Firms To Watch: Employment: Hull and East Yorkshire

Barrass Whiting is a new employment specialist firm launched in mid-2022 by experienced duo Nicola Barrass and Lee Whiting; the firm operates from bases in Brough and Hull.

Employment: Hull and East Yorkshire in Yorkshire And The Humber

Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP

Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP acts predominantly for employers. In Hull, practice head Jonathan Dale  has particular expertise within the transport, logistics and manufacturing sectors and is praised for his ability to ‘get to the heart of the issue’. Based in York, Nick Wilson regularly appears as an advocate at Employment Tribunals nationally and the Employment Appeal Tribunal. Areas of expertise include TUPE transfers, large scale redundancies and industrial action. Nick Fraser  is noted for his expertise in pensions law.

Practice head(s):

Jonathan Dale

Other key lawyers:

Nick Wilson; Nick Fraser

Testimonials

‘Having a long standing relationship with Andrew Jackson Solicitors over many years, I would have no hesitation to recommending them to potential clients.’

‘Andrew Jackson provide a very personal service.’

‘Jonathan Dale is excellent. Able to get to the heart of the issue and able to offer sound advice. Tenacious and a sense of humour, which often helps when dealing with tricky cases!’

Work highlights

    Rollits LLP

    The ‘outstanding’ employment team at Rollits LLP is ‘modern and progressive’.  It has experience in contentious tribunal matters with particular expertise in TUPE and the Equality Act as well as unfair dismissal complaints. Practice head Ed Jenneson  is ‘absolutely exceptional’.  Other key practitioners include Edward Heppel, who advises on complex restructurings, and Caroline Neadley , who handles protected disclosures and complex disciplinary and grievances.

    Practice head(s):

    Ed Jenneson

    Other key lawyers:

    Edward Heppel; Caroline Neadley

    Testimonials

    ‘The employment law team at Rollits is outstanding, we rely on their expertise and sound advice.’

    ‘The employment team are unique for a number of reasons including their passion to succeed and deliver a favorable outcome.’

    ‘The team’s strengths are the knowledge, commitment and perseverance which no doubt leaves other firms way behind.’

    ‘The employment team are very capable and advice is always pragmatic. I find Rollits modern and progressive in their approach – I wholeheartedly recommend Rollits’ employment team.’

    ‘The team at Rollits are hugely personable and understanding of specific nuances of each business they work with.’

    ‘We have always found the team to be strategic and collaborative but more important, they never lose focus of the people involved and the targets.’

    ‘Ed Jenneson is absolutely exceptional, the advice and support he has given our company over the many years is invaluable. He provides our company with excellent guidance. We have 100% confidence in the advice he provides, I highly recommend Ed he is a true professional.’

    ‘I have worked closely with Ed Heppel and Caroline Neadley. It’s clear that the Rollits team work well together.’

    Key clients

    William Jackson Food Group Limited (Jackson’s Bakery, MyFresh Prepared Produce Limited, Abel and Cole, Belazu and Wellocks).

    Impact Fork Trucks Limited

    PTSG Access & Safety Limited

    SGS Packaging Europe Limited

    Bishop Burton College

    East Yorkshire Aluminium & Glass Limited

    Thomas of York

    Edwards & Pearce Limited

    Sextant Limited T/A Piglet In Bed Limited

    Hull College Group

    Unique UK Inc t/a Unique Party

    Beverley House Dental Practice Limited

    The Right Car UK Ltd

    543 Dental Centre

    Allenby Commercial

    CDS Energy Limited

    Crescent Homecare Limited

    IMS Group Europe

    The Saville Group

    SM-Cyclo UK Limited

    Starchild Nurseries Limited

    Ulrick & Short

    Vantage Motor Group Limited

    Work highlights

      Bridge Employment Law

      Managing director Lee Stephens leads the team at Bridge Employment Law, which handles the full gamut of employment law issues, from day-to-day advisory to ET defence. It also continues to develop its business immigration offering which is led by Georgina Thomas. Other areas of expertise include advising on re-organisations and investigations.

      Practice head(s):

      Lee Stephens

      Other key lawyers:

      Georgina Thomas

      Testimonials

      ‘They give us confidence to tackle difficult situations which supports effective management of our business.’

      ‘Client care is second to none. The team makes every effort and goes above and beyond to achieve results. That goes for all the team.’

      ‘Bridge team has a very structured and professional approach to any query and be it simply day to day operation where we need some support or a more complex employment discussion, their professionalism remains utmost at the top.’

      ‘Lee Stephens’ knowledge is simply beyond all and once again his approach to any problem and honesty is what makes him stand out here.

      ‘Excellent people all round. The inclusive leadership style promoted by Lee Stephens as MD ensures that all staff display a client centric culture.’

      Bridge McFarland LLP

      Bridge McFarland LLP‘s employment team has strong contentious capabilities, with Benjamin Wells handling a variety of issues in the Employment Tribunal, including negotiating settlements and exit packages. The team is praised for being ‘warm, friendly and welcoming’.

      Other key lawyers:

      Benjamin Wells

      Testimonials

      ‘The practice is warm, friendly and welcoming. Regular update meetings on changes in the law are offered. The practice offers monthly billing for retained legal services.’

      ‘What makes them outstanding is that they immediately grasp the facts and give sound, measured advice whilst offering alternative solutions you may not have thought of.’

      ‘They have supported us wholeheartedly, are proactive and professional.’

      ‘The team are highly responsive, professional, collaborative thoughtful and empathic in their communications.’

      ‘Benjamin Wells provided excellent attention to detail to ensure our needs as his client were fully met.’

      Gosschalks

      Gosschalks advises a wide range of clients, from national PLCs and small businesses to public sector clients including schools and academies. It has a particularly strong foothold in the construction and housebuilding sector, acting for significant companies in the region. Practice head Ted Flanagan ‘has always gone above and beyond to help and assist without compromising quality or standards.’ Associate Nicola Evans handles both contentious and non-contentious mandates.

      Practice head(s):

      Ted Flanagan

      Other key lawyers:

      Nathalie Stewart; Nicola Evans

      Testimonials

      ‘We would highly recommend the practice. We have found them to be exceptional in both providing excellent advice which is then followed through with the required paperwork.’

      ‘Ted Flanagan and Nicola Evans have both provided exceptional advice.’

      ‘The team at Gosschalks are ‘real people’; you have a direct point of contact who deals with all your queries and is a subject matter expert in the area of law required.’

      ‘I appreciate the honesty, integrity and clarity of the Gosschalks team. Their legal knowledge, and their application of this knowledge as it pertains to the business environment is pragmatic and practical in application.’ 

      ‘Friendly, helpful and flexible to the needs of our business when dealing with sensitive timescales. Ted Flanagan has always gone above and beyond to help and assist without compromising quality or standards.’

      ‘Very individual approach tailored to your needs. Always available to help and assist and talk you through any procedure step by step without any criticism.’

      ‘A great focus on providing a service to their customers and not focussed on just doing the job.’

      Work highlights