United Kingdom > South West > Human resources
Employment: Bristol
Employment: Bristol
Burges Salmon LLP’s practice is led by Chris Seaton and represents clients such as Standard Chartered, Bank of Ireland and the University of Bristol. It advised Babcock International Group on post-completion HR aspects of its £1.4bn acquisition of VT Group. Adrian Martin and Roger Bull are recommended.
Osborne Clarke’s practice is ‘very professional, very responsive’. Julian Hemming advised the directors of Cadbury on its takeover by Kraft, while practice head Paul Killen acted for Motorola on the planned spin-off of its mobile devices business.
TLT LLP acts for major public and private sector clients such as Imperial Tobacco, the Metropolitan Police Authority and the Energy Saving Trust. ‘Highly intelligent and experienced’ team head Stuart McBride ‘gives insightful, pragmatic advice’, and employee incentives expert Ben Watson ‘does not shy away from a challenge’.
Beachcroft’s ‘approachable and accessible’ team is led by Alex Lock, whose ‘practical and commercial edge makes him head and shoulders above the rest’; and Katy Horner demonstrates ‘very sound technical expertise’. The firm represents various public sector clients, including Avon & Somerset Constabulary. Vodafone is a new client.
Bevan Brittan LLP provides an ‘excellent’ service and exhibits a ‘real “can-do” attitude’. The team acts for private and public sector clients including Plymouth City Council, Wincanton Logistics and University College Falmouth. Julian Hoskins heads the team, in which the ‘very likeable’ Sarah Lamont is also recommended.
Bond Pearce LLP’s practice is headed by Simon Richardson, and acts for clients such as thetrainline.com. It also advised a multinational company on various employment law issues, notably regarding its Scandinavian operations. Tim Woodward joined from Bevan Brittan LLP.
Clarke Willmott LLP’s ‘exceptionally practical’ team is led by Sharon Latham, who is a ‘strong negotiator – honest and approachable’. The team acts for ROK, and has several notable sports clients including Somerset County Cricket Club and Bristol City FC.
QualitySolicitors Burroughs Day has a ‘superb’ niche practice in social care, handling a mix of claimant and respondent instructions. Group head Julia Beasley has ‘an ability to assess problems and excellent professional knowledge’.
Thrings LLP’s expertise includes a niche in agriculture and estates employment matters. Team head Kerrie Hunt is ‘professional and personable’.
Veale Wasbrough Vizards works extensively in the education sector. Practice head Julie Davis is recommended.
Humphreys & Co.’s Stephen Burbidge is ‘professional and diligent’, and has an active claimant practice.
Thompsons Solicitors LLP is recommended for its focus on representing union members as claimants.
Employment: Dorset and South Wiltshire
Employment: Dorset and South Wiltshire
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- Wilsons Salisbury
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- Lester Aldridge LLP Bournemouth
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3
- Frettens LLP Christchurch
- Kemp Jones Solicitors Christchurch
- Parker Bullen LLP Salisbury
- Steele Raymond LLP Bournemouth
Wilsons provides a ‘very responsive and reliable service’ to clients including Savills and West London Academy. Clients rate the ‘great understanding’ of Deborah West, the ‘outstanding’ Anthony Edwards, and team head Stephen Oxley.
Lester Aldridge LLP’s team, which ‘provides very commercial advice at all times’ and has notable expertise in TUPE issues. Susan Evans is recommended.
The ‘excellent’ Kate Fretten at Frettens LLP acts for clients including The Carford Group and Jewish Care.
Kemp Jones Solicitors provides employment advice that is ‘good, practical and down to earth’.
Parker Bullen LLP’s team, headed by Richard Le Masurier, has a specialism in educational employment matters.
Steele Raymond LLP’s Simon Outten has a noteworthy practice in discrimination cases.
Employment: M4 Corridor and Gloucestershire
Employment: M4 Corridor and Gloucestershire
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- BPE Solicitors LLP Cheltenham
- Charles Russell LLP Cheltenham
- Rickerbys LLP Cheltenham
- Withy King LLP Swindon, Bath
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- Maitland Walker LLP Cheltenham
- Sherbornes Solicitors LLP Cheltenham
- Stone King LLP Bath
- Thrings LLP Swindon
- Willans LLP Cheltenham
BPE Solicitors LLP’s Lisa Gettins is ‘reassuring’. The team advised Interserve Support Services in a claim brought by the GMB on behalf of 93 claimants.
Charles Russell LLP’s Sarah Jane Turcan acts for several high-profile clients, and acted for Arts Educational Schools, London in defending a claim for unfair dismissal and whistleblowing.
Rickerbys LLP provides ‘well-considered help and advice’ to clients including Stroud and Swindon Building Society. Education specialist Alice Reeve ‘provides excellent advice’.
Withy King LLP’s Malcolm Gregory and Tony Brown are recommended. Clients include Wessex Water.
Maitland Walker LLP’s John Clarke is recommended for matters in the education sector.
The well-respected Darren Sherborne established the new specialist employment firm of Sherbornes Solicitors LLP in 2011 following his departure from Rickerbys LLP.
Stone King LLP’s ‘extremely effective’ Nick Watson and Peter Woodhouse specialise in the not-for-profit sector and education.
Kerrie Hunt’s team at Thrings LLP provides advice to private and public sector clients, including on managing the process of informing and consulting employees under TUPE.
Willans LLP’s William Morse has a successful practice in the engineering and aerospace sectors.
Employment: The West Country
Employment: The West Country
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1
- Ashfords LLP Exeter, Plymouth, Taunton
- Bond Pearce LLP Plymouth
- Foot Anstey Plymouth, Exeter, Taunton
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- Kitsons LLP Torquay, Plymouth, Exeter
- Michelmores LLP Exeter, Sidmouth
- Nicholas Moore specialist employment lawyers Wellington
- Stephens Scown LLP Exeter, Truro, St Austell
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- Beers LLP Kingsbridge, Plymouth
- Filor Employment Lawyers Spreyton
- Follett Stock Truro, Exeter
- Pardoes Taunton
- Stones Solicitors LLP Exeter
- Wolferstans Plymouth
Ashfords LLP provides ‘appropriate, invaluable and efficient’ advice to clients including North Yorkshire County Council and South West Grid for Learning. Team head Charles Pallot is recommended, along with Rhiain Lewis and Michelle Fox.
Bond Pearce LLP’s team successfully represented Sutton Harbour Holdings (and its subsidiary Air Southwest) on a Unite statutory recognition bid. The team, led by Nikki Duncan, also represents several major public sector organisations.
Foot Anstey has earned new clients such as Plymouth Community Homes and Rodda’s, to add to longstanding clients including Odeon Cinemas and Torbay Council. The team provided the Eden Project with general employment support and tribunal advice. Team head Matthew Huddleson is recommended, as is Patrick Howarth.
Kitsons LLP is praised for its ‘practical’ advice, predominantly to respondents. Clients include South West Tourism, Riverford Organic Vegetables, and Torquay Boys Grammar School. Practice head Rhodri Davey has a ‘common-sense approach and the ability to achieve resolution’.
Michelmores LLP’s ‘first-class’ employment team acts for clients including Devon Primary Care NHS Trust and the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. Practice head Andrew Tobey is recommended; Tim Davies provides ‘practical, business-focused advice’; and James Baker always gives clients his ‘undivided attention’.
Nicholas Moore specialist employment lawyers’ ‘very efficient’ team has an excellent client base, including P&O Ferries. Emma Ramsay ‘pre-empts future issues and risks’, and practice head Nicholas Moore is also recommended.
Nigel Moore heads the team at Stephens Scown LLP, which successfully acted for the respondent in an unfair dismissal and race discrimination case. Clients include Cornwall Mutual Assurance Company and Devon Doctors.
Beers LLP’s team head Paul Housego is ‘an outstanding individual, who has immense knowledge’ and ‘knows how to put it into practice’.
Filor Employment Lawyers provides the full gamut of employment services. Name partner Christopher Filor is recommended.
Follett Stock’s ‘first-rate’ team is headed by Verity Slater, who ‘gives excellent practical guidance’.
Pardoes’s Maeve Vickery is recommended.
Terry Falcão at Stones Solicitors LLP is ‘efficient, knowledgeable, and expert in the area’.
Eoin Fowell is a ‘solid lawyer’ and heads Wolferstans’ practice.
Health and safety
Health and safety
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- Beachcroft Bristol
- Bond Pearce LLP Plymouth, Exeter
- Osborne Clarke Bristol
- Pinsent Masons LLP Bristol
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- Burges Salmon LLP Bristol
- Lester Aldridge LLP Bournemouth
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- Foot Anstey Plymouth
- Greenwoods Solicitors Bristol
- TLT LLP Bristol
- Veale Wasbrough Vizards Bristol
Beachcroft provides a full service to an excellent client base including several multinationals. The hugely experienced Sally Roff is recommended, as is ‘hard worker and strategic thinker’ Andrew Stokes.
Bond Pearce LLP has an excellent reputation, with Jon Cooper’s 15-fee-earner team counting Bhs and Royal Mail Group as clients. The team also acted for New Look Retailers on the first appeal case under the new fire safety regime.
Richard Bretton heads Osborne Clarke’s busy team, whose clients include Marks & Spencer and Western Power Distribution. The group also acted for RWE npower in a health and safety prosecution.
Kevin Bridges heads the team at Pinsent Masons LLP, which acts for major clients including The National Trust, Tesco, Asda and IKEA. Cotswold Geotechnical (Holdings) instructed the firm on the first case to be brought under the new Corporate Manslaughter Act.
Burges Salmon LLP acted for Hochtief during a police and HSE investigation and criminal prosecution. Practice head Ann Metherall and the highly rated Chris Jackson are recommended.
Lester Aldridge LLP’s ‘outstanding’ team primarily acts for the Health and Safety Executive. Practice head Michael Veal has ‘excellent judgement’ and is ‘an asset, particularly in complex contested matters’.
Foot Anstey’s Nigel Lyons acts on many agricultural matters.
Stephen Byass heads the team at Greenwoods Solicitors, and enjoys a formidable reputation.
Kerry Gwyther’s ‘fantastic’ team at TLT LLP is ‘second to none’ and advises clients such as Imperial Tobacco.
Veale Wasbrough Vizards’ Tabitha Cave (‘very approachable and accessible’) and Simon Bevan (‘expert, professional, charming, patient’) are recommended for education-related matters.
Pensions
Pensions
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- Burges Salmon LLP Bristol
- Osborne Clarke Bristol
- TLT LLP Bristol
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- Bond Pearce LLP Plymouth, Bristol
Burges Salmon LLP’s team demonstrates ‘exceptional ability and client skills’, and advice is ‘always delivered in a clear, concise manner’. Tim Illston and Richard Knight are recommended, as is the ‘extremely approachable’ Clive Pugh. The team advised the trustees of Westland pension scheme on negotiating termination of final salary pension accrual under the Westland scheme.
Osborne Clarke’s team is led by the ‘very bright and extremely experienced’ Jonathan Hazlett. It recently advised on the pension funds of Imperial Tobacco and the National Museum of Wales. Paul Matthews is ‘conscientious and knowledgeable’.
TLT LLP’s ‘very good’ team acts for the trustees of several pension schemes, including those of UPS, and also advises Avon Rubber. Sasha Butterworth is a ‘good communicator and highly professional’, and Richard Leigh is ‘commercially aware and knowledgeable’.
Bond Pearce LLP’s ‘excellent’ team is led by Charmian Leatt, and acts for clients including Brittany Ferries and Teachers Building Society. Richard Lister is also recommended.