Employment in Northern Ireland

‘The legal practice and particularly the employment team have a very good understanding of our business and how they can support us. They understand our people strategy and policies and provide effective advice that helps our company remain compliant and agile in dealing with people-related challenges.’

‘The team members all have strengths in different areas (including immigration, contracts, redundancy, organisational design/restructuring) and this helps us to tap into the right team members as required.’

‘Proactive Belfast office of an all-island law firm. Young, energetic, engaged team.’

‘Advice was given in a timely manner, and the entire exercise taken through to successful completion.’

‘The fact that they have a team north and south of the border makes them unique for complex Brexit and regulatory regime matters.’

‘Gareth Walls is always responsive and provides us with clear and firm advice.’

‘Aisling Byrne is a very proactive and responsive lawyer with a commanding knowledge of employment law matters. She is a reassuring sounding board for any employment-related issue.’

‘There is a true understanding of our business and strategic goals, and they operate more as a valued and central partner to our in-house legal team rather than simply an external adviser.’

‘Emma-Jane Flannery has not simply been an excellent employment law adviser, but also an outstanding partner for the business. She has a deep understanding of our strategic goals, with an easy and pragmatic manner that facilitates the right environment for decision-making, particularly when navigating contentious matters.’

‘Johanna Cunningham has provided invaluable support in relation to Covid-related issues, including regular updates on government reliefs and schemes.’

‘Arthur Cox is a firm that can offer the complete legal service.’

‘I have worked with Rosemary Lundy for many years and she provides an excellent legal service. Her advice has always been on the mark and I would have no problem recommending Rosemary for any employment matter.’

‘Strong knowledge of our business needs. Practical, focused and very commercial approach to our legal challenges – more so than many other firms that we deal with. ’

‘Emma-Jane Flannery’s work with us has been excellent. She is considered a trusted adviser and her views are highly valued.’

‘Carson McDowell’s employment law team offered a number of helpful free seminars during the pandemic. The employment law team is extremely professional and commercially astute and they focus on the best outcome for clients. They go the extra mile and are a very safe pair of hands.’

‘Rachel Penny and her team are swift negotiators and offer intelligent, pragmatic and concise advice. Rachel herself is an outstanding lawyer to work with. I would recommend Rachel Penny and her team without hesitation.’

‘Carson McDowell has been a valuable source of expert professional advice on a number of complex employee relations issues. They have responded quickly to any queries, even outside of normal business hours, and have attended meetings at short notice when requested.’

‘Orlagh O’Neill continues to provide us with a pragmatic approach to navigating complex employee relations issues. Orlagh understands our organisation, which saves time in arriving at the most appropriate solution for us.’

‘They are very professional and strong technically. I find their can-do attitude to be excellent – it makes a change from the sit-on-the-fence approach, that other employment practices use.’

‘An unparalleled blend of knowledge, expertise and skill, combined with an uncommon sense of pragmatism, in a team that is wonderful to work with and a pleasure to do business with. Nothing that we have thrown at them has fazed them in any way and the level of service has always been exceptional.’

‘Rachel Penny is in a league of her own; indeed others aren’t even playing in the same game. Her knowledge of the law, combined with a sense of understanding of the needs of the client, wrapped up in a personality that is joyous to work with, makes the usual drudge of employment relations and litigation much more of a pleasant experience.’

‘Sarah Cochrane’s ability to stay abreast of the ever-changing legislation and guidance around the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme has made our lives considerably easier over the last year. No question was too large or too small and her expertise was always expertly delivered with a smile to go with it.’

‘Experts in relation to employment law, particularly discrimination and equality issues. Regardless of which colleague you speak to, the advice is practical, trusted and delivered professionally and in a timely manner.’

‘Fiona Cassidy is one of the most intelligent, professional and pleasant experts I have ever had the pleasure of dealing with. Her deep knowledge, practical considerations and approachable manner make her stand out from others in her field.’

‘Technically excellent and commercially aware.’

‘Ciara Fulton provided an excellent level of service, explained our options clearly and helped guide us in difficult negotiations.’

‘They care! This trait is what makes them stand out from the other law firms – they truly care about their clients and about concerns we might have.’

‘Winning a case is a team effort. They collaborate with colleagues and partners in their firm, as well as liaising with other external partners. They foster close professional relationships with us as a client and will often have high-profile cases alongside those of a smaller business like ours, but they have the agility to make the smaller business feel as valued as the larger. They harness a strong value of trust, which is important for us, and all their legal representatives are personable, persuasive and polite.’

‘Very professional and knowledgeable in the subject areas.’

‘Anna Beggan is personable and easy to work with.’

‘The individuals I’ve interacted with within this practice very much have a can do attitude and have gone out of their way to assist in identifying, and fighting for, the right solution for us as a business. Their focus is on timely problem resolution, rather than ongoing engagement and enhancement of billing hours, as is the case with some other practices I’ve worked with previously.’

‘The attention to detail, knowledge base, partner availability (at all times of the day and evening) and determination to act in the best interests of their clients clearly uniquely identifies the individuals I’ve dealt with at Tughans as standouts. In particular, Anna Beggan expressed such qualities during my interaction with her.’

‘The team are responsive and always willing to give advice tailored to our business needs.’

‘The employment team is corporate and sophisticated, and usefully part of a larger organisation which works with business and industry.’

‘Anna Began is a safe pair of hands. A busy in-house lawyer can be confident that Anna will take on and run a process and provide sound advice to assist with decision making. Good experience and knowledge of the market means that Anna can provide a well tuned-in opinion.’

‘The employment team is very professional and comes with a real heavyweight reputation, yet the team are all very approachable and great to work with.’

‘We have received excellent legal advice relating to employment law. The staff are very approachable, knowledgeable and extremely professional. Many of our staff have attended training provided on a variety of employment issues and have found the training excellently presented and very informative.’

‘I would particularly like to mention Michael Black. He has guided us through tribunal hearings and employment disputes and helped with a variety of HR queries. His advice is always excellent. Emails are replied to promptly, often out of business hours. He is very professional and has also made our staff feel welcome at training events.’

‘The support and guidance given by the employment practice to our organisation has been exceptional. The extremely difficult and sensitive challenges the board has faced could not have been resolved without the help of Michael Black and his team.’

‘Apart from excellent support through some difficult employment issues, the team also run very helpful, innovative lunchtime briefing sessions for local businesses on a variety of hot topics relating to employment issues, including updates on legislation and how this impacts in practice.’

‘Michael Black takes the time to fully understand each situation and give great clarity on potential issues from both the employer and employee perspective, providing both a ‘letter of the law’ view and also a common-sense approach to understanding possible personnel attitudes and potential outcomes. His advice has rarely failed to hit the mark and has been invaluable on many occasions.’

‘CFR has a strong multi-jurisdictional team allowing them to act as a one-stop shop for any employment law enquiry. Their retainer billing system allows for peace of mind in terms of cost and transparency.’

‘Michael Black is an excellent advocate who presents a calm assurance when dealing with contentious circumstances. He always considers the commercial implications for clients when navigating the legal matters under dispute.’

‘Nathan Campbell assisted us with defining our employment contracts and policies relating to employment law. He has first-class knowledge of employment law and is also very responsive.’

‘An excellent employment team but with the benefit of a wider and larger commercial firm behind it.’

‘Lisa Bryson is astute, commercial and has unrivalled knowledge of the law.’

‘I have during Covid needed advice and counsel on a number of issues, most without precedent. Millar McCall Wylie have always been reliable and provided timely advice.’

‘David Mitchell has gone beyond what could be reasonably expected in delivering. I value both his advice and support.’

‘They are an exceptional and approachable team who make themselves available at short notice when required. They take a practical approach to problems, and clearly outline any risks or issues that may arise. They are always very knowledgeable.’

‘Jan Cunningham is measured, calm and diligent, and this comes across in any matter he assists with. His engagement with his clients is exceptional.’

‘My experience of working with MMW was a very positive one. The approach to the issue was clear and concise but also friendly and approachable. The advice I received meant that the case was dealt with quickly and with no issues. ’

‘From the moment I met Jan Cunningham virtually I knew I was in good hands. His calm and clear demeanour meant I felt 100% comfortable with all communication and the advice. I would not hesitate to use Jan again for all and any legal employment requirements.’

‘Although a large practice, the employment team at MMW offers a service that feels personal and intimate. I always know that whomever I speak to, they will demonstrate empathy and understanding of the situation, and provide advice and guidance that takes into account both legal and practical considerations in a timely manner.’

‘I work in the main with Jan Cunningham. Jan’s knowledge of our industry is outstanding, and his ability to provide legally sound advice that will work for us in practice is really second to none. He often goes above and beyond, providing an excellent service, always going that extra mile for us. Over the ten years I have worked with Jan he has built a very productive working relationship.’