The ‘responsive and proactive‘ team at Birketts LLP regularly assists clients with a multitude of immigration matters, including sponsor licensing, Expansion Worker visas, Skilled Worker routes, and Global Talent visas. The firm has particular expertise in the faith, media, shipping and agricultural sectors, and also frequently advises corporate clients on the prevention of illegal working. The practice is led by Sacha Wooldridge, described as ‘very helpful and responsive‘, who is based in London and regularly operates out of the firm’s Norwich, Ipswich, Chelmsford and Kent offices. Wooldridge assists businesses and HNW individuals with employee visa applications, immigration compliance and global mobility strategies. Janice Leggett has retired to a consulting position with the firm.
Immigration in South East
Birketts LLP
Practice head(s):
Sacha Wooldridge
Other key lawyers:
Janice Leggett
Testimonials
‘Sacha Wooldridge has outstanding knowledge of sponsored worker immigration routes and has an easy manner that encourages complete confidence from her clients.’
‘Very responsive and proactive. They take a holistic approach and are willing to help on matters not directly linked to immigration.’
‘I have worked with Sacha Wooldridge. She is very helpful and responsive with a positive attitude open to explore all options.’
‘Excellent skill and experience on immigration status.’
‘I hugely appreciate Sacha Wooldridge for her skill and excellent experience in the immigration matters ’
Key clients
Ofcom
Advertising Producers Association
Work highlights
- Secured the UK’s first ever expansion worker visa by the Home Office progression to secure A-rating for licence, add Skilled Worker capability and provide long term sponsorship capability in the UK for Bobbies.
- Providing ongoing support to a Premier League football club with adhoc immigration advice in relation to players, from juniors and development squad to first team, and club staff including temporary player loans.
Clarkslegal LLP
Assisting a roster of multinational companies, Clarkslegal LLP has in-depth experience across the scope of business immigration, including securing employer sponsorship licences and employee visas, litigating enforcement notices and illegal working penalties. Another key area of experience is securing Global Business Mobility, UK Expansion Worker visas, and recruitment and transfer of senior employees. Monica Atwal leads the team out of Reading and specialises in global transfers, particularly at director level. The ‘very knowledgeable‘ Rebecca Hone, based across Reading and London, is regarded for her client relationships with global corporations as well as advising HNW individuals on visas and acquiring settlement.
Practice head(s):
Monica Atwal
Other key lawyers:
Rebecca Hone
Testimonials
‘Having dealt with large global organisations for support on immigration matters, I was very impressed by Clarkslegal’s team. The team is knowledgeable on the topics and related legislation, is responsive, collaborative, and more than capable of advising us on our specific immigration needs. The advice given to us and the support to our employees by Clarkslegal was superb.’
‘We worked with Rebecca Hone from the Clarkslegal team. It was an absolute pleasure working with them. Rebecca is very knowledgeable, submits detailed and relevant feedback, and is responsive to us as the client, as well as our employees who require her support. Rebecca and the team are very approachable, and their advice, service delivery, and response times have been superior to some of the larger consulting firms.’
Key clients
Jardine Motors Group UK Limited
Tetra Tech Inc
Mishipay Ltd
Work highlights
- Providing a full range of corporate immigration support to a US-headquartered global network company with international business operations, including advising on its role as sponsor and managing the recruitment of non-British or non-settled nationals.
- Acted for a disruptive technology business in the renewables sector with operations in the UK and Germany in successfully obtaining a licence as a skilled worker sponsor and continue to assist with its sponsorship of leading scientists internationally.
- Working with a client with operations in the UK and India to link the Indian entity to its licence so that it can more easily transfer staff between international offices and assisting with international recruitments.
Duncan Lewis Solicitors
Duncan Lewis Solicitors fields a ‘uniformly proactive, highly committed‘ immigration team, operating from offices across Harrow, Luton, London and Milton Keynes. The team has expertise across claimant-side judicial review, with a particular focus on challenging human rights breaches in deportation cases, as well as operating a significant practice in asylum, protection cases, modern slavery matters, and unlawful detention claims. The practice has a robust leadership team encompassing Toufique Hossain, a prominent immigration litigator, along with Vilash Gami, Rohena Wallace, and Gemma Lynch, who has extensive experience in representing unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, Bahar Ata, who has a niche practice in immigration and human rights related judicial review claimant matters, and Pardeep Somel, who boasts nearly two decades of experience advising asylum seekers, torture victims, trafficking and detention challenges.
Practice head(s):
Bahar Ata; Gemma Lynch; Rohena Wallace; Vilash Gami; Toufique Hossain; Pardeep Somel
Other key lawyers:
Jeremy Bloom; Jamie Bell; Lewis Kett; Shalini Patel
Testimonials
‘I worked with the public law team on the Rwanda litigation, undoubtedly the most pressurised case I have been involved in. The Duncan Lewis team, like the counsel team, had to work at absurd speed under the most intense pressure, often requiring work through the night. It was an extraordinary privilege to work with a team that showed such ceaseless commitment and adherence to the highest standards despite the almost impossible conditions under which we all had to work.’
‘The immigration practice at Duncan Lewis is huge and covers the full range of immigration work. Particularly notable are its strategic challenges and its work for those in immigration detention. In relation to its strategic litigation, there are a number of solicitors who are really engaged in finding ways to stop the Home Office from implementing policies which are potentially harmful to a large number of people.’
‘The team is uniformly proactive, highly committed, and works under a very strong leadership.’
‘The team has vast experience borne of a very high caseload The team works very efficiently and uses its resources well.’
‘Bahar Ata is a top-quality lawyer, excellent manager, eyes on everything.’
‘The team stands head and shoulders above the competition on any matters relating to human trafficking. They have deep procedural knowledge, and great contacts with NGOs and support workers, that allows them to take on complex pieces of strategic litigation and achieve great results for clients.’
‘Toufique Hossain is a dynamic leader within DL who, together with his team, has been involved in a wide range of important test cases.’
Key clients
The Rwanda Supreme Court Litigation
Landmark Public Inquiry into abuse at Brook House Immigration removal centre
Harmondsworth Evacuation
CT and VT – Supreme Court of the British Indian Ocean Territory
AS & RD
Bam Bahadur Gurung and Others
Beety Habte
COH
JSI
IPC
FN
Work highlights
- Representing six of the lead Claimants in the Rwanda Supreme Court litigation where the Home Secretary’s appeal was dismissed, and the Court of Appeal’s conclusion that the Rwanda policy is unlawful upheld.
- Representing six people who were formerly detained at Brook House and Reverend Nathan Ward, a whistle-blower who worked at Brook House and helped bring the mistreatment to light. The Chair of the Brook House Inquiry published her report, which uncovers instances of racism, abuse and inhuman and degrading treatment of detainees.
Stevens & Bolton LLP
The Guildford-based practice at Stevens & Bolton LLP has extensive experience in business immigration, particularly skilled worker, senior or specialist worker applications, as well as acting in personal immigration on spousal and student applications. The firm also acts as Level 1 Users for a number of clients and regularly advises on sponsorship routes, as well as carrying out sponsor licence audits and sponsorship issues following corporate restructures and any related compliance matters. Kerry Garcia leads the employment, immigration and pensions practice and managing associate Jackie Penlington offers ‘extensive knowledge’ across UK immigration matters, predominantly acting in relation to sponsor licence applications.
Practice head(s):
Kerry Garcia
Other key lawyers:
Jackie Penlington
Testimonials
‘In relation to immigration, the team have always been helpful, arranging meetings and picking urgent matters up promptly and jumping in to help in Jackie’s absence.’
‘I have mainly worked with Jackie Penlington. Key projects include setting up a new Sponsorship License following the sale of our company and several Skilled Worker Visa applications. She has offered extensive knowledge in the field and continues to give valuable advice but has also helped us learn and manage more and more of the process internally. ’
‘The team at Stevens & Bolton are always helpful, always go out of their way to assist, in whatever query you may have. ’
‘Jackie Penlington and the team were wonderful advocates for my immigration case. This is the second time I have invested my time, trust, and money with S&B and was not disappointed. The team was excellent at communicating, while always keeping me abreast of upcoming needs or actions. Junior colleagues were introduced to the team which was welcoming to see this time around.’
‘Jackie Penlington is kind, patient and helpful. Her level of care in her work is high, which allows for a high degree of comfort to be felt. She was very accommodating and flexible, and always willing to answer any questions raised. I valued her time, energy and care she put into my case, and will forever be grateful.’
‘Stevens & Bolton has made work and navigating legal requirements for our UK-based entity easy. They are easy to work with, clear about expectations and tasks, and straightforward (and proactive) so there are no surprises.’
‘The individuals are well-versed in legal requirements and very easy to work with.’
Key clients
Accord Healthcare Ltd
Asahi UK Ltd and Asahi Europe & International Ltd
BMI Group Holdings UK Ltd and BMI Group UK Ltd
Codestone Solutions Ltd
Graduate Landscapes Ltd
Nintendo UK
Papa John’s (GB) Ltd and PJ Corp Stores Ltd
Quantum Motion Technologies Ltd
RBB Economics LLP
Sony/ATV Music Publishing (UK) Ltd
Work highlights
- Advising an international QSR franchise giant on its UK immigration matters and acting as Level 1 Users on its sponsor licences, including advising on the immigration aspects arising from a TUPE transfer of sponsored employees who transferred from franchisee companies to corporate-owned stores.
- Advising Sony in relation to its UK immigration matters, including supporting with a Skilled Worker application for an existing employee switching from the graduate route and an application for a US employee relocating to the UK.
- Advising Asahi UK Ltd and Asahi Europe & International Ltd on all of their UK immigration matters and acting as Level 1 Users on both sponsor licences.
Turpin & Miller LLP
Described as ‘experienced, thorough and professional‘, the team at Turpin & Miller LLP is adept at dealing with a range of skilled and business migration work and has developed a strong reputation for its asylum work, as well as legal aid. The firm has particular expertise across a range of sectors with a focus on education, with the University of Oxford as a key client, as well as care work, construction, and charities. The practice is led by Tom Giles, regarded for his experience representing detained clients, along with Jo Renshaw and Philip Turpin, who have multiple decades of expertise across business immigration, family and human rights work. Alex Piletska is noted for her broad practice with particular success in adult dependent relatives matters. The team is based in Oxford.
Practice head(s):
Philip Turpin; Tom Giles; Jo Renshaw
Other key lawyers:
Alex Piletska; Eliana Barrera; Mike Poulter
Testimonials
‘I wanted to express my sincere appreciation for the outstanding efforts, dedication, expertise and tireless work that my solicitor, Jo Renshaw, made throughout the whole immigration case of my mother.’
‘Positive outcome would not have been possible without the hard work of my solicitor Jo Renshaw. Thank you for your hard work and invaluable contribution.’
‘One of the top, if not the top, immigration firm outside of London.’
Work highlights
- Continuing to provide immigration advice and assistance in relation to sponsorship, student visa issues, staff visa issues, the Global Talent visa route, Graduate visa route, and compliance for the University of Oxford.
- Assisted Jimmy Choo Academy to obtain a student sponsor licence and continue to advise and assist with student visas, sponsorship and compliance.
- Aided Give Directly, a growing non-profit, to obtain and maintain a sponsor licence.
DMH Stallard LLP
The team at DMH Stallard LLP advises on both business and personal immigration, with a focus on sponsor licencing support services for employers, as well as providing support to EU-based service providers with transfers to the UK. The Guildford-based practice is led by Adam Williams, who is regarded for his business immigration practice, assisting employers with all manner of visa sponsorship issues. Based in London, Alexei Zuyev is well regarded for his experience advising both corporate and private clients on UK immigration.
Practice head(s):
Adam Williams
Other key lawyers:
Alexei Zuyev
Testimonials
‘Adam Williams has developed strong rapport and high-level engagement with his key stakeholders over the years and is a trusted collaborator.’
‘We have worked with Adam Williams. We have found him to be extremely helpful and quick to offer practical and appropriate solutions to our queries. We view him as a trusted advisor to our business for employment and sponsorship matters.’
‘Really responsive, solid practical advice.’
‘Adam was highly responsive, clear and practical. He gave really robust yet commercial advice.’
‘The team are incredibly clear, communicative, supportive and expert.’
‘The team is exceptionally responsive and clear in their communication. Very professional and willing to assist throughout our interactions. A very collaborative approach and adaptability on a variety of issues we present.’
‘Adam Williams and Alexei Zuyev have been exceptionally helpful with any support we need concerning immigration advice and matters related to our sponsored employees. Their expertise has significantly simplified the process of managing our sponsored employees making it a more seamless experience.’
‘Their support has been instrumental in navigating complex areas.’
Key clients
Stephenson Harwood
Trafalgar Entertainment Limited
Lactalis McLelland Limited
Menzies LLP
Sonder
Trevanna London
Fairvue Partners
Fashion GPS/ Launchmetrics
MW IT Services Ltd
EyeLink Media Limited
Irina Lugovskaya
Alessio Cocozza
Ryan Kelly-Reno
Tushar Patel
Wateraid
Markerstudy
Work highlights
- Acting as an extension of Menzies LLP’s HR and talent acquisition teams, providing support to act as the equivalent of in-house counsel, assisting with its expanding recruitment of migrant workers to fill key positions within the organisation.
- Providing immigration and right to work check support to Trafalgar Entertainment Limited, a group of companies incorporating: theatre, cinema, ticketing, production and teaching divisions.
- Advised Australia HQ of Sonder on its expansion into the UK market, providing strategic guidance to general counsel on the overall approach and timeline, and then successfully implementing the process for moving people to the UK.
Herrington Carmichael LLP
Herrington Carmichael LLP fields an experienced team that handles SMS reporting, skilled worker, business visitor, ICT and family visas, as well as sponsor licence applications. Usof Shah is a key name to note for his immigration experience, advising both corporate and private clients.
Other key lawyers:
Usof Shah
Testimonials
‘I have always found the team to be very responsive in any query posed to them. They take the time to listen and understand any issues. They are very customer service focused, professional and a pleasure to work with.’
‘I have worked with Usof Shah for a number of years within Immigration services. Usof is always willing to explain processes clearly and takes time to make sure I understand what I need to do. He is very clear in explaining what work needs to be carried out from him and his team and always provides costing upfront so there are no surprises.’
‘Herrington Carmichael has a great team providing a broad spectrum of immigration services.’
Work highlights
Knights
Knights displays familiarity advising businesses on sponsor licencing and entry clearance for executives, as well as private clients on visa applications, particularly regarding visa refusals, human rights applications and adverse immigration history. The team has specific experience in the technology, sports, retail, construction and hospitality sectors and works closely with other teams across the firm. Richard Devall leads the practice based in Reading.
Practice head(s):
Richard Devall
Other key lawyers:
Jasmin Dhillon; Samia Yaqub
Testimonials
‘Approachable team, knowledgeable on immigration matters.’
‘Richard Devall is a good team leader and provides sounds immigration advice which is commercially focused.’
‘The team is superb, and perfectly coordinated like clockwork.’
Key clients
Ballistic MoonAvata UK Limited
Link Theory (UK) LtdBallistic Moon
Give Back Yoga FoundationLink Theory (UK) Ltd
Give Back Yoga Foundation
Work highlights
- Advised Avata UK on the issues and ramifications involving the lapse of a sponsor licence amidst parallel issues, including the recent acquisition of the client, a TUPE transfer, steps taken by the new company to transfer the sponsorship of a worker sponsored by the client, and preparatory steps taken by that worker to apply for ILR.
- Instructed by Ballistic Moon to apply to switch an individual employed by a different sponsor into the employ of our client and advise on the relevant SMS notifications which would need to be completed.