Employment
Stevens & Bolton LLP is highly proficient in skilled worker applications, sponsor licence issues, and TUPE transfers. Kerry Garcia oversees the practice and is knowledgeable of employment matters surrounding immigration, including staff transfers following business acquisitions. Jackie Penlington is well-versed in leave-to-remain matters, while Nyasha Gardner handles Home Office audit compliance issues.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Mentions
Profile
Work Department
Employment and immigration.
Position
Partner and head of the employment, pensions and immigration team. Undertakes both immigration and employment work, mainly for employers. Experienced in all aspects of business immigration law. Advises employers and individuals (including investors) in relation to the points based immigration system. This includes assisting employers with the sponsorship registration process, carrying out audits to check compliance with sponsors’ obligations, assigning certificates of sponsorship and entry clearance and extension applications. Also advises in relation to indefinite leave to remain and naturalisation. Also advises in relation to all aspects of contentious and non-contentious employment matters, including drafting contracts and staff handbooks, advising on dismissals and termination packages, redundancies and reorganisations, discrimination, family friendly rights and advising in relation to and preparing for tribunal claims. Kerry has a particular expertise in relation to TUPE in connection with acquisitions and outsourcing.
Career
Trained: Dentons (then Denton Wilde Sapte); qualified: 2002; joined Stevens & Bolton: 2006; made partner in present firm: 2013.
Memberships
Employment Lawyers Association, Immigration Lawyers Association.
Education
Exeter College, Oxford University; College of Law, Store Street, London; Law with German Law, 1st class, MA (Oxon) (1999), LPC – Distinction (2000).
Content supplied by Stevens & Bolton LLP
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Their approach is very customer-focused, giving personal support with exceptional listening skills to understand requirements.' 'The team is both pragmatic and highly responsive when unexpected problems arise.' 'Jackie Penlington is very supportive and brings clarity to the most turgid corners of immigration law. Options are laid out very clearly, and questions answered promptly and directly. Her deep experience results in a calm, personal approach which enables progress to be made quickly towards agreed objectives without fuss or drama.' 'Nyasha Gardner has proved stellar in dealing with an urgent situation which arose.' 'I appreciate the team's quick responsiveness and deep knowledge.' 'They are extremely professional, and are very strong on immigration law and employment law.' 'Their response time is extremely good.' 'In addition to being extremely knowledgeable, Jackie Penlington is remarkably patient and composed, making her an excellent guide through what can often feel like an overwhelming process.'
Key clients
- Asahi UK Limited Asahi Europe & International Limited BMI Group Holdings UK Limited BMI Group UK Ltd BMI Group Manufacturing UK Ltd Papa John’s (GB) Limited PJ Corp Stores Ltd Sony Music Publishing UK Ltd Sentinel Performance Solutions Ltd Wanner International Ltd Collins River Enterprises Limited (Thames Clippers) Sonardyne International Limited Featurespace Limited
Work highlights
Acted for BMI on all of its UK immigration applications, including advising on the business visitor route.
Advised Sony Music Publishing UK Limited in relation to its UK immigration matters, including Skilled Worker applications.