‘The key strength of the team is the leadership: Shakeel Dad is an exceptional partner who I have worked with for many years. The strength and depth of the team in terms of expertise is also excellent. Over the last year we have needed support on a variety of matters from immigration through to TUPE and complex ER cases, and the standard of service is always second-to-none.’

‘Shakeel Dad is a pragmatic lawyer and he is able to distil down information very easily and in an understandable and logical way.’

‘The team at Addleshaw Goddard give us legal support that we are able to apply on a practical level. They are approachable and have been very quick to understand our business and culture. When required, we have been able to reach out to their colleagues on other matters such as tax, immigration, and investigations.’

‘Very responsive. We get pragmatic, robust and not risk averse advice. Transparent and communicative on fees.’

‘The people in the practice are professional and knowledgeable in their field. They go out of their way to make you feel welcome and will work with you to come up with viable solutions and share best practice that we can use more than once. They make it a priority to understand our business, so they can relate to the challenges.’

‘Rebecca Kitson is an expert in employment law and also understands our business. She offers excellent advice which is easy to understand. Rebecca is a true business partner and a pleasure to work with.’

‘Rebecca Kitson is the partner responsible for the employment law team, and she ensures that they provide a customer-focused, practical and ‘real world’ advice on employment-related issues.’

‘Rebecca Kitson is a very knowledgeable and pragmatic employment lawyer. Her approach is always to look for a swift solution, and she makes matters easy to deal with, rather than seeking to score points unnecessarily.‘

‘The team at DLA Piper are outstanding. They handle an enormous workload with ease and have extremely impressive attention to detail.’

‘Jane Hannon is calm, responsive and collaborative. Jane leads an extremely complex litigation and settlement work-stream of significant importance to UK businesses, whilst also connecting us with her team outside of the UK on related matters.’

‘Paul Cotton is my go-to counsel when I need an attorney in the UK, EU, or Asia.’

‘The Eversheds Sutherland Employment team at Leeds standout as a practice which puts the client firmly at the heart of what they do. They have a really stable, experienced team who make it their business to get to know their client’s particular circumstances and needs so any advice is always given in context.’

‘The professionalism of the the entire Eversheds Sutherland employment team means that whoever my team engages with, they can be sure of excellent service and advice. Specifically, I have worked closely with Simon Rice-Birchall over many years and his knowledge, experience, and commerciality make him a stand-out performer.’

‘Louise Lightfoot is the main point of contact in my current organisation and her breadth of knowledge and experience as well as her depth of understanding of our business means she can always be relied upon to provide sound, commercial and pragmatic advice.‘

‘Their uniqueness comes down to a commercial and practical understanding of our business. Not just advising on the law but also strategy and how to navigate situations with a best for business outcome.’

‘There is an understanding that our business is far from 9-5 and a clear willingness to act as though they are one of our own employees and see difficult matters through to a conclusion no matter the commitment required.’

‘The team has a valuable and friendly approach towards the client and proves willing and available to listen to the client’s needs and expectations in order to try to support them. The ease with which they can be reached is valuable.’

‘In general terms, the ease with which they can be reached and the team’s positive attitude towards the client and its needs are above standard.‘

‘Excellent and pragmatic employment advice. Personable lawyers who understand their clients businesses and those they interact with.‘

‘Matthew Lewis is an excellent employment lawyer. He is pragmatic, knowledgeable and prepared to give a commercial view. He understands the uniqueness of our business and the sector.‘

‘Always felt that they are an extension of our in-house legal and HR teams. Genuinely care about our business and able to deliver pragmatic but also technical advice on tap.’

‘Particular mention is given to Andrew Stones who just understands his clients’ businesses. He is always available at short notice to provide no-nonsense advice in a time sensitive manner that is balanced and fair. He is extremely approachable and easily navigates his way through complex and challenging scenarios.‘

‘A knowledgeable team who provide practical advice and guidance. They work with you to find solutions and support you with options.‘

‘They offer a very good mix of making us know we are a valued client and also having a breadth of services on offer. It has been refreshing to work with the team who always look to be innovative in their approach and champion diversity across their team and the industry.’

‘We absolutely adore working with Lucy Gordon. To sum it up simply, she gets us. She really understands what makes us tick as a business and has a great rapport with many of our employees. We really like the way Lucy applies the relevant employment law but with a very commercial interpretation alongside.’

‘The employment team have a wide range of skills and experience in all areas of employment disputes and an enviable client base. The cases are always very thoroughly investigated at an early stage to keep costs in check. The team ensure that all paperwork is immaculately presented and user friendly.’

‘We appreciate the firm for its diversity, quality of work, and speedy responses.‘

‘Charlotte Smith is high-quality and knowledgeable, providing advice that is well thought out, confident, and speedy.‘

‘It’s the team’s approach to dealing with complex employment-related issues that stands out: the relationship is very collaborative, the team adapt their style to the culture of the organisation they are advising, and in some ways we go through the highs and lows together. The more junior members of the team join our calls to get exposure to the conversations, which is a great way of building rapport and learning our business.’

‘Charlotte Smith has a wealth of knowledge in complex employment law and has a unique ability to present the guidance so that it’s easily understandable. Charlotte always asks what we are looking for as an outcome and presents us with options.’

‘The team is very responsive, pragmatic, and outcome focused, and takes its time to understand our business and business challenges.’

‘The Shoosmiths employment team are excellent and offer great client care. I have a very high volume of litigation with them, and they provide a very high-end service.’

‘They are always very efficient and work really well with our employees, many of whom have not been involved in litigation previously.’

‘Shoosmiths have either won or helped us efficiently settle every litigation matter that they were instructed on in the last year.’

‘The team at Black’s always make you feel welcome and answer any queries, quickly making you feel at ease.’

‘David Ward is who I have worked with on a number of occasions. His knowledge of employment law is impeccable and he has always given me sound advice that has benefited the decisions I have then made. He knows when to move on a case and always explains the risks if any are involved. I have recommended David to family and friends who needed advice previously, as I fully trust his ability and expertise when dealing with employment law.’

‘Very easy to deal with. Open and timely communication.’

‘As soon as I met Partner David Ward, I knew I was in good hands. He immediately assessed my situation and quickly proposed his solution as to how we could ensure a successful outcome. Throughout the negotiations he kept me fully in the loop and instilled the utmost confidence that he would achieve our desired result.‘

‘I have instructed David Ward and his excellent team many times for my legal needs and all times Blacks Solicitors have not only been successful in terms of winning and settling my cases, but the level of care and compassion towards me and extra support to help me have been above and beyond.’

‘Down-to-earth and do not use legal jargon.’

‘The main difference to other law firms I have dealt with is Blacks ability to go the extra mile. They were there not only to offer legal advice, but also to support me mentally whilst going through a very challenging legal battle that lasted over five years.‘

‘David Ward was excellent in his advice and outstanding in his availability and general demeanour. He has stuck with me throughout the last five years and words alone really cannot sum up just how amazing he has been.’

‘Very experienced and down-to-earth. They really understand healthcare and the challenges that brings. They think strategically in employment relations cases and can explain complex legal arguments in simple terms.’

‘Friendly and approachable. Rachael Heenan and Alistair Kernohan have provided excellent support to me on employment relations cases. Rachael gained the trust of my CEO in a particularly difficult case which made the process much easier.’

‘Worked with the team on a long-running case and the particular standout was their adaptability in light of feedback and the amount of time they dedicated to ensure we were kept properly (and promptly) informed throughout the case.‘

‘Rachael Heenan is responsive and a reflective listener.’

‘Responsive and well informed regarding the nature of the healthcare sector, and they provide pragmatic advice.’

‘The employment team are a pleasure to instruct. They take the time to understand clients’ businesses and tailor their advice to meet client needs.’

‘We feel that the team at Irwin Mitchell keep us safe. Always on hand to answer a general query and there to guide us through some of the trickier elements that arise in education.’

‘Our main contact is an employment specialist, but we know that any query sent will be passed on to colleagues in the relevant field.’

‘Jenny Arrowsmith is personable, helpful and professional. She understands the challenges that are faced in the education sector and we do not need to explain too much as she has normally come across a similar issue before.‘

‘Glenn Hayes’ team give sound and timely advice, always remaining professional and are just an extension of our HR team.’

‘Amazingly pragmatic advice which takes into account how you operate as a client and internal risk appetite. A good common sense approach, which is well-thought through and based on outcomes. The team have an excellent knowledge of the law and don’t waste time by quoting it at you.‘

‘Stuart Craig is experienced, pragmatic, easy to work with and unflappable. Couldn’t recommend him highly enough.’

‘The employment team at Mills & Reeve is an outstanding group of people to work with. The team as a whole demonstrate that, in addition to in-depth legal knowledge, they understand the client’s commercial sensitivities and are able to offer advice on the best strategy with that in mind.‘

‘Rebecca Pallot is an outstanding lawyer. She has superb legal knowledge and a great understanding of the sensitivities in which many of her clients work. Her advice is always pragmatic and sound. Whenever I’m instructed by Rebecca on a case, I’m left thinking she probably couldn’t have done a better job! She is certainly someone you would want in your corner in an employment dispute.‘

‘Approachable, accessible and knowledgeable.‘

‘Pragmatic and solutions focused.’

‘They offer advice that is easy to understand, straightforward and really helpful. The team act efficiently and within agreed timescales.’

‘Stuart Craig has a deep understanding of all aspects of employment law aspects. I hugely respect him for his penetrating analysis, sound judgment and good strategic sense. The outstanding choice for advice in this area in the region and beyond.’

‘Efficient at providing solutions to potential problems and scenarios we would encounter. A true partnership in enabling us to overcome any contractual issues.‘

‘Harmajinder Hayre was great to deal with; always came back to me on my queries, provided solutions to any issues that could arise, understood the full landscape of our problems, and enabled me to take our business forward without any bumps or legal issues. I would highly recommend him for the service he gave us!‘

‘I have worked closely with Harmajinder Hayre on a wide variety of issues and I always find his advice clear, pragmatic and solutions focussed. There is no waffle with Harmajinder; he goes straight to the heart of an issue and gives you the pros and cons of a solution. He always gets back to me and is responsive, which I really value, as quite often my needs are time sensitive.’

‘The team at Ward Hadaway are very thorough with their approach and they deal with requests in a timely manner. I get regular case updates with a detailed breakdown of cases and actions that are needed.‘

‘Edward Nuttman’s response times are extremely quick and his advice is thorough and yet made simple to ensure that I can take on board his advice. His approach is excellent and he has taken on board my long-term aspirations and is working to achieve these with me.‘

‘We have been working closely with Ward Hadaway for several years and they have got a broad understanding of our company and our business environment. Their response time to our queries is almost immediate and we are never left waiting for an answer.’

‘The employment team has a keen customer-focused approach, seeking to understand what is important to the client and what the customer is seeking in respect of issue resolution. The legal expertise offered is exceptional, well considered and thought through, and delivered in a way that makes it easier for the client to understand opportunities and risk and determine its approach.’

‘Nick Newman is an amazing lawyer; professional in his approach and clearly well versed in his specialism. He is clear in his guidance and advice, takes time to understand and clarify issues, and delivers clarity in respect of risk and opportunity. Nick is calm and assured and works through problems with seemingly effortless ease in order to identify options for management and resolution. Nick is a joy to work with.‘

‘All individuals are extremely knowledgeable and helpful with queries, responding quickly to queries. Nick Newman works with us closely, understanding the nuances of the industry we work in and he is on hand when needed. He is always able to respond to queries or situations we are experiencing, and where not possible immediately, will come back when he says he will.’

‘A clear, pragmatic approach that is customer centric, with a very quick response and turn around to queries and issues with a real desire to understand your business and the nuances of any particular situation.’

‘The expertise and approach of Ben Daniel is excellent and gives immense confidence in the advice and options available to you across a range of complex industrial relations landscape. Also excellent support from Nick Newman.’

‘Weightmans have been providing employment law advice to my organisation for seven years. From day one they took the time to get to understand the nature of our business. We have a dedicated contact within Weightmans who is always available and very responsive. When he is not available, alternative arrangements are proactively put in place.’

‘For Nick Newman, nothing is too much trouble; responsive, takes the time to understand the situation, clarity of advice recognising the subtle nuances, and understands the management position. He has a focus on helping the organisation come to a resolution, recognising the different risks at play, and goes the extra mile.’

‘Ben Daniel is an exceptional employment solicitor. Very client focused, legally knowledgeable and tactically astute. He is my go-to employment solicitor as I firmly believe he is the best employment solicitor in the country. Absolutely top drawer.’

‘Paul is the go-to person in Leeds for commercial employment advice. Paul has a vast array of experience in the area and his pragmatic approach is valued by clients and other lawyers. Paul is the go-to person for me if I have an issue or question and he is always happy to help; working collaboratively with other professionals is a strength.‘

‘The team are pragmatic, responsive and wise. Their advice is excellent and straightforward. Much of their work is for corporates but they have also been very helpful and equally attentive to individuals, which differentiates them from many in the employment market.’

‘Paul Ball, the head of the practice, is particularly good. Despite his seniority, he’s always super responsive. He has well-placed and high confidence in his team if he’s not around. He never leaves you hanging.’

‘The practice is extremely pragmatic. The team listen to concerns and quickly come up with pragmatic solutions that are well-thought-out, risk assessed, commercial and explained well in plain English. Team members are available when required and alternative contacts are provided proactively. When urgent matters arise, I don’t have any problems in getting through to someone and this is enormously reassuring.’

‘A stand out partner is Paul Ball. He is clear, concise, warm and engaging. He is exceptional. He gets to the crux of matters quickly and offers sound, commercial and pragmatic advice. I can’t recommend him strongly enough.‘

‘They have a strong understanding of data protection legislation in general, but especially as it applies to the field of occupational health.’

‘Iain Jenkins is an exceptional solicitor, being both knowledgeable and approachable. He explained the process to us regarding our issue, allowing us to make an evidenced-based and informed decision regarding our case. He was responsive, illuminating and professional. A joy to work with.’

‘Really good service, good at listening and providing options to be taken, which are very clearly explained. Efficient and friendly. Superb service.’

‘Peter McCormick is a great advocate for his company and Iain Jenkins is excellent; very clear on our way ahead, the costs, always available, cooperative and deals with issues quickly and articulately – the right person to have in your side. He has helped me achieve our complex goals with employment law. The best.’

‘Excellent support and pragmatic advice.’

‘This firm provides a fantastic service in employment law with a strong team of knowledgeable solicitors. They are all very approachable and easily contactable and their knowledge of employment law is second-to-none. They embrace all the new technologies available and respond promptly to calls if not available. Meetings can take place either face to face or online, which provides great flexibility for clients.’

‘Sally Togher was very approachable and carefully listened to the position that I was facing, as well as fully understanding the details of my employment contract. She was very knowledgeable about what my employment rights were and to what I would be entitled. Throughout the whole process she kept me fully informed and was always chasing up my employer if she had had no response from them.’

‘The have a strong, diverse presence in the local area, being renowned for their ability to resolve difficult issues. A team with differing specialisms within a well-respected practice.’

‘I have dealt with Deborah Boylan and Sally Tougher over many years. They have supported me both from an individual perspective and that of an employer with ultimate professionalism, but just as importantly, the understanding of getting the best resolution without the need to be unreasonable.’

‘Creative solutions, sound advice, and a commercial mindset.‘

‘Liz Pollock is an exceptional solicitor. Very responsive and attentive to client needs. Very commercial mindset backed by sound legal advice.’

‘The Raworths team are knowledgeable and supportive and speak to you in layman’s terms. They give direct answers rather than sitting on the fence.’

‘I work a lot with Harjeet Nangla. She is friendly and approachable and is always on hand to help and support me. No question or query is ever too small for her.‘

‘Warm and friendly staff with considerable expertise and sector knowledge. Partners are very available and respond promptly to any enquiry. Staff go above and beyond to support, often with a pragmatism and solution-focused approach that is refreshing in this sector.’

‘Our support package represents exceptional value for money in the way that it is highly tailored to our specific needs and context. The firm often runs events which are highly informative and provide excellent networking opportunities.‘

‘Simon Shepherd is highly efficient, with nuanced understanding of the context of our organisation; he has lots of integrity but with a lightness of touch and a sense of humour that makes him a pleasure to work with.’

‘The team are knowledgeable, personable, approachable, and reliable.’

‘The legal team feel part of our own organisation.’

‘Large firm with the quality and personal service of a provincial firm.’

‘Commercially astute and pragmatic. Professional and engaging. Speed of response is excellent.’

‘Attention to detail and tailoring the advice in a very personal way.’

‘Their commitment is breath-taking. Also, their levels of empathy and understanding for the challenges and injustices being faced have been a fantastic support for us. The team are there for you and each other no matter what.’

‘Excellent level of partner service and practical advice.’

‘Tiggy Clifford was practical and pragmatic, and crunched through to the key points quickly and without over labouring the minor ones.’

‘The Torque team comes with big-firm experience, but from an agile, personalised and highly cost-efficient platform.‘

‘Emma Whiting has masses of experience acting for both corporates as well as individuals, so is able to bring a top-class and pragmatic perspective to issues which can quickly become intractable.‘

‘As a boutique specialist practice, Torque is a standout in the employment law field. Both Tiggy Clifford and Emma Whiting are well-respected and extremely knowledgeable in the area of employment law and have a great following. The firm is pragmatic and looks at ways of problem solving outside litigation which appeals to me as a fan of ADR and workplace mediation.’

‘A highly personable team who are always on hand to help. There is a real sense of a personal touch to the way Torque support and engage.’

‘We have always been very pleased with the work and advice we have received from Wrigleys, whether this is ad hoc HR advice on employee relations or a larger piece of project work. They are attentive, understand our business, and are flexible and willing to provide tailored advice at all times.’

‘Alacoque Marvin was our main contact and is excellent. She understands our business needs, will always offer tailored advice, and works hard with us to ensure the right outcomes.’

‘The employment law team has a great understanding of the needs of the NFP sector and are willing to share ideas and to help support our clients, even if it is for a limited piece of work. I like the in-depth understanding of the sector, which includes active involvement with at least one of the governing bodies, which helps to provide some additional insight where this will help the client.’

‘I work mainly with Sue King. She is very approachable and pragmatic in her approach. Where I have helped to provide client introductions, they have also been very complimentary about Sue and her team. They like the approach and practical ideas they bring.’

‘The practice are friendly and approachable. Nothing is too much trouble.’

‘They have passion in what they do and you feel they really do care.’

‘The team at Wrigleys demonstrates a great knowledge of the charity sector and of the locality, so the advice they offer is tailored and practical. Because they have the specialism, they are able to alert us to changes in law that we need to consider and know what the likely impact is going to be for us.

‘Sue King has been particularly helpful and responsive.’

‘On the whole, I find Bevan Brittan to be supportive and collaborative. I appreciate and actively seek their advice, whether it’s a formal employment law case or a highly complex issue. I find their advice sensible and pragmatic, and in the more formal interactions I find them genuinely supportive and engaged.‘

‘Responsive and knowledgeable.’

‘The practice has taken the time to build relationships with key stakeholders and acts as a trusted source of advice as we navigate complex employment matters. We are always quickly triaged to the correct person with the specialist knowledge to respond to our enquiries.’

‘All interactions are professional but relaxed and our enquiries and requests for support are well engaged with.‘

‘We have always enjoyed positive interactions with agents of Bevan Brittan, however, Andrew Uttley particularly has always acted as a trusted legal advisor and is often our preferred contact, simply on the basis of his personable manner, expert knowledge and sound advice.’

‘Andrew Uttley has a wealth of sector knowledge which makes his advice all the more credible and he always acts as professional sounding board on employment matters.’

‘Bevan Brittan LLP have a unique way of analysing the nature of our legal queries and transforming this into helpful and practical legal sessions. They have a helpful platform which allows us to ask queries with a response within 24 hours given. We are able to view the responses to other queries saving time and generation wider understanding. The legal advice itself is helpful and sensible.’

‘Bevan Brittan partners are proactive and responsive. They are friendly and we get the sense we are working in partnership.’

‘Reliable, personable and attuned to the risk appetite of the organisation. Easily available and rapidly responding to issues as they arise. Feels like part of the team rather than an external stakeholder’

‘Paul Menham is knowledgeable, realistic, transparent and to the point. He does not try to overcomplicate issues and cuts through complex issues in an easy to understand way. Paul is personable and approachable and emotionally invests in supporting his clients.’

‘They are all experienced solicitors with over ten years experience, so you know the advice you receive will be to the highest standard.’

‘Mini Setty is quite simply brilliant! Probably the best employment law solicitor I have ever worked with during my HR career. Very pragmatic, easy to talk to, listens, and provides excellent advice to support commercial business decisions. She also has a great personality and sense of humour! I cannot recommend Mini highly enough.’

‘The team are approachable, knowledgeable and act in the best interests of the client. As a client, I am super impressed with the teams ability to manage complex changes in employment arenas, which are also at times untested and at pace. The team have good connections across Europe and have a barrister network which can be utilised via the team.’

‘Jo Tindall has been imperative with the start-up of our employment practices within the company. Jo has supported us with complex cases, TUPE’s, Union approaches, voluntary recognition, and difficult performance management processes. Jo has been flexible, approachable and at times, invited into the client workspace to give technical employment views with associated risks.’

‘Mini Setty is commercially aware, always professional, but friendly and available. During the pandemic we went through a whole company restructure and Mini’s advice was invaluable in ensuring a fair consultation and redundancy process. I highly recommend her.’

‘Gunner Cooke is excellent. My experience with them has been nothing but positive and supportive. The training they run is great, and I was particularly impressed by the menopause training they ran. Jo Tindall also came into my work place and trained all of our staff over several session on HR policy and the law, which was great! They are incredibly friendly and approachable.’

‘The approach is very open, friendly and understanding. The knowledge level is good and the approach to risk is very balanced.’

‘Individuals go the extra mile to engage and understand. They are very professional and spend time explaining the issues. They understand the charity sector and how it is different.‘

‘Fully engaged, solid, professional experts who are able to give confident and productive information and insight.’

‘Open, personable, available, easy to contact and engage with.‘

‘This is an excellent firm with quality people. This is reflected in the high calibre of work they receive and retain on a repeat basis. Their level of engagement, both with the legal issues, clients and instructed counsel, is second to none. They are both fiercely robust and commercially sensible when appropriate.’

‘The two stand out individuals in my mind are Joshua Lee and Janine Lawton. They are all extremely user friendly.’

‘All the fee earners with whom I have worked have provided their clients with an excellent service.’

‘Joshua Lee leaves no stone unturned in striving to achieve the right result for his clients. He is technically strong and a real team player.’

‘What stands out from colleagues at Stone King is that the advice is pragmatic and empathetic: the legal position is made clear and the probabilities attached to risks are spelled out in a way that supports, rather than unduly constrains, management decisions.’

‘From Polly O’Malley, I have valued particularly her availability, the directness of her advice, and the pragmatism and empathy shown to the management position. I always feel like she and her colleagues are on our side, even if the advice is not what we want to hear.‘

‘The team has a good depth of employment law expertise in the education sector and have given us helpful and pragmatic support and advice through a number of very complex cases over the last couple of years.‘

‘Polly O’Malley provides good leadership to her team, and hands-on support with the most difficult issues. Where appropriate, she has made suggestions about how our internal practices could be further strengthened.’

‘Stone King have a strong team of experts and were able to appoint a partner with the specific specialism to support us with novel and targeted advice for a complex and unusual situation.’

‘Polly O’Malley was extremely knowledgeable and thoughtful in providing advice on the complex dismissal of a senior individual facing a number of most serious criminal safeguarding allegations which required a novel approach.’

‘Excellent range of skills and expertise to cover all situations.‘

‘Perfect professional individuals that work with high values and integrity.’