Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (UK) LLP is geared to support on a wide range of employment matters including restructurings, discrimination and whistleblowing claims, and investigations. The group represents global tech giants and start-ups, assisting with transactions and accelerated growth. The 'outstanding' Nicola Whiteley, who leads the team, has expertise in team moves, TUPE issues, and senior-level recruitment and terminations. Emma Zarb became partner in January 2025, and has a notable specialism in tribunal litigation.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Strong technical expertise, good understanding of our company culture, pragmatic and responsive.’
‘Emma Zarb is a newly minted partner who is 100% focused on her clients. Deep experience of litigation means that she can carefully and pragmatically guide her clients to a successful result avoiding any traps and making their case really shine.’
‘The Orrick employment team is a tight-knit group of experts who combine technical excellence, transatlantic commerciality, and excellent client support skills.’
‘Nicola Whiteley leads the team and is superb. She is less about flourish, and more about simply getting the job done for the client. A sophisticated and pragmatic approach. I would want Nicola to look after me in a work-related crisis.’
‘The team at Orrick is highly responsive and takes a pragmatic and commercial approach to giving advice which meets business needs. Also flexible and responsive where time-sensitive matters present and which may require more immediate attention. Good culture fit.’
‘Nicola Whiteley is excellent. She actively listens and seeks to understand the business issue or challenge before providing advice. Options presented for consideration based on our risk appetite. Is pragmatic, commercially minded, and seeks to reach best possible outcome for relevant parties. ’
Key clients
- ADM Investor Services International
- Aptean, Inc.
- Cambridge Glycoscience
- Conjecture
- Crossbeam, Inc.
- DigitalBridge
- Fforme, Inc.
- Graphcore Limited
- Griffin Bank
- Hudson RPO Limited
- Human Native Ltd
- Kognitiv Corporation
Work highlights
Advised Comitis Capital GmbH, a Germany based private equity investment firm, on employment aspects of its acquisition of the majority of the issued share capital of R&R Tofu Limited, an England based producer and supplier of organic tofu.
Advised Graphcore, a British semiconductor company that develops accelerators for AI and machine learning, on employment aspects of its sale to Softbank Group.
Advised Deel, Inc., a California based company that offer tech-enabled payroll and compliance services to businesses, facilitating the seamless and compliant hiring of independent contractors and full-time employees, on employment aspects of its acquisition of Hofy Ltd.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Nicola Whiteley
Other key lawyers
Emma Zarb