The Manchester-based employment group at Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP is well known for its ‘first-class expertise’ and handles a wide array of matters for major clients such as United Utilities, Warburtons and the BBC. Key practitioners include ’trusted and valued adviser’ Naeema Choudry, who handles employment litigation relating to diversity, discrimination and pay workstreams, among other issues; education sector specialist Robert Gray, who is equipped to advise on redundancy and restructuring cases, senior terminations, disciplinary and grievance proceedings, and on matters pertaining to trade unions; and Jenny Mann, who handles both domestic and cross-border cases on a regular basis. Stephen Chegwin, promoted to partner in May 2024, is noteworthy for his industrial relations and collective litigation experience. Chloe Themistocleous handles Employment Tribunal litigation pertaining to unfair dismissals, discrimination and whistleblowing. Leeds-based Paul Cotton leads the team.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The team is very responsive and there is great strength-in-depth and collaboration across the firm which is evident when we as a client require last-minute employment advice on related corporate or organisational changes of a sensitive nature that have been advised upon in related legal fields e.g. corporate law, commercial litigation, etc.'
- 'We have worked a long time with Naeema Choudry and she is a trusted and valued advisor to the business, particularly when it comes to providing responsive and balanced views on commercially sensitive employment issues which have wide ranging implications for the business.'
- 'Naeema's experience of employment litigation both as an advocate and also as a sitting EJ gives her invaluable insights around the relevant risks we as a client need to be mindful of. She is also a very effective and capable negotiator. We have great confidence when putting forward recommendations based on her advice.'
- 'What sets Eversheds apart for us is the collaboration and accessibility of the partners and associates who support us. Their expertise is first-class, but most importantly they balance good legal guidance with a commercial view and understanding of the business and its challenges.'
- ''Collaboration, expertise and approachability. The latter is most important because more often than not contact is being made when there is a pending problem so it is key for us to talk to someone who will understand, with the focus being on support and resolution, whilst balancing robust legal advice.'
- 'Rebecca Urmston and Jenny Mann are standout colleagues for us.'
- 'The strength and depth of legal advisors with significant expertise and general value-add across diverse subject areas is stand-out.'
- 'Very responsive and the advice is always returned to a highly satisfactory level; our questions are always interpreted correctly and the advice is always well-rounded. The additional questions we should have asked but as non-lawyers wouldn’t have necessarily thought to do so, they answered.'
Key clients
- United Utilities Group plc
- Warburtons
- Sellafield Limited
- DXC Technology
- Footasylum
- Siemens Plc
- Dock10 Limited
- TransPennine Express
- Turning Point
- EDF Energy
- Nuclear Transport Solutions
- BBC
- Oliver James Associates Limited
- Parker Meggitt
- Goldsmiths, University of London
- London South Bank University
- DFDS Seaways Plc
- RPS Group plc
- The University and Colleges Employers Association
- University of Salford
Work highlights
Represented Sellafield in the successful defence of a complex and high-value constructive dismissal, disability discrimination, harassment and victimisation claim.
Advised a UK University on the implementation of a transnational education project involving the University’s collaboration with a Chinese University to establish a joint institute in China.
Advised a national health and social care provider on the enforcement of copyright, confidentiality, non-compete and non-solicitation covenants against a departing sales lead and competitor.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Paul Cotton
Other key lawyers
Naeema Choudry; Rebecca Urmston; Jenny Mann; Robert Gray; Stephen Chegwin; Laura D’Arcy; Chloe Themistocleous