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Described as being ‘in a league of its own‘ and having ‘quality people‘, Dickinson Dees LLP balances a mix of private and public sector clients, advising on both contentious and non-contentious matters. Practice head Glenn Calvert advised Northern Electric and Yorkshire Electricity on industrial action by unions, and Lorraine Heard has been acting for various NHS trusts in the defence of vast numbers of equal pay claims. The team also advises Croydon Council and a major car retailer.

Eversheds LLP retains its broad public and private sector client base, and like many in the region is receiving numerous equal pay instructions; in this area the team represents clients including Northumbria Healthcare and North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust. Shirley Wright and Simon Loy are recommended.

The ‘customer-focused and professional‘ Watson Burton LLP team is praised for ‘legal responses tempered with common sense and the realities of life‘. It has advised numerous local authorities throughout the UK on large-scale reorganisations. Paul McGowan is recommended for his ‘depth of knowledge and thoroughness of approach‘, and clients single out ‘outstanding‘ associate Sarah Barratt.

2008 saw the appointment of Ward Hadaway to Orange’s national legal panel in addition to the team’s winning of several new regional NHS clients. The sizeable team includes Bernard Hodgson and Joe Thornhill, who are recommended for ‘excellent advice with practical applications‘. Notable instructions include acting for a large public sector client on a high-profile discrimination claim. Clients praise the ‘quality of service, response times and legal knowledge‘.

Highlights for Muckle LLP included acting for John Parkin, former chief executive of Newcastle International Airport, in his highly publicised multimillion-pound dispute with his former employer. Tony McPhillips, Paul Johnstone and Chris Maddock are recommended.

Claimant firm Thompsons is noted for its advice to individuals and unions, with Iain Birrell in particular recommended. The team is experienced in discrimination and equal pay claims.

Recommended partner Graeme Ritzema heads the team at BHP Law, which recently acted for one of the region’s largest insurers and a client in the global food industry.

Union and employee work is the focus at Browell Smith & Co. The GMB continues to instruct the practice, with recent work including GMB v Angel Biotechnology Ltd where the employer allegedly failed to consult with a recognised trade union regarding redundancies. Team head Brian Freeman is recommended.

Crutes Law Firm has seen a growth in private sector clients, with recent instructions coming from a plc and an AIM-listed company. David Gibson leads the team, which recently advised a number of high-profile hedge fund dealers on termination packages.

Offering ‘particular strength on complex matters‘, Hay & Kilner regularly appears in tribunal on unfair dismissal and whistle-blowing cases among others. Neil Dwyer and Sarah Hall are recommended as ‘very capable individuals‘, and clients also single out associate Sarah Furness. Instructions come from private healthcare providers and a marine supplies company.

Joint senior partner Kevin Fletcher heads the employment team at the recently merged Mincoff Jacksons LLP. The practice advises plcs, SMEs and public sector clients. Recent highlights include appearances at the EAT and advising a national retail client on a restructuring.

Samuel Phillips Law Firm boasts a strong and solid public sector client base, acting for the largest NHS trust in the region on numerous matters including equal pay cases, and also for Northumbria Police. Robert Gibson is recommended.

The team at Short Richardson & Forth LLP boasts some big-name clients in the energy/petrochemical and related sectors. Max Winthrop and Jean-Pierre Van Zyl are dedicated employment partners, and are both recommended. The team was strengthened by the arrival of the highly experienced Dr John McMullen in April 2009.

Recent instructions for Sintons LLP include advising Newcastle United FC on outsourcing matters, and the team also boasts transport giant Arriva as a client. Christopher Welch is recommended.

Robert G Irons at Archers Law LLP provides ‘excellent advice‘.

Baines Wilson Solicitors has seen a number of public sector client wins, with Joanne Holborn recommended.

Burnetts is noted for its advice to higher education institutions on equal pay issues.

Endeavour Partnership LLP, under Julie Bruce, is recommended for advice on discrimination cases.

Hayton Winkley Kendal is noted for contentious and non-contentious work.

At newly ranked Sharon Langridge Employment Lawyers, Sharon Langridge is ‘very capable‘.

The niche practice at Stefan Cross Solicitors stands out for its equal pay claimant work.

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