfers. Anne Palmer is a comparably experienced practitioner who has latterly represented leading educational institutions on key reputational matters. James Gutteridge is noted for his focus on public sector health trusts. Rachel Newman is also recommended, both for contentious and non-contentious work.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

‘Bevan Brittan are my go-to experts with regard to complex governance and employment matters. Bevan Brittan excels in both fields, and the employment team supported the governance team and provided clear advice and direction in handling a complex matter involving employees. Top marks!’
‘Sarah Lamont was excellent, and her advice was solid and instrumental in finding the right solution.’
‘The employment lawyers at Bevan Brittan Bristol are simply wonderful. The lawyers work diligently to produce excellent work and fantastic commercial results. The individual lawyers are a pleasure to work with and can find solutions to the most complex and stressful problems. Work is delivered on time or even in advance, and it's consistently of excellent quality. The bills are accurate and clear. Communication on estimates and costs is also clear and transparent.’
‘Rachel Newman's client service is excellent; she manages complex work and makes it sound less scary. She's trustworthy, calm and easy to work with.’
‘The team are specialists in their understanding of employment issues facing public sector employers. There is both strength and depth within the team, with senior lawyers available to advise on sensitive and strategic matters and competent junior team to manager ET claims. Billing is accurate and reasonable, giving regard to the complexity of cases.
‘We regularly work with James Gutteridge, who is a calm and knowledgeable adviser with a sound understanding of the requirements of an in-house legal team and who adapts the advice given accordingly. He is good with witnesses and practicable in his approach.’
‘The experience and professional support we have received from Bevan Brittan has been excellent. The lawyers and team have been insightful and competent’
‘We have worked with Sarah Lamont on a number of issues this year, and she has very quickly built trust and demonstrated her capability and credibility. It feels like a partnership, which is very reassuring. She is pragmatic and provides confidence when dealing with complex and contentious issues. Sarah quickly understands the issue in hand, our needs/focus, and works with us to find a solution that best works. Sarah is honest with her advice and the risk of potential strategies, ensuring we are well-informed and able to take decisions.’

Key clients

Local Government Association
Southern Housing
Sustrans
Peabody Trust
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust
National Savings and Investments
Royal United Hospitals Bath
Liverpool City Council
St Monica’s Trust
National Employment Savings Trust
Plymouth NHS Foundation Trust
Dudley MBC
Sheffield CC
Hart District Council
Merton Council
Haringey LBC
Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Oxfordshire CC
Wiltshire Council
Surrey Council
North Somerset District Council
Thurrock Council

Work highlights

Advised NS&I on the employment and pensions aspects of one of the biggest government IT outsourcing projects of its kind to procure 5 separate contracts together valued at £800m. Also advising on the splitting up of, and exit from, the existing IT contract with Atos.
Provided ongoing and detailed advice across a southwest client base of NHS provider and commissioner organisations on the processes relating to and risks of industrial action; and how to mitigate the impact and ensure that good relations are maintained with key public sector workers.
Advised Peabody and Catalyst Housing on all employment and pensions aspects of their merger, which will create one of the biggest housing associations and regeneration schemes in the country.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame

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