Michael Newman > Leigh Day > Manchester, England > Lawyer Profile
Leigh Day Offices

BUILDING C (MAN 35)
CENTRAL PARK
MANCHESTER
M40 5BP
England
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Michael Newman

Work Department
Employment
Position
Michael is a litigation specialist, focusing on discrimination and employment rights for individuals. He has unparalleled experience in the conduct of group litigation, and his cases are frequently in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court. He has successfully brought claims against central government departments, banks and financial institutions, large multinationals, NHS bodies, universities, local authorities, NGOs and several national newspapers. Michael advises individuals in a wide range of workplace disputes, and discrimination matters in all sectors. Previous cases include the blacklisting litigation on behalf of GMB members in the High Court, and he currently represents tens of thousands of workers in an equal pay claim against Asda (believed to be the largest private sector equal pay claim).
Career
Michael graduated from Worcester College, Oxford with a double first in law, followed by a distinction in the Bachelor of Civil Law at Merton College, Oxford. Michael trained as a barrister, and was called to the Bar in 2007. He completed his pupilage at a leading employment and discrimination set of chambers, and qualified as a solicitor in 2011.
Lawyer Rankings
London > Employment > Employees/unions
The team of ‘fearless lawyers and very creative thinkers’ at Leigh Day is noted as ‘the best in the country’ by its clients. The group harnesses expertise across the remit of employment and discrimination matters, and is at the forefront of conversation regarding equal pay and workers’ rights in particular. The team’s client list is formed solely of individual and Trade Union claimants, and it frequently handles large-scale group litigation claims made against renowned names, an area which Chris Benson has particular experience in. Michael Newman has strong capabilities handling sector-spanning litigious matters at Supreme Court level; ‘absolute powerhouse’ Kiran Daurka acts across age discrimination and victimisation, and equal pay matters, often in collaboration with the ‘endlessly enthusiastic’ Paula Lee. Further names to note include Elizabeth George who is also well-equipped to act on prominent equal pay claims, Nick Webster who is an expert in handling individual claimant matters, and Liana Wood who is developing a specialism in employment status and gig economy litigation work. The group is co-led by Nigel MacKay and Emma Satyamurti.