Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP is active for national and international clients on employment and immigration matters, and has particular expertise in the education sector. The department is a key name for numerous prominent clients in higher education, and covers visa applications, compliance matters, and training. ‘Stand-out lawyer’ Nerys Ireland leads the team alongside Francesca Smith and Fiona Otter. Ireland works between Cardiff and Birmingham as part of the firm’s wider education offering, and has supplementary employment expertise. Smith has particular strength in the skilled worker and student visa route, and is experienced in advising on compliance audits.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Francesca Smith is incredibly helpful - always willing to go the extra mile to help. The extent the team goes to in order to make sure their clients are at ease is satisfying to see. We as a company have a lot of trust and faith in Eversheds Sutherland.’
‘The Eversheds Immigration team have an impressive and in-depth knowledge of the practice area, together with extensive experience of guiding clients through the various and often complex processes. Their no-nonsense and pragmatic approach provides clients with confidence and reassurance.’
‘Nerys Ireland is a stand-out lawyer in this field, whom I was very fortunate to have been recommended. She is very ably supported and has been absolutely dependable, very responsive and extremely efficient.’
'They are available at short notice and are extremely responsive to our calls for assistance.'
'Nerys Ireland – is approachable and talks to us in terms that we understand which in turn enables us to process the advice.'
'Francesa Smith – has been instrumental in helping us shape new Policies and understands our business.'
'The team's knowledge on staff immigration matters is excellent, particularly where this crosses over with employment law.'
'Eversheds Sutherland has a particular strength in articulating how immigration law can be applied in complex organisational functions where detail matters and where the law, at times, has to be interpreted.'
'Nerys Ireland and Francesca Smith have an excellent understanding of how universities operate, their commercial context and the importance of having students at the centre of organisational thinking and risk management.'
'The extent the team goes to, in order to make sure their clients are at ease is satisfying to see. We as a company have a lot of trust and faith in Eversheds Sutherland.'
Key clients
- University College London
- University of Bristol
- London South Bank University
- Birmingham City University
- Rhondda Cynon Taf
- Leeds Trinity University
- Leonard Chesire
Work highlights
Played an instrumental role in overhauling University College London’s immigration compliance framework, with the aim of the university transitioning from an outsourced model to an in-house compliance function.
Representing Leonard Cheshire, a residential care home company which provides key front line services to those with disabilities, at its Skilled Worker Home Office audit.
Providing comprehensive legal support in obtaining a UKVI Sponsor Licence for Rhondda Cynon Taf to facilitate the recruitment of skilled healthcare and social work professionals under the Health and Care Visa route.
Lawyers
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Nerys Ireland; Francesca Smith; Fiona Otter