At Freeths LLP, Rebecca Sawbridge heads the department, which provides specialist employment advice to a wide range of employers on a national and regional basis. Clients include various household names, as well as numerous public sector employers. Areas of focus span restructurings and TUPE issues as well as complex employment tribunal claims. Lynne Ingram is another name to note.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘Availability for advice – it's pretty much the same-day contact/response. The advice is concrete, and balances the risks and the business needs.'

  • ‘Honesty, not using "jargon" other than where relevant. Ability to provide direct advice which recognises the risk but is not excessively risk averse. Ability to build relationships – no sense of "corporate" and aloof – very approachable.'

  • ‘We have found Freeths' advice invaluable no matter what the issue, from the simple queries to more complex cases. Principally dealing with Rebecca Sawbridge. Billing transparent.'

  • ‘Rebecca Sawbridge always makes time for any queries and delivers very practical advice. Rebecca's experience and ability helps protect the business and ensure we treat employees fairly. We would highly recommend Rebecca Sawbridge.'

Key clients

  • ALDI Stores Limited
  • DPD Group UK Limited
  • Sofidel Group
  • Nuffield Health
  • Shoe Zone Retail Limited
  • Center Parcs
  • National Express Limited
  • ERIKS Industrial Services Limited
  • Rhenus Warehousing Solutions Lutterworth Limited
  • Mettler Toledo Limited
  • Laser Sailboats Limited
  • Envisage Group Limited
  • Parkway Derby Limited
  • Panache Lingerie Limited
  • National Express Limited
  • Paul Smith Limited
  • The Reflex Group Limited
  • Goodridge Limited
  • Preston Innovations Limited
  • Birmingham Metropolitan College
  • EH Smith (Builders Merchants) Limited
  • The British Horse Society
  • AP Racing Limited
  • West Midlands Growth Company
  • JS Wright & Co Ltd
  • The Alumasc Group plc
  • Sonderwell Group
  • The Vegan Society
  • Solidus UK Solutions Limited
  • Dudley College of Technology
  • Pattonair Limited
  • FSB Technology (UK) Limited
  • Amelore HR
  • Lucideon Limited
  • Ardmore Group
  • Emma Bridgewater Limited
  • Portmeirion PLC
  • LT Pub Management Ltd
  • James T Blakeman Ltd
  • Breedon Group plc
  • Goodfish Group Limited

Work highlights

  • Acting as Amelore’s in-house counsel by providing employment law support for the benefit of its clients, which include Charles Tyrwhitt, Not on the High Street, L’Occitane, Monika Vinader and Mazars.
  • Carried out a ‘root-and-branch’ audit and assessment of Ardmore Group’s diversity and inclusion initiatives, policies and practices, recruitment and retention, which included making recommendations to the board and working closely with the board and the company’s human resources team during the planning and implementation stages.
  • Acting for Birmingham Metropolitan College in the defence of multiple tribunal claims including for automatic unfair dismissal and pregnancy and maternity discrimination.

Lawyers

Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Rebecca Sawbridge

Other key lawyers

Lynne Ingram