ESP Solicitors

The firm: Cater Leydon Millard Limited (CLM) is a niche practice, founded in 2004, with a 100% focus on employment law.

The founders were partners and/or heads of department in large, regional firms who wanted to provide a boutique, ‘partner-led’ service focusing on employment law issues in a few key sectors, principally, the NHS, independent schools, technology, transport and manufacturing. The firm is based in Oxfordshire but works nationally, throughout the UK.

Principal areas of work: CLM is a 100% niche employment law practice, with a vision to deliver excellent, client-focused, pragmatic employment and HR support to employers of all sizes and in many sectors.

CLM has a strong reputation as a quality firm with an excellent legal knowledge and understanding. It is perceived as a formidable opponent by other firms; professionally courteous but tough, its litigation win rate is an outstanding 90%-plus.

The firm provides a comprehensive employment law service, providing specialist advice and support to in house counsel, HR professionals and business owners, and represents employers in employment tribunal and High Court litigation concerning matters such as discrimination, equal pay, TUPE, outsourcing, organisational change, team moves, industrial action, collective issues and employee engagement, whistleblowing and professional regulatory issues.

CLM offers CLMI, a specialist investigation service; an equal pay audit & advice service; and a pupil visa service for independent schools.

Clients: The firm is on the North of England NHS Commercial Procurement Collaborative (NOECPC) panel and the Serco panel for employment law. Other clients include AWE, Mentor Graphics, National Physical Laboratory, Headlam, Smeg UK, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust, Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust, Radley College, and King’s College School.

Recruitment: The firm does not offer training contracts but is always pleased to hear from qualified solicitors specialising in employment law who want to work in a collegiate, specialist firm.