Shoosmiths LLP is home to an experienced employment and immigration team advising employers on a wide array of matters, including sponsor licence applications, compliance, and right-to-work checks. The practice is under the leadership of Emma Morgan, who regularly assists clients with strategic options for bringing overseas nationals into the UK, as well as compliance and risk matters related to sponsor licences for skilled workers. Alice Balgarnie is a key contact within the team and has experience in handling skilled worker applications, sponsored worker applications, and dependant applications.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- Shoosmiths' North West Immigration team combines strong technical expertise with a highly commercial and pragmatic approach. The team provides clear, practical advice on business immigration matters, including sponsor licence compliance, visas, and workforce mobility. What sets the team apart is its responsiveness, accessibility, and understanding of our operational needs. The lawyers work collaboratively to deliver efficient, business-focused solutions. Compared to other firms, Shoosmiths offers the strength of a national practice alongside a personalised service. We value the team's commercial awareness, proactive approach, and ability to navigate complex immigration requirements with confidence - led by the superb Partner, Emma Morgan.
- Very professional and friendly. Explained everything in plain English and guided me through the process with great patience. Always available and no question was too much trouble or silly!
- Depth of knowledge. Availability and nothing is too much trouble. Willingness to guide and assist.
- I had the pleasure of being assisted by Rachel Harvey and Alice Balgarnie. What stands out about them is their approachability and the way they handle matters with a genuine sense of care. They are consistently kind and respectful, which makes interactions feel easy and constructive rather than purely transactional. I’ve particularly valued their personalized approach—they take the time to understand the specific situation and tailor their work accordingly, rather than applying a standard solution. They are also very clear when asking for information, which helps move things forward efficiently and avoids unnecessary back-and-forth. Another important quality is the sense of calm they bring. Even in more complex situations, they communicate in a way that is measured and reassuring, which makes a real difference. Overall, it’s this combination of clarity, attentiveness, and a client-focused mindset that sets them apart.
- The team is highly professional and extremely responsive. Their turnaround time is exceptional, and the legal advice we receive is consistently accurate and commercially sound.
Key clients
- CityFibre
Practice head
Emma Morgan; Rachel Harvey
Other key lawyers
Alice Balgarnie