Kathleen Heycock > Farrer & Co > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Farrer & Co acts for a client roster that encompasses some of the UK’s largest universities, as well as sector associations such as the Association of Commonwealth Universities. The team is respected for its ability to handle crisis management work of a reputationally sensitive nature and is regularly instructed to handle employment matters, commercial issues, and research/IP disputes, with a record of acting in contentious mandates spanning from discrimination and unfair dismissal claims to research misconduct allegations. Under the leadership of IP and commercial specialist David Copping, the London-based team also regularly assists with high-profile projects and partnerships, including campus openings, research collaboration agreements, and acquisitions. The team benefits from the expertise of Kathleen Heycock, whose expertise in employment and safeguarding issues make her a key contact for student complaints, industrial relations, and misconduct allegations. Sam Macdonald, an experienced charity and tax lawyer who is regarded as a key contact for matters related to governance and fundraising, Jeremy Isaacson, who advises on high-profile research and IP issues, and safeguarding specialist David Smellie are also highly recommended.

Farrer & Co acts for a wide range of clients in sectors including banking, insurance and sport. The firm also has a notable specialism in employment work in the academic and educational fields, representing Imperial College, the Natural History Museum and the Independent Schools Council, among others. The practice is led by David Smellie, a specialist in safeguarding work. He is supported by Rachel Lewis, who is recommended for advice on senior-level dismissals and employment reorganisations. Further key names in an extensive team include Anna Birtwistle, Alice Yandle, David Hunt and Kathleen Heycock.

The ‘strong partnership practice’ at Farrer & Co regularly advises individuals and firms in professional services firms including silver circle law firms, architects, asset managers, patent agents, FCA-regulated businesses and accountants. Handling major transactions, departures, team moves and disputes, the team also represents clients in the private client field including ultra-high-net-worth individuals and family offices. Practice head Jonathan Haley is a ‘highly experienced corporate lawyer’ who frequently advises a range of partnerships and individuals, especially in the regulated sectors, on business-critical transactions. Contentious partnership law and investigations expert Anna Birtwistle is ‘a great litigator, sensible, knowledgeable and all round superb’. The ‘experienced’ Eleanor Rowswell regularly acts for senior equity partners and LLPs on exits, appointments and disputes with specialisms in team moves, whistleblowing claims, remuneration agreements and discrimination litigation. Another key lawyer is Kathleen Heycock, a specialist external investigator who often assists with senior partner moves between professional services and IT firms, international disputes and acquisitions by regulated partnerships.

The employment team at Farrer & Co is noted for its expertise in the financial sector, excelling in contentious employee protection work with specialist investigations proficiency. The practice is led by founder David Smellie, who advises on crisis management and leads on employment related safe-guarding matters. Frequently dealing with high-profile and high-value matters, the firm is a popular choice for senior individuals in highly regulated sectors. Co-heads of the practice Eleanor Rowswell and Anna Birtwistle expand the team’s expertise to complex cross-border mediation and arbitration, with increasing focus on contractual High Court disputes. Also highly regarded is David Hunt, known for his expertise in partner moves and restrictive covenant cases. Kathleen Heycock advises on post-termination restriction issues, while Alice Cave works on high-value whistleblowing cases. Alice Yandle – praised for her ‘great tactical sense‘ – routinely handles exits in the financial services, insurance, and tech sectors.