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The ‘first-choice’ team at Browne Jacobson LLP is led by the ‘very approachable and knowledgeable’ Peter Jones, and has a strong mix of public and private sector clients. A team led by Edward Benson is currently acting in a case before the Supreme Court involving claims for part-time workers, with European legal aspects.

‘Premier league’ firm Eversheds LLP assists a regional, national and pan-European client base in the full range of employment law matters. Nicola Bennison ‘provides succinct advice’, and has expertise in education-related matters, and Mark Fletcher is noted for his TUPE work. Clients include Superdrug, Experian and Santander.

The ‘first-class’ team at Freeth Cartwright LLP acts for clients in the private and public sectors, including local authorities, government agencies and universities. Julian Middleton is the relationship partner for Aldi Stores, and David Potter and Matt McBride represent E.ON UK. Rena Magdani is a ‘very capable advocate’.

Gateley’s team provides employment advice to clients in the telecoms sector (BT); retail (Goldsmiths, DFS); and construction (Taylor Wimpey). It has been instructed by BT in relation to over 300 employment tribunal proceedings since 2006. Andrew Macmillan is valued for his ‘leadership and determination’. The team is noted for its ability to translate ‘exemplary knowledge’ into ‘meaningful advice’.

The three-partner team at Howes Percival LLP acts for corporates ATS Euromaster, Welcome Break Group and PKF, and conducts its own advocacy in tribunal proceedings. Department head Paula Bailey is ‘a strong negotiator’; Alex Payton is ‘reassuring’; and Natalie Howes is ‘technically excellent’.

Geldards LLP’s department combines the complementary talents of former employment judge Mike Butler, Ginny Hallam and Christopher Singh. It carries out contentious and non-contentious work for large corporates such as Vision Express, Alliance Boots and Pendragon, as well as handling TUPE-related work in the education sector.

At Harvey Ingram LLP, a team led by John Simon acted for large plumbing merchant Smith Brothers in the defence of an injunction claiming breach of confidence, which is now before the Court of Appeal. In 2011, the firm was appointed as claims manager in relation to a new employment liability insurance product.

Hewitsons LLP provides a service which is ‘never disappointing’, to clients across the healthcare, manufacturing and education sectors. In 2011, it acted for a large listed plc in relation to breaches of restrictive covenants. Senior associate Lynne Woodhead is ‘wonderful’, and department head Nick Hall is ‘an able communicator’.

Shoosmiths’ department has ‘excellent levels of service, good response times and great knowledge’ The main contact is senior associate Helen Burgess, who ‘goes the extra mile to help’, and Peter Duff provides partner-level input. They recently assisted Thomas Cook in relation to TUPE issues and redundancy consultations following a joint venture.

Niche firm Andersons has particular strength in the leisure sector. Sally Laughton and Anthony Kay are ‘excellent communicators’.

Langleys Solicitors LLP provides employment advice for academies in Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and South Yorkshire. Kate Hindmarch and Kelly Taylor are the contacts.

Nelsons Solicitors Limited has seen an increase in matters involving redundancies, compromise agreements and the voluntary sector. In 2011, the firm resolved a potential £1m claim against a client company by a former director. Andy Jamieson heads the team.

Shakespeares has been bolstered by the arrival of equal pay specialist Shelley Harcourt from Eversheds LLP. In 2011, a team led by Hilary Campion assisted Pall-Ex in relation to TUPE matters.

The ‘robust’ team at Weightmans LLP has specialist capability in equal pay matters, representing councils on the defendant side. New clients include Alpine Electronics and Whitbread. Team head Tim Lang is ‘very friendly and receptive’.

Actons’ Claire Bell ‘provides pragmatic and realistic advice’. She advises NHS employers, sports retailers, insolvency practitioners, and a construction company.

Union firm Bridge McFarland is recommended for redundancy, breach of contract, and equal pay and discrimination work. Richard Parnell is the key contact.

Chattertons’ employment offering is led by Jayne Harrison, who is experienced in acting on the claimant side in high-value tribunals claims. Assistant Rebecca Birkett is an immigration law specialist.

Noted for its ‘commitment to the cause’, Flint Bishop LLP’s team provides a traditional advisory service to a variety of employers in the SME sector. Assistant Emma Cooper is popular with clients.

PJH Law is recognised for its experience in the area.

The ‘accessible and flexible’ team at Smith Partnership includes James Johnson, who advised a comprehensive school on the legality of the NASUWT. Client wins include Fundtech FCS, and Team Telecom Group. The firm has launched a new online HR support website.

Spearing Waite LLP’s team has particular strength in sports employment matters, and acts for Leicester City FC and Leicestershire County Cricket Club.

Union firm Thompsons Solicitors LLP is active on the claimant side of employment disputes.

At Tollers LLP, Gary Tait provides the full range of employment advice. Avery Weigh-Tronix is a new client.

The client base at Wilkin Chapman LLP ranges from family-run businesses to health trusts. David Buckle is ‘imaginative and dogged’.

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Legal Developments in East Midlands for Employment

  • Personal accounts and auto-enrolment: looking ahead

    The government plans to introduce a new national ‘personal accounts’ pension system in 2012. From October of that year, all employers will be required to auto-enrol eligible employees into either the government’s new personal accounts scheme or, if it meets certain ‘qualifying’ criteria, the employer’s own pension arrangement.
    - Eversheds LLP

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