11KBW

A pre-eminent employment set, 11KBW members represent a diverse range of clients, from individual claimants to large multinational organisations, acting across the full gamut of employment cases. Daniel Stilitz KC has acted for various government departments in PCS v DEFRA, a Supreme Court case examining the rights of a trade union to sue for damages as a third-party for breach of a check-off term derived from an unenforcable collective agreement, whilst Seán Jones KC is acting across a range of high-profile disputes. Andrew Edge successfully defended TUI Airways Ltd in a High Court trial relating to breach of contract resulting from changes to health insurance, and is now defending Morrisons in a large-scale equal pay claim. Stilitz KC and Hannah Slarks (for the Secretary of State for Business and Trade), and Joanne Clement KC (for the airline), appeared in Court of Appeal case Ryanair DAC v Morais, concerning the airline's threat to strip striking pilots of concessionary travel benefits for a year - at issue was if this constituted an illegal blacklist. Tom Cross KC was elevated to silk in March 2025.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'The clerk team led by Mark Dann is exceptional.'
'The clerks are the best out there. Particularly Martin Pownall and Tori Eastwick, they definitely add to why 11KBW are the best employment set.'
'Mollie Adams and Harry Gilson are very strong clerks, and Martin Pownall is always excellent and responsible'
'11 KBW offers a first-class clerking service.'
'11KBW are the leading employment set in my view. Brilliant barristers, brilliant clerks, brilliant service.'
'11KBW are a first class set with an enviable stock of KC's through to ranks of incredibly clever juniors.'

Lawyers

Leading Silks

KCs at the very top of their field, with a long-established record of market-defining cases, and widespread endorsement from clients and peers. All silks appointed in the last two rounds are listed further below.

Sean Jones KC

Daniel Stilitz KC

Daniel is a very persuasive advocate who has the skill of presenting complex legal arguments in an accessible way. He is all over the detail as well as having good strategic acumen.'

Simon Devonshire KC

Simon is a true leader in his field.'

Richard Leiper KC

Richard's calm demeanour and understated authority make him a formidable advocate. '

Julian Milford KC

Julian has an encyclopaedic knowledge of the law and is brilliant at handling tricky judges, making complex submissions seem effortless.'

Anya Proops KC

Leading Juniors

Leading juniors are those with significant experience of key cases, strong market recognition from both peers and clients, and are seen as future candidates for silk.

Sophie Belgrove

Sophie is unflappable; undauntable. She understands cases with a great clarity, constructs arguments meticulously and advocates persuasively. Bound for silk and stardom.'

Andrew Edge

‘Andrew has an true talent in building relationships with clients. they feel seen and heard and he is able to take the complexities of employment law and turn that into reassurance for clients at a time when they are most vulnerable.’

Patrick Halliday

Patrick is responsive, thoughtful and an expert in the employment area who provides well considered strategic advice.'

Michael Lee

Mike is a superb advocate, a go-to and reliable team member, and offers real strategic insight on the most complex cases. He will give you the time, effort and insight you dream of from a real star of the employment Bar.’

Hannah Slarks

‘Hannah demonstrates exceptional advocacy skills, possess a deep understanding of the law and is adept at applying legal principles to complex cases, excels in communicating with clients and is strategic in her approach, often anticipating creative opposing arguments and preparing cogent counterarguments in advance.’

Ronnie Dennis

Ronnie is the complete all-round package. He is incredibly bright and capable of promptly absorbing complex facts, then applying them to complicated legal situations. His cross examination skills are impeccable.'

Tom Ogg

Andrew Smith

Jamie Susskind

Jamie is excellent with clients and fiercely protects their interests. He is a pleasure to work with, very client friendly and works well with a team.’

Katherine Eddy

Harini Iyengar

‘Harini is clear-sighted and forensic in defending claims and her employment knowledge is formidable’

Rupert Paines

Rupert is an intellectual powerhouse with excellent judgement who extremely hardworking and a fine advocate – crisp and precise with no verbiage. He is one of the real stars of the junior Bar in this arena.’

Zac Sammour

‘Zac is carving out a name for himself at the forefront of discrimination law.'

Ruth Kennedy

‘Ruth is a composed performer who combines rigorous legal analysis with a dose of common sense.'

Ben Mitchell

‘Ben is a skilful barrister who responsive and excellent with clients. He is a very impressive advocate and remains calm under pressure.’

Leo Davidson

‘Leo is extremely bright, a smart strategist, patient and reliable. His advocacy is always of the highest standard – well-judged, powerful and persuasive. ‘

Daniel Isenberg

Nigel Porter

‘Nigel's oral closing submissions are also awe-inspiring.'

Katherine Taunton

‘Katherine is brilliant with experience in confidential information, commercial employment and team move cases that is rare at her level of call.’

Rising stars

Rising stars at the Bar are defined as barristers between four and eight years’ call who are seen as up-and-coming members of the Bar in their respective practice areas by clients and peers alike. They will already be instructed in high-profile, complex, and high-value contentious and non-contentious matters, working with and opposite more experienced leading counsel.