‘Farrer & Co’s employment team is consistently impressive at all levels. They combine an astute legal judgment with a really sound basis of common sense’. It is jointly led by David Smellie and Kathleen Heycock. The group continues to undertake substantial projects for a wide variety of high-profile clients, including some third-sector clients. It also excels in advising on industrial relations, and in high-profile employment tribunal litigation. The group is skilled in investigations work too, and at advising clients in regulated industries. Recent highlights have included Alice Yandle’s promotion to the partnership in May 2023. Charmaine Pollock was made partner in May 2024. Rachel Lewis is among the other excellent members of the department. Lewis is sought after for her work on sensitive discrimination claims, senior level dismissals, and large-scale reorganisations.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Farrer & Co have an absolutely top class team, across the board. Excellent judgment, strategy and client-management. Maria Strauss is superb. Completely sound in judgment and practical.’
‘David Hunt is the ideal employment law solicitor. Intelligent, hard-working, practical, empathetic and utterly unflappable. I can put him before any member of my organisation, from the most junior to the most senior, and know that he will inspire confidence and trust.'
- 'Alice Yandle became a partner within the past couple of years, but she was performing at that level for a long time beforehand. Her clients always know that she's 100% behind them. She's the sort of lawyer you want at your shoulder as you go over the top.'
- ‘Anna Birtwistle offers very strategic and precise advice. Charmaine Pollock is a strong second chair.’
‘Very personal and responsive service. Rachel Lewis gives an outstanding service.’
‘They are timely and quick with their response times. They have a very strong employment team, led by some very knowledgeable legal brains. They are a pleasure to work with, and I am confident in their advice and guidance.’
- 'Kathleen Heycock - is outstanding and gets to the heart of the issues quickly and is pragmatic in her advice.'
‘Anna is a no-nonsense, straight talking person when it comes to giving legal advice. However, she has very engaging qualities in learning about her clients and their demands very quickly.’
Work highlights
- Undertaking seven independent external investigations for an internationally recognised academic institution, in the context of complex and sensitive disputes.
- Representing a prestigious not-for-profit organisation in two highly contentious and technically complicated Employment Tribunal claims, including discrimination allegations on the grounds of sex, sexual orientation, disability and race.
- Advising a bank in a high-value unlawful team poaching and wrongful use of confidential information claim against a competitor bank and a number of other defendants.
Lawyers
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Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
David Smellie; Kathleen Heycock
Other key lawyers
Maria Strauss; Anna Birtwistle; David Hunt; Alice Yandle; Charmaine Pollock; Rachel Lewis; Alice Kendle; Lauren Bennett