The employment practice at Charles Russell Speechlys LLP specialises in negotiating complex and high value exits and severance packages for senior executives from financial and professional services, as well as sports stars. Practice head Nick Hurley has extensive experience acting for senior executives in Employment Tribunals, Civil Courts and Arbitrations, with a focus on discrimination and whistleblowing cases. Michael Powner regularly handles partnership retirements and founder exits, whilst Emily Chalkley advises senior individuals on post-termination disputes. The team gained the expertise of Daniel Pollard from Littler in August 2024. Trevor Bettany retired in April 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Client focused, commercial and warm.’

  • ‘Ben Smith (Partner): All rounder: excellent with clients and building relationships but also strategic and technically strong.'

  • 'Nick Hurley (Partner): You want him in your corner: an amazing negotiator who holds his nerve and always takes the client with him.’
  • ‘I have truly valued Nick Hurley's expertise, his strategic thinking, his availability, speed of execution. Most of all, he has demonstrated empathy and understanding while someone is going through a very difficult period of their lives.’

  • ‘Experienced and pro-active team who are able to guide clients through the most difficult of situations in a calm, grounded and sympathetic manner.’

  • ‘Nick Hurley is a seasoned operator with good judgment and a down to earth approach whilst also being alert to the legal nuances.’

Practice head

Nick Hurley

Other key lawyers

Michael Powner; Daniel Pollard; Emily Chalkley; Ben Smith