Nick Hurley > Charles Russell Speechlys LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

The ‘stellar’ and ‘attentive and professional’ team at Charles Russell Speechlys LLP regularly advises employers and listed companies across the financial services and video games sectors including household names such as Sony PlayStation. The practice is co-headed by Nick Hurley, who has a contentious and non-contentious employment practice which includes handling discrimination, TUPE and reorganisation matters, and the ‘hugely impressive’ Ben Smith, who often represents clients in the charities and not-for-profit sectors and has significant experience with Employment Tribunal litigation. Emily Chalkley specialises in transaction-related employment matters and litigation concerning sex discrimination and equal pay claims, and is praised as a ‘rising star and hardworking with terrific judgment’. The ‘approachable’ Rachel Hearn frequently acts for senior executives on a range of employment issues including employee exits, disciplinary issues, grievances and redundancies.

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP advises an array of clients ranging from corporates and professional service firms, as well as managing high value employment issues for private wealth clients. Managing senior executive exits and severance negotiations is also an area of strength. Nick Hurley, who providing strategic employment reorganisation and TUPE advice, leads the team. He is supported by Trevor Bettany, who is recommended for LLP disputes, and retail sector HR expert Michael Powner.

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP is well versed in advising both individuals and partnership structures, particularly in relation to limited liability partnerships and limited partnerships. The team assists on a full range of matters such as drafting and updating constitutional documents, transactional work, regulatory matters and partnership disputes. Practice head Charlie Ring principally focuses on the financial services sector, providing governance, constitutional and transactional advice to investment and wealth managers. Head of employment Nick Hurley handles the employment aspects of partnerships including cases involving discrimination, whistleblowing and TUPE matters. Anne-Marie Balfour advises employers and senior executives on employment law and litigation, as well as recruitment sector clients on regulatory compliance. Victoria Younghusband specialises in assisting investment funds on governance, mergers, restructuring and winding-ups. Previous team head David Hicks left the firm in December 2022.

Charles Russell Speechlys LLP handles a range of mandates for senior executives, with particular expertise in advisory work. The team also handles contentious exits and unfair dismissals, and acts in Employment Tribunal claims. Team head Nick Hurley is well versed in a breadth of discrimination, victimisation and whistleblowing claims. Michael Powner‘s workload spans the full range of employment-related issues, including disciplinary proceedings and harassment claims. Another key member of the team is Trevor Bettany.