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‘Leading individual’ Nicholas Jew heads DLA Piper UK LLP’s team, which acts for Selfridges, IMI and Kodak. Highlights included Karen Macpherson advising Wipro Technologies on the employment details of various outsourcing deals. Sandra Wallace has a ‘no-nonsense, pragmatic and commercial approach’, and offers ‘knowledge and advice that is extremely valuable’. ‘The time the team invests into building client relationships sets it apart from much of the competition.’

Eversheds LLP’s team is credited as ‘knowledgeable and personable’. Its client base includes Centrica, Rolls-Royce and Diageo, and recently expanded to include Imperial Tobacco and Johnson Controls. The group advised Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council on the introduction of Single Status terms and conditions. David Beswick is a clear market leader, and Mark Hammerton is recommended as ‘professional and very knowledgeable’.

‘Absolute class act’ Linda Jones at Pinsent Masons LLP is regularly identified as one of the best employment lawyers in Birmingham. The group advised Asda on the employment aspects of its bid for Netto Foodstores, and subsequently represented Asda on the required disposal of 47 stores. Senior associate Charles Rae is a ‘personable and experienced lawyer’, and comes highly recommended.

Wragge & Co LLP has been busy advising on employee investigations and restructuring work, as well as handling day-to-day employment work for public and private sector clients. Jane Fielding and Jonathan Chamberlain are both well respected, with Fielding recently advising the Kennedy Trust on moving the Kennedy Research Institute of Rheumatology from Imperial College London to a new research centre. Martin Chitty is a ‘key standout’.

Cobbetts LLP’s team provides ‘advice that is down to earth and well thought through’. The team successfully appealed race findings for a large PCT, and advised a housing association on the restructuring of its senior executive team. Ashley Norman ‘provides innovative ideas’, and Kathy Halliday is recommended for matters in the housing sector.

At Gateley, ‘a partner is always available and the advice is excellent’. The group is representing BT in employment tribunal litigation, and acting for the Pertemps Group on contentious matters and strategic issues. Victoria Garrad ‘sees things from the client’s perspective and gives honest guidance that is valued highly’.

Martineau’s clients credit the ‘legal interventions made by the group with adding significant value’, and cite the ‘proactive, practical and pragmatic approach’ as crucial to ‘steering matters to a successful conclusion’. The team recently advised a university on the closure of two schools and the creation of a new school. David Faulkner, Jane Byford and Ben Thornber are ‘concise and pragmatic’.

Squire Sanders Hammonds is ‘very accessible, has quick turnaround times and provides very commercial advice’. Charles Frost recently advised Aston Villa FC on the contract for its new manager, while Ramez Moussa advised The Doyle Collection on various reorganisations. New clients include Game and Satmetrix.

Mills & Reeve LLP’s Jog Hundle and Martin Brewer ‘go the extra mile, give an answer instead of a set of options, are extremely responsive, are not afraid of a challenge, and make clients feel safe’. The team gained its first instructions from the University of Manchester and NHS West Midlands.

Shakespeares’ team acts for clients such as Red Bull and Birmingham City University, and gained further strength through the firm’s merger with Needham & James. The team defended a manufacturing company in tribunal against claims of unfair dismissal, equal pay, and sex and disability discrimination. Simon Gilmour is the key contact.

Anthony Collins Solicitors LLP develops ‘good working relationships’, and provides ‘advice that is timely and appropriate’. Simon Ramshaw is now part of the employment team, which is headed by Stephen Dalling.

Averta Employment Lawyers is a leading firm for executive severance work, and recently secured a £1.5m severance package for a CEO of a major plc within seven days of being instructed. David Sykes is ‘supportive, knowledgeable, easy to work with, and goes the extra mile’; ‘remarkable negotiator’ Rachel Broughton is ‘very meticulous and responsive’; and Alan Jones is ‘particularly good’.

Hill Hofstetter LLP’s Ranjit Dhindsa is ‘responsive, quick to learn the business scenarios, and incredibly thorough’, as well as having a ‘good hands-on approach to problem solving’. The team mainly acts for US, French and German clients in the logistics, manufacturing and engineering sectors.

Irwin Mitchell LLP delivers a ‘first-class service and sound legal advice from an experienced team at a very reasonable price’. Fergal Dowling is ‘prompt and accurate’, and associate Ami Sanghera is ‘someone you always want fighting your corner’. Chris Piggott joined from Clarke Willmott LLP.

Richard Santy took over as head of employment at Shoosmiths following the departure of Rebecca Sawbridge to Freeth Cartwright LLP. The firm advised Accord Housing on changing the terms and conditions for all its employees. Rebecca McGuirk ‘understands company issues and is not too risk averse’.

Bevan Brittan LLP predominantly acts for public sector clients, with a particular emphasis on the health sector. Sarah Michael’s team advised a number of NHS trusts on equal pay litigation.

Browne Jacobson LLP’s team advised on hundreds of equal pay claims against NHS and local authority clients. Iain Patterson ‘gives sound advice that is intelligible to non-lawyers’.

Clarke Willmott LLP is ‘good value for money’. The group advised Trane on a redundancy programme, and also acted for clients such as Cotswold Lifts and Capital Dynamics.

FBC Manby Bowdler LLP advised a construction client on the employment issues regarding a restructuring, and acted on a number of complex discrimination claims. Tracy Worthington and Alasdair Hobbs are the key contacts.

George Green LLP ‘offers a cost-effective service coupled with a practical and pragmatic approach’. Tim Lang is ‘hugely knowledgeable’. Clients include Thyssenkrupp Aerospace UK and Dudley College.

Harrison Clark LLP advised a client with over 500 employees on changing its contracts, and successfully defended a client against a race discrimination claim. Richard Green leads the team.

Helen Mason & Co recently advised a large engineering client on redundancies, and successfully represented Showcase Cinemas in an appeal. Helen Mason is recommended.

Higgs & Sons has a significant presence in the transport, haulage and brewing sectors. Tim Jones’ team represented Marston’s in a race discrimination claim.

Knights solicitors LLP currently acts for two Premiership football clubs and Bet365. Isabel Hancock successfully defended a chain of retail stores in a case alleging sex discrimination and breach of entitlement to request flexible working.

John Merry’s team at Lanyon Bowdler advised Zwanenberg Food and Grocontinental on TUPE issues, as well as representing a number of prominent clients on changes to their executive boards.

Jennifer Jones’ team at Plexus Law (formerly Everatt & Company) is ‘extremely knowledgeable and offers a practical approach’. The team is handling a significant number of equal pay claims for NHS bodies.

Tim Lang’s ‘commercially focused’ team at Weightmans LLP ‘delivers cost-effective, timely solutions’. Jane Hobson inspires ‘confidence in her ability to deliver what clients require’.

Wright Hassall LLP is best known for its contentious employment work, and recently defended a number of clients facing unfair dismissal and discrimination claims. Ian Besant and Suki Harrar are recommended.

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