United Kingdom > North West > Human resources
Employment
Employment
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- Addleshaw Goddard LLP Manchester
- DLA Piper UK LLP Manchester, Liverpool
- DWF LLP Liverpool, Manchester
- Eversheds LLP Manchester
- Gateley Manchester
- Hill Dickinson LLP Manchester
- Squire Sanders Hammonds Manchester
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- Beachcroft Manchester
- Brabners Chaffe Street LLP Liverpool, Manchester, Preston
- Cobbetts LLP Manchester
- Pannone LLP Manchester
- Pinsent Masons LLP Manchester
- Weightmans LLP Liverpool, Manchester
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- Aaron & Partners LLP Chester
- Berg Legal Manchester
- Clarke Willmott LLP Manchester
- George Davies Solicitors LLP Manchester
- Hempsons Manchester
- Irwin Mitchell LLP Manchester
- KBL Bolton
- SAS Daniels LLP Stockport
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- Forbes Blackburn, Preston
- Hillyer McKeown Chester
- JMW Solicitors LLP Manchester
- Kuit Steinart Levy LLP Manchester
- Martin & Co Manchester
- Neil Myerson LLP Manchester
- Nexus Solicitors Manchester
- Stephensons Solicitors LLP Wigan
- Stripes Solicitors Manchester
- Trowers & Hamlins LLP Manchester
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- Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP Liverpool, Manchester
- Chambers O’Neill Manchester, Chester
- Freeth Cartwright LLP Manchester
- Gorvins Stockport
- Laytons Manchester
- McGrigors LLP Manchester
- Thomas Mansfield LLP Manchester
Addleshaw Goddard LLP has recruited seven new associates, as well as Kate McGough from DLA Piper UK LLP. Jamie Hamnett (‘a fantastic all-rounder’) now manages the team alongside other key partners Andrew Chamberlain and Malcolm Pike, who all win exceptionally high praise from clients. New clients include Daisy plc, Liverpool City Council, and ArcelorMittal.
DLA Piper UK LLP expanded its team with the recruitment of associate Emma Mills from Halliwells, and legal director Stephen Robinson from Davies Arnold Cooper LLP. Helen Hall is praised for her ‘depth of knowledge and promptness’; Jane Cotton gives ‘first-class’ advice on the contentious side; and Mary Clarke is recommended for complex matters.
In 2010, DWF LLP attracted a substantial number of major new clients across a range of sectors, and added seven new fee-earners, including Ed Farrelly from Eversheds LLP. Practice head Kirsty Rogers and Tim Scott are both highly recommended.
Eversheds LLP has a particular emphasis on the education sector, where new clients include Manchester Metropolitan University. Practice head Michael Thompson continues to act for a number of household names, and Peter Norbury is well known for trade union and industrial relations work. Diane Gilhooley excels in the education sector; and Naeema Choudry ‘gives pragmatic advice with a strong commercial edge’.
Gateley had some significant client wins in 2010, and continues to act for a number of public sector clients. Contentious highlights included acting for the same client in a multi-party action and a complex TUPE matter with potential exposure in excess of £1m. Team head Michael Ball wins high praise from clients.
In addition to a raft of internal promotions, Hill Dickinson LLP’s Liverpool office also acquired a team of four from Halliwells led by Kerstie Skeaping, adding significant experience in tribunal hearings, and in trade union matters and industrial relations. Jeff Middleton now leads the team; former practice head Michael Morrison has moved to a consultancy position with the firm.
The team at Squire Sanders Hammonds provides advice to some of the UK’s biggest blue-chip companies. Nick Jones and Dan Bickerstaffe are both praised for their commitment to getting the job done; ‘with this firm there is no debate, you don’t ask twice, they just do it’. Simon Ost handles union work.
Beachcroft won appointments to the Royal Mail’s new commercial panel and to Balfour Beatty plc’s panel. Paula Cole has ‘the ability to see the next step and prepare a plan of action to deal with it at an early stage’. Many members of the team are praised for their commitment to getting to know their clients’ business, including Deborah Hely, and Sue Jenkins.
The team at Brabners Chaffe Street LLP undertakes a large volume of tribunal litigation work, and was recently appointed as sole provider of employment litigation services to AXA. The team also has a strong reputation in the sports sector. Lydia Edgar and Nick Campbell are both recommended.
Cobbetts LLP has seen an increase in employment tribunal claims, as well as renewed interest in mediation. Recent work includes advising on the exit of a director from Cadbury following its takeover by Kraft. Judith Watson, who leads the team, is recommended.
Pannone LLP acts for high-profile clients including the Bank of England, National Grid, and Kelloggs, and new gains include Tesco and Burley Borough Council. Jack Harrington is ‘the kind of private practice lawyer that commercial clients respect and like’; and Laura D’Arcy is ‘always readily available and gives sound advice’.
Praised for its robust approach and deep industry knowledge, the relatively small team at Pinsent Masons LLP continues to punch above its weight, winning clients such as Manchester United Limited and AstraZenaca UK Limited. The team is led by Simon Horsfield.
Weightmans LLP was successfully retained in 2010 for employment work on both the North West NHS consortium and the North West Local Government consortium. The team’s presence in the public sector was strengthened by the firm’s merger with Mace & Jones, whose clients included the North West Development Agency, and the Health & Safety Executive. Mark Leach is an ‘outstanding lawyer, very capable, unflappable’, and Stuart Jones is also recommended. Emlyn Williams is ‘able to combine impressive legal knowledge with an in-depth understanding of the public sector and its nuances’; and the ‘unflappable’ Mark Hatfield is ‘always on top of a case’.
Aaron & Partners LLP acted for local and international companies on tribunal claims and several complex TUPE transfer issues, and has also appointed several new fee-earners. Practice head Helen Watson has ‘excellent legal skills, clarity of advice and superb client care’; and Claire Brook is ‘highly competent and works hard and successfully for her clients’.
Berg Legal recently welcomed the experienced Nigel Crebbin from Gorvins. In 2010, the team advised a number of large new clients on terminations of senior appointments, and TUPE transfers; and also advised on bullying and harrassment claims. Department head Alison Loveday is recommended.
Lindsey Bell arrived at Clarke Willmott LLP from JMW Solicitors LLP to head up the employment team, with one other assistant solicitor and a large client base.
George Davies Solicitors LLP has attracted key clients in the leisure industry including the Tampopo Restaurant chain. Following its appointment to the North West Collaborative Commercial Agency’s legal services panel, the team also received instructions to advise a leading North West PCT on employment matters. Sara Barrett heads the team.
Hempsons continues to advise clients in the health sector, regularly acting for PCTs and NHS trusts. Sean Reynolds has led on several national test cases raising some complex points of law.
Irwin Mitchell LLP gained new clients such as Trust Inns Limited, and Preston North End FC. Ed Cotton is recommended for the ‘level and depth of his experience and his supportive approach’.
KBL acts predominantly for senior executives, but also advises employers. The team, led by John Hassells, has been busy in tribunal work, and redundancy and restructuring issues.
SAS Daniels LLP has a sizeable and ‘proactive’ employment practice and achieved a number of notable victories for clients in tribunal claims. Mark Bestley is ‘on top of his game’, and successfully defended an application for interim relief in an unfair dismissal claim.
Forbes is particularly strong in the public sector, where it represents six local authorities on the full range of employment matters. Peter Byrne leads the team.
Head of department Justine Watkinson at Hillyer McKeown is ‘a safe pair of hands and has a no-nonsense approach, offering practical, proactive and easy-to-understand advice’. Lindsey Kidd is also highly recommended.
Ian Tranter took over as head of department at JMW Solicitors LLP, with Lindsey Bell having moved to Clarke Willmott LLP. Tranter advises on a broad range of employment matters and acts for a strong client base.
Kuit Steinart Levy LLP has a stable list of corporate clients. Sally Bird, who heads the department, regularly acts in high level employment issues.
At Martin & Co, John Martin is ‘very knowledgeable’ and ‘very personable’, and acts for clients such as Trafford College and Heyrod Construction. He is well known for his work in the education field.
Neil Myerson LLP won a significant number of new clients, including Eastern Airways, and European Metal Recycling (the largest privately owned employer in the North West).
Nexus Solicitors is increasingly handling complex instructions. Carl Moran applies ‘significant expertise in employment law in a considered, pragmatic and efficient manner’.
Stephensons Solicitors LLP acts for claimants and respondents in tribunal matters. The team also undertakes publicly funded work, and runs an advice line on behalf of the Legal Services Commission.
Stripes Solicitors saw Paul Harris-Stelfox leave to join Thomas Mansfield LLP, but was bolstered by the arrival of a new director, Dave Parry, from Addleshaw Goddard LLP.
Mike Gaskell heads the team atTrowers & Hamlins LLP, which has been dealing with increasing numbers of multiple claims against the same employer, and also acts for Kier Limited.
Employment: employee/union firms
Employment: employee/union firms
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- Russell Jones & Walker Manchester
- Thompsons Solicitors LLP Manchester
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- Berg Legal Manchester
- Gorvins Manchester
- Laytons Manchester
- Linder Myers LLP Manchester
- Pannone LLP Manchester
- Stripes Solicitors Manchester
Russell Jones & Walker exclusively advises employees at all levels, not only in the trade union arena but also in the private individual employee and senior executive fields, and continues to handle cutting-edge employment cases. Department head Martin Price joined the firm from Leeds’ Walker Morris.
Thompsons Solicitors LLP has a large and long-established presence in trade union work. Chris Strogen and Matthew Tollit lead the Manchester and Liverpool teams respectively.
Recent work for department head Alison Loveday at Berg Legal includes acting for senior employees in the retail, leisure, financial services, and education sectors. Nigel Crebbin joined the firm from Gorvins.
The ‘fantastic team’ at Gorvins is led by David Walton, who has a wealth of experience advising individuals, and is noted for his sympathetic and sensible approach.
Keith Corkan leads the team at Laytons, which remains strong in class action claims. The ‘very pleasant, reliable and knowledgeable’ Michelle Gray acts for senior executives.
Jim Lister heads the team at Pannone LLP. David Carmichael specialises in executive termination matters, restrictive covenants, and injuctions.
Stripes Solicitors welcomed new director Dave Parry from Addleshaw Goddard LLP.
Health and safety
Health and safety
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- Addleshaw Goddard LLP Manchester
- Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP Manchester
- DWF LLP Manchester
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- Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP Manchester
- Hill Dickinson LLP Chester, Liverpool
- Osborn Abas Hunt Manchester
- Squire Sanders Hammonds Manchester
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- Beachcroft Manchester
- DLA Piper UK LLP Manchester
- Forbes Blackburn
- Keoghs LLP Bolton
- Pannone LLP Manchester
- Weightmans LLP Liverpool
Addleshaw Goddard LLP has expanded its blue-chip client list. In addition to prosecution work and investigations, it also gained work from high-profile UK and multinational companies requiring advice on safety governance and management. Adrian Bever has ‘good knowledge of both criminal and civil law’, and leads the team.
Barlow Lyde & Gilbert LLP now houses the former health and safety team of Halliwells. Highlights included advising TAV Engineering Limited in its prosecution arising from the Buncefield explosion. Chris Morrison leads the team.
DWF LLP advises insurer clients such as QBE Insurance, and is also advising a range of clients in the construction, waste and manufacturing sectors on fatal accident cases. Team head Steffan Groch provides ‘a first-class legal service’.
Berrymans Lace Mawer LLP has a growing profile in this area, and has seen a particular increase in instructions involving regulatory work, where clients include Aviva, and complex inquest cases. Denise Dowen joined from Hill Dickinson LLP. Atiyah Malik is recommended.
The team at Hill Dickinson LLP is ‘excellent in all respects’. Simon Parrington, who is ‘meticulous in his preparation’ and ‘highly respected in the courts’, heads the prosecution team, while Richard Green leads the defence team.
The team at Osborn Abas Hunt is led by the highly regarded Madeleine Abas, who is ‘bright, meticulous and exceptionally well organised, made of steel but totally personable’. It attracts complex and high-profile instructions from an impressive client base which includes Crossrail Limited and Amec Group.
Squire Sanders Hammonds acts predominantly for corporate clients including National Grid, EDF/British Energy, BASF, and Kier. Rob Elvin leads the team.
Beachcroft has a growing presence in this area, having recently acted for a number of major corporate clients in high-profile HSE investigations. Iain Moore leads the team.
DLA Piper UK LLP acts on a wide variety of contentious and non-contentious matters ranging from serious injury and fatality cases to complex environmental issues. Richard Smyth is a well-known regulatory expert.
Forbes represents private and public bodies, insurers and individuals in health and safety matters. Paul Geldard is the contact.
The regulatory team at Keoghs LLP predominantly advises major insurers and adjusters, including AXA and Zurich, but also acts for corporates. Neena Sharma and department head David Walton are both highly recommended.
Pannone LLP has a long history of acting for individuals facing prosecution, but also acts for Balfour Beatty. John Gollaglee focuses on regulatory defence work. Jason Cropper, whose experience includes prosecuting for the HSE, has recently moved to DWF LLP.
David Lewis is the practice head at Weightmans LLP and wins exceptional praise from clients for his ‘compassion and understanding in disturbing circumstances’. The team also has the benefit of former HSE inspector Nick Wilson.
Pensions
Pensions
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- Addleshaw Goddard LLP Manchester
- DLA Piper UK LLP Liverpool, Manchester
- Eversheds LLP Manchester
- Pinsent Masons LLP Manchester
- Squire Sanders Hammonds Manchester
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- DWF LLP Liverpool
- Gateley Manchester
- Hill Dickinson LLP Liverpool
Addleshaw Goddard LLP’s team operates predominantly from Leeds with strong support from the Manchester office. Paul Carney leads a strong public sector practice; and Susan Garrett leads a growing pensions litigation practice. Rachel Rawnsley heads the team from Leeds.
The quality of service and advice at DLA Piper UK LLP is considered by clients to be excellent. Work highlights for practice head David Wright, who shows a ‘supportive and pragmatic approach to identifying solutions’, included advising Universities Superannuation Scheme Limited in relation to proposed scheme changes. Ben Miller is also recommended.
Eversheds LLP attracted numerous new clients in 2010 and continues to advise on complex issues. Clients include the Umbro Pension Plan. Ronald Graham, who ‘adds gravitas to any advice given’, leads the team, working alongside associate Sarah Lown.
Pinsent Masons LLP has a strong, partner-led team whose wealth of experience is reflected in its ability to win and retain high-profile clients such as the £2bn Balfour Beatty fund. Stephen Scholefield leads the team.
In 2010, the pensions team at Squire Sanders Hammonds won some 28 new clients, and on the disputes side saw an increase in applications to court on scheme administration issues. Practice head Steven Southern is ‘very pragmatic’.
DWF LLP won some significant new clients and saw an increase in the range, value and complexity of its work. Highlights included acting on numerous scheme termination projects and scheme mergers. Team head Mark Poulston is ‘very practical and covers matters in depth’.
Notable work for the team at Gateley included advising on a high-value and complex multi-employer scheme. Clients include the British Medical Association. Patrick Kennedy leads the team.
Led by Andrew Ashley Taylor, whose clients include Electricity Northwest, the team at Hill Dickinson LLP gained new instructions from a significant number of trustees, several listed entities, and large corporate employers.