David Smellie > Farrer & Co > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Farrer & Co is renowned in the education sector, serving a diverse client base that includes independent schools and associations, providing advice on the full range of issues, particularly regarding innovative guidance on safeguarding. The department is well-regarded for its experience dealing with parents and pupils, governance and institutional issues, as well as sensitive issues such as sexual assault and commercial matters such as school mergers and school closures. Maria Strauss‘ practice spans employment, education and safeguarding while the hugely experienced Jonathan Eley advises on parent, pupil and employee matters and on crisis management together with disciplinary investigation. Key members of the team are safeguarding expert David Smellie , commercial contracts specialist Paul Jones, and charity law specialist Sam Macdonald . Katie Fudakowski is valued for her County Court, Employment and Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunals expertise and ‘stand-out’ Alice Yandle is noted for her broad employment and education expertise.

Distinguished by its deep bench and breadth of expertise, Farrer & Co advises on contentious employment disputes, specialist investigations, business protection, appointments, departures and public inquiries. Jointly led by Eleanor Rowswell and Anna Birtwistle, the group benefits from Rowswell’s extensive experience in disputes and investigations into misconduct allegations, and Birtwistle’s record of advising clients in the legal and financial services sectors. Other notable names in the practice include David Hunt, who excels in partner moves and restrictive covenant matters; Kathleen Heycock, who is active in assisting with senior partner moves within the Big Four accountancy firms; Alice Cave, who is experienced in employment contracts and exit packages; and Alice Yandle, who is active in the insurance, legal, private equity and financial services sectors. In addition, the team leans on the senior expertise of David Smellie.

‘Farrer & Co‘s employment team is consistently impressive at all levels. They combine an astute legal judgment with a really sound basis of common sense’. It is jointly led by David Smellie and Kathleen Heycock. The group continues to undertake substantial projects for a wide variety of high-profile clients, including some third-sector clients. It also excels in advising on industrial relations, and in high-profile employment tribunal litigation. The group is skilled in investigations work too, and at advising clients in regulated industries. Recent highlights have included Alice Yandle’s promotion to the partnership in May 2023. Charmaine Pollock was made partner in May 2024. Rachel Lewis is among the other excellent members of the department. Lewis is sought after for her work on sensitive discrimination claims, senior level dismissals, and large-scale reorganisations.