‘The practice blends being entirely authentic whilst also being very corporate and professional. I feel a genuine rapport with all of the people I work with and believe that I am being represented by the legal equivalent of an F1 team.’

‘Mat Newham – very pleasant to deal with. Professional at all times. Pragmatic with approach and advice. Availability and engagement is excellent. Ben Lewins – collaborative working with HR Team on redrafting employment contracts, specific on flexibility clauses. Dynamic approach and able to adapt to our needs. Everyone we have dealt with has been proactive and in contact regularly.’

‘Catherine Hepworth puts client needs ahead of her own, responding when out of the office to ensure that issues can be dealt with or passed to an appropriate member of the team. Consistently provides a very responsive service, more so than any other legal firm I have previously dealt with. Catherine’s communication is clear and focused on achieving the client’s aim, whilst highlighting and seeking ways to mitigate risk. Talented, knowledgeable and trusted.’

‘Pragmatic approach and solution-focused. Approachable and easy to get along with, always contactable within a sensible time frame.’

‘All of the team are genuinely great people to work with. If one of the team not available there is always someone available to assist if needed.’

‘Personable, flexible in approach and treads a good balance between commercial decision-making and the overall culture of a company. Provides options with risks and benefits in a straightforward manner. Gives equal focus to the straightforward areas of advice as to the complex areas and doesn’t patronise. Thinks outside of strict legal parameters to encompass the wiser HR type considerations.’

‘What sets the employment team apart is the people. The team is absolutely brilliant to work with, both from a People Team/ HR perspective and from an in house legal team perspective. They are responsive, commercial, pragmatic and above all, a pleasure to deal with. I really benefit from the employment lawyers roundtable session they host with other senior in house counsel and they provide a horizon scan to us which enables us to better prepare for legislative change coming down the track.’

‘Elizabeth Graves is an outstanding employment lawyer and partner to our business. She is commercially focused and is able to explain complicated concepts tailored to her audience (be it an HR team member or a fellow lawyer). She knows our business and tailors her advice accordingly. She just gets it.’

‘Forward thinking and innovative in terms of use of legal technology. Strong paralegal support and improvements in billing over the last 12 months. Collaborative and supportive thought partners. Excellent coordination of a global support model for helpline type queries.’

‘The main reason we continue to use M&R is because they are so commercially aware. As a senior HR professional, I don’t just want the black and white response, I want to understand our risks to make an informed decision. I can read the black and white in an employment law text!’

‘Having worked with David Mills for several years, he is very aware of my knowledge and as a result doesn’t waste time stating the obvious or basics but meets me where my knowledge ends in a very commercial way. He is extremely responsive and always available and will always give me the different perspectives and risks so I can make an informed decision.’

‘Often used when require KC advice and support to identify appropriate connections.’

‘Having worked with both Kim Wedral and Shelley King on a few complex ER matters, including a tribunal claim, they both stand out. They give prompt, pragmatic advice and do so whilst understanding the commercial needs of our business. When dealing with these matters I felt reassured and was clear on our plan of action after talking things through with them.’

‘The team at Mishcon employment group provide great practical legal advice, having spent time learning and understanding our business and our strategic goals.’

‘Kim Wedral-Rooke and Rachel Ashwood (partners) are great to work with because they know our business and provide great strategic direction for our various UK labor and employment needs. I can always rely on them to provide practical and effective legal advice.’

‘I have worked with Rob Hickford for 15 years, he is a very commercial lawyer in that he always strikes the right balance between business commerciality and law. I trust his advice implicitly and have never had any reason to doubt it. I enjoy working with the broader team equally as much and on a wide range of advice.’

‘The team puts together very relevant training and deliver it in a fantastic way which is easy to absorb and understand.’

‘The team we have met are all very accessible and personable. They are excellent at communication and explaining options in a clear and concise manner. We have had some very tricky situations arise over the past 12 months, which is very unusual for us as a business. The team have enabled us to navigate these issues in a practical manner and have been very clear about risk and opportunity. This has included a number of different stakeholders from our side being involved with quite different concerns and points of view. The Ashtons team have been patient and consistent in their support and advise.’

‘The Greene and Greene team are my absolute « go to ». As well as providing practical and commercial advice, they explain the law very clearly and concisely. Greg and the team have spent time getting to know our business and understands the impact to our situation when giving us legal advice.’

‘Greg Jones – the pragmatic nature of the advice he provides and the speed of response is unique in my experience of other law firms. Greg also has a unique ability to distill complex matters into a way that is easy to understand without becoming condescending.’

‘They are experts in their field, willing to work collaboratively with specialist in other fields, curious and affable.’

‘Val Lambert (Partner) is exceptional. She is very diligent, conscientious, always available on behalf of her clients to talk through their cases, and very hands on throughout the trial process. Without doubt one of the best employment solicitors I have worked with in over 20 years.’

‘Valerie Lambert is excellent. Strong client care; dedicated and hardworking; straight-talking. Fierce in defence of client’s position but able and willing to provide clear and practical advice as to merits and strategy. Seems able to operate effectively under work pressure.’

‘HCR Law is very responsive to clients’ needs. They take time to get to know the client and their issues and respond in a timely manner. We have found their advice to be sound and pragmatic. Communication with the solicitors is excellent.’

‘Matthew Potter is a superb solicitor. His knowledge of employment legislation is extremely sound, he takes time to listen and then advises very pragmatic solutions.’

‘Our experience with the Howes Percival employment team has been incredibly positive. One of the firm’s standout features is their commercially focused advice. They have an exceptional ability to balance legal advice with commercial decisions, understanding the real-world impact of their guidance. Their advice is not just legally sound it’s tailored to be practically implementable in a business context. They always show us a deep understanding of the challenges and decisions businesses face daily.’

‘What makes Howes Percival unique is their team’s approachability and warmth. It’s easy to engage with them, knowing you’ll be met with friendly and supportive advice. This welcoming culture extends beyond the immediate points of contact to include their entire team—from interns, receptionists to legal professionals across various departments. Their approachability makes dealing with legal challenges less daunting and creates a genuine sense of support and collaboration.’

‘Hilary Aldred (Partner) is a standout lawyer and tactician, who knows the law back to front, and has an impressive client following. The team has unparalleled experience of employment- and discrimination-related issues in the education and university field. They also undertake and manage complex and sensitive investigations with aplomb. They are very well organised, across the detail of their cases, and hardworking. Sophie Whitbread (Managing Associate) is a partner in the making, and one to watch.’

‘I have always been impressed with the balance of legal advice and commercial acumen, taking into consideration the business culture for a more tailored approach. The team have always been open surrounding their level of expertise and when it is appropriate for other team members to take the lead. In the case of requesting international legal advice, this could not be accommodated in house, however the team went out of their way to suggest other firms within their wider network and who could support.’

‘Sophie Whitbread is a fantastic employment associate. She is quick, very clever and excellent at taking a commercial approach to litigation: balancing fiercely protecting her clients best interests against not incurring unnecessary costs.’

‘I have found each member of the Employment team at Prettys to be accessible, supportive and pragmatic in their advice. The on-line sessions that the team run are informative and help clients to keep up-to-date with essential employment law changes during the year.’

‘Matthew Cole, Vanessa Bell and Sheilah Cummins are all approachable and I have found all of them to take a collaborative approach whenever I have sought their advice. The take time to listen to the « problem » and I trust their advice. The whole team is responsive, including the support team, which, perhaps unlike other disciplines in law, in employment law terms is invariably essential.’

‘I would highly recommend Prettys Solicitors as an outstanding solicitor who has consistently demonstrated exceptional legal acumen, dedication and professionalism. I have worked with Prettys Solicitors since joining our business in 2022, I have witnessed first hand their commitment to providing top notch legal presentation and counsel to clients. The Employment Relations Team possess a profound understanding of employment law, coupled with a remarkable ability to analyze complex legal issues and devise effective strategies to address them.’

‘The team’s ethos permeates from the top down. Across the spectrum of seniority of practitioners there is a resilient calm to team members’ approach to the tasks in hand which are addressed with consummate skill and professionalism.’

‘Incredible Knowledge: The team’s depth of legal knowledge is truly remarkable. From complex legal principles to nuanced regulations, their understanding and application of the law have been instrumental in navigating our cases effectively. Their ability to grasp intricate details and provide insightful analysis has instilled confidence in us as their client.’

‘Exceptional Support: Throughout our engagement, the team has demonstrated unwavering support and dedication. They have not only provided expert legal advice but also offered invaluable guidance every step of the way. Their proactive approach to addressing concerns and promptly responding to enquiries has made the legal process smooth and reassuring.’

‘Nicola Cockerill is our employment Law go-to. Her pragmatic approach is always appreciated.’

‘Quick to respond with knowledge and support for all our requirements.’

‘We have dealt with an extremely professional person at Buckles for several years, this continuity helps manage and support me and my staff.’

‘The team’s strengths and capabilities are key in terms of making this practice unique.’

‘Standout partner includes Kelly Sayers – professional, knowledgeable, prompt communications.’

‘Rachel Flynn is the kind of lawyer you want on your side – concise, focused and personable. She knows her ‘stuff’.’

‘I had used the practice for an unrelated personal matter and did not hesitate to engage them to act on my behalf with my employer. Key for me is that they are local, were timely in responding to my enquiry, and able to connect me with the right individual to act on my behalf for a time sensitive settlement agreement.’

‘I worked with June Salmon, senior associate, who provided legal advice in the matter of a settlement agreement with my previous employer at the time of my retirement. I was a senior executive with a pharmaceutical company and the agreement dealt with matters of confidentiality, non-solicitation, non-compete, a period of exclusive availability etc… June recommended that there was a need to discuss and amend some of the terms prior to signature with my employer which she did on my behalf. She was diligent in staying in touch with my employer as there was a time sensitive due date stipulated within the agreement that required attention.’

‘June Salmon’s tenacity and approach to the discussions ensured that the matter and agreement was in place, and that the terms of the agreement were balanced and fair to me. The qualities I particularly valued in June were directness, clarity in communication, timeliness and tenacity and attention to detail. I felt valued as a client and as a person, that my needs were understood and that she was most definitely ensuring that I had the best advise in finalising the agreement, pointing out consequences of certain language and recommending changes which were accepted in the final agreement. ’

‘We have been a client for over a year, and we are incredibly happy with the professional advice received. The professional advice and assistance received are around drafting template contracts of employment for permanent staff and casual worker contracts, liaising with the HR team on its handbook, drafting secondment agreements between TRAID and the relevant legal entities and drafting secondment agreement template letters for client to issue to seconded employees.’

‘We have been working with Emma Suzuki on employment legal matters and Lisa Basch on overall HR employment matters. The assistance and advice received are pretty clear and easy to understand and implement on the strategic direction of the charity.’

‘We are able to have a dedicated HR Consultant who has worked with us for a number of years and knows us incredibly well. Where additional support is needed this is provided and colleagues are always well briefed on issues before they contact us. We find it very reassuring that we are able to work with a team that knows us so well and are able to provide support in a way that is so efficient.’

‘Woodfines LLP are a great practice that have supported us on various business matters over the last 6 years. They have a large team and have specialists in all areas that you may need business support with. ’

‘The team at Woodfines LLP that have supported us over the years are amazing. Extremely knowledgable and professional, they are able to help us find a solution no matter the issue, and very efficient in their handling of any matters. Nick Sayer is one of the best solicitors that we have ever dealt with. His knowledge in his field of expertise is unrivalled and we would recommend their services to any business.’