Employment: Essex in South East

Birkett Long LLP

Birkett Long LLP advises employees, commercial clients and HR consultancies on the whole spectrum of contentious and non-contentious employment matters, with clients describing the team’s work as ‘combining unrivalled legal knowledge with a commercial outlook’. Praised as ‘fantastic to work with’, head of the team Julie Temple in Colchester has a proven track record in successfully representing commercial clients in complex tribunal cases. Helena Oxley and Rianna Billington are also recommended, and involved in the firm’s recent efforts to further strengthen its offering in the education sector. Reggie Lloyd retired in June 2022.

Practice head(s):

Julie Temple


Other key lawyers:

Helena Oxley; Rianna Billington; Charlotte Holman


Testimonials

‘Julie Temple is very helpful. She manages not only our HR side but also helps put us in touch with the right people for any other legal matters.’

‘Friendly and professional team. Outstanding service with excellent levels of communication maintained.’

‘Approachable, understands the needs of our business. Willing to go the extra mile to provide appropriate advice.’

Birketts LLP

Birketts LLP‘s employment department is well regarded for expert advice on contentious, non-contentious, advisory, and corporate transactional employment work, and is known for its ‘high-level client care.‘ Clare Barlow leads the team in Chelmsford, and is sought out by national and international clients from a range of sectors, including financial services, insurance, private equity and technology industries. Jonathan Insley is experienced in handling complex disputes, and is very active in the transport and hospitality industries. Nicholas West is an expert in the employment aspects of corporate transactional work, while Abigail Hubert‘s recent work includes a number of complex employee ownership trust matters.

Practice head(s):

Clare Barlow


Other key lawyers:

Abigail Hubert; Jonathan Insley; Nicholas West


Testimonials

‘Our firm has been working with Birketts employment department for several years now. Our clients are in times in need of UK employment advice, and they have stood out as being a very reliable partner. They are always very responsive to any request we have had for the UK. Always willing to assist and providing excellent advice in the agreed upon timeline.’

‘We can always count on the team (more specifically Clare Barlow who is our first point of contact, Abigail Hubert and Nicholas West). They are very responsive, and keep their promises on when they will be able to deliver the work.’

‘They get to understand the organisation well so they can offer the right level of support and advice. They genuinely care about what happens and make the time for you as a client to support and reassure the business.’

‘Practical, commercial advice. Pragmatic and simple to understand.’

‘Abigail Hubert is a very trusted adviser, who is always willing to go above and beyond in providing exceptional customer service. She always provides prompt advice which is sensible and very pragmatic.’

‘Personal attention together with down to earth advice.’

‘They are exceptional. All the solicitors that I work with are very organised, the cases are very well prepared, and they give excellent legal advice to their clients. Each of the team members that I work with provide very high-level client care. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend any of them.’

‘Nicholas West is a brilliant lawyer. He has a very calm and reassuring manner. He offers his clients a brilliant service. He is meticulously well prepared, and stays calm even in highly pressurised situations.’

Key clients

Atalian Servest Limited


Anderson Group


Beresford Group Limited


Brady Technologies Limited


Chelmer Housing Partnership Limited


CNH Industrial N.V.


Colchester United Football Club Limited


Databricks UK Limited


FedEx Cross Border (UK) Limited


Hanover Investors Management LLP


Havens Hospices


Jablite Limited


Kalibrate Technologies Plc


Manchester Underwriting Owners


Midland Chilled Foods Limited


Milsom Hotels Limited


Readie Construction Limited


Redpath Deilmann GmbH


Total Protection (Management Services) Limited


VVB Engineering (UK) Limited


Absolute Post Limited


Aspire Media Group Limited


Aston Barclay Limited


Autoprotect (MBI) Ltd


Autotest Limited


Briddge Legal and Finance, The Netherlands


Brentwood Borough Council


Commodity Centre Limited


Custom Security Solutions Ltd


DD Products and Services Ltd


Direct Commercial Limited


ECM Selection (Holdings) Limited


Elemental Microanalysis Ltd


Flagstone Financial Management Ltd


Fullers (Builders) Limited


Frederick J French (Contracts) Limited


Granarolo SpA


Granarolo (UK) Limited


Harris Holdings (Grays) Limited


HBB Communications Limited


Iveco Retail Limited


JJ Sweeney Limited


J Reddington Ltd


Lemon Groundwork Solutions Ltd


Matterlab Ltd


Metas Group


M.W. Beer & Co. Limited


Paris Partnership


Seetec Business Technology Centre Limited


Strengths Unleashed Limited


Swift Scaffolding Limited


Woodlands Schools Limited


W.P.T. Support Services Limited


YFM Private Equity Limited


Thompson Smith and Puxon

Focusing on a commercial offering, Thompson Smith and Puxon’s employment department is equipped to handle the full array of employment matters, and works closely with the firm's corporate department on the employment aspects of transactional work. Colchester-based Jolyon Berry leads the team, and is described by clients as ‘someone you want to have on your side’; he is assisted by Grace Smyth. With High Court experience, Sam Welham‘s areas of work include issues arising from psychiatric injuries caused by work-related stress, disability discrimination claims and whistleblowing mandates.

Practice head(s):

Jolyon Berry


Other key lawyers:

Grace Smyth; Sam Welham


Testimonials

‘The team is approachable, responsive and provides clear, succinct advice whenever required.’

‘Jolyon Berry offers straightforward, commercial advice and reassurance – someone you want to have on your side.’

Pinney Talfourd LLP

With offices in Essex and Canary Wharf, Pinney Talfourd LLP has a strong presence in the South East, and the ability to collaborate with the firm's different teams, especially the commercial litigation unit, strengthens the employment department’s offering to both employer and employee clients. Group head and employment litigation expert Alexander Pearce in Hornchurch is known for his ‘extensive knowledge’, and has a track record in handling complex workplace disputes; his wide practice also includes matters related to unfair dismissal, equal pay, discrimination and unlawful deductions of wages.

Practice head(s):

Alexander Pearce


Testimonials

‘Pinney Talfourd regularly represents employees and employers in big-ticket employment litigation, and isn’t afraid to fight the cases that need fighting.’

‘Alex Pearce brings a relaxed, assured, and commercially focused approach to all of his cases. He is incredibly easy to work with, and inspires confidence in his clients.’

‘Very efficient, respond to queries quickly, keep you updated on progress.’

‘The people are a pleasure to work with. There’s an extensive depth of knowledge and they are both personal but clear in the delivery of practical solutions.’

‘Professionalism, pragmatism and clarity.’

‘I’ve dealt with Pinney Talfourd for years, my main point of contact has always been Alex Pearce, who specialises in employment law. His knowledge is extensive and he is always able to offer solutions to whatever problem he is presented with.’

‘Alex Pearce – this gentleman is outstanding, an asset to the company and his colleagues. His knowledge is excellent, and his approach and solutions are professional and ensures as his client we understand every step of any process and are without doubt supported throughout. I cannot recommend him enough.’

‘They have the ability to get to grips with the case quickly and provide straightforward and practical advice.’

Key clients

Millennium Minis Limited


Cycling Score Limited


NTS Premier Services Limited


Vision Personnel Ltd


A. Whalebone Building Supplies Limited


Howe Chartered Surveyors


Newton Equipment Limited


Active Travel Partners Ltd


EBM Managed Services Limited


Active Products Limited


Havering Signing for the Brain 2020


Quality Care Resourcing


Concept Interiors Limited


Work highlights


  • Defending a client against complaints for constructive dismissal, unlawful deduction of wages and breach of contract.
  • Obtaining a highly favourable deposit orders for a respondent client in long-running employment dispute.

Tees Law

Tees Law’s employment department in Bishop’s Stortford and Chelmsford has a particularly strong presence in the logistics and transport sector, with its work in the aviation industry a standout feature of the team. Practice head Robert Whitaker‘s recognised capabilities include advising on data protection, TUPE and agricultural work and the employment elements of restructuring. The ‘excellent and determinedKatherine Jameson is equipped to handle the full array of employment matters, and is especially recommended for restrictive covenants issues, exit strategies, and settlement terms.

Practice head(s):

Robert Whitaker


Other key lawyers:

Katherine Jameson


Testimonials

‘Personal service. Feels like a boutique firm, with brilliant personal service to clients.’

‘Rob Whitaker is a brilliant partner, dedicated to getting the best possible result for his clients.’

‘Katherine Jameson – excellent and determined. Very hard-working.’

‘Knowledge of law and procedures is top class.’

‘Personality, empathy, knowledge and experience.’

Key clients

English Heritage


Containerlift Services Limited


Kidney Cancer UK


Work highlights


  • Challenging a national association’s decision to provisionally suspend an examiner’s certification following alleged reporting of disputed irregularities.
  • Advising an employer on an Employment Tribunal claim for unfair dismissal and alleged whistleblowing.
  • Advised a client in relation to the breach of two agreements, an equity agreement and a contract of employment, raising claims for breach of contract and estoppel with a potential value in excess of £3m.

Palmers

Led by litigation expert Luke Morgan, Palmers' employment department in Basildon advises employee and employer clients on a panoply of employment and HR mandates. The team works closely with the firm’s commercial litigation department, and its areas of expertise include handling shareholder disputes and settlement negotiations. Samantha Randall advises on contentious and non-contentious matters, such as tribunal litigation, workplace disputes and termination of employment issues.

Practice head(s):

Luke Morgan


Other key lawyers:

Samantha Randall


Testimonials

‘They were responsive and helpful, their advice was good.’

‘Samantha Randall is responsive and helpful.’

‘The Team at Palmers are amazing, they are always very helpful and professional, give great straight forward advice without the faff and the legal words that no one understands. They always meet my expectations of delivery and professionalism. Palmers makes it easy to work with them.’

Key clients

Bow School


Cartamundi (UK) Limited


Barleylands Glasswork Ltd t/a Ashes Into Glass


Spectrum Vehicle Repairers LLP


Spoor-tech


Bishop School


Berkeley Square Associates


IAA Vehicle Services Ltd


Challenger Solutions Ltd


AVL Powertrain UK Limited


Evolution Demolition Service Limited


Institute of Tourist Guiding


R T Rate Limited


Rawley Plant Limited


Adkin Bookkeeping


Paul Robinson Solicitors LLP

Sought out by clients in the education, automotive, logistics and retail sectors, Paul Robinson Solicitors LLP‘s employment team's work covers the entire South West region from its base in Westcliff. Group head and commercial expert Fiona Colwell has expertise in settlement agreements, and is also well versed in TUPE matters, as well as drafting documentation, such as staff handbooks, contracts for consultants and ancillary documentation.

Practice head(s):

Fiona Colwell