The group at Brodies LLP consists of ‘professional and approachable individuals’, who assist blue chip clients with the full spectrum of employment issues. Tony Hadden spearheads the practice, which is active in the transportation, financial services and energy sectors. Hadden is equipped to handle negotiations with trade unions, while Elaine McIlroy has a wealth of immigration expertise. Lynne Marr is a key name for misconduct and discrimination investigations, acting for both public and private sector clients. Fiona Herrell forms the bedrock of the team’s energy market presence, often working on both domestic and cross-border matters. Will Rollinson is a key name within the practice.

Burness Paull LLP houses a broad practice which represents lucrative clients in tribunals, and assists with the development of internal employment policies. Team lead Mandy Laurie is a key name for sporting institutions seeking assistance with executive terminations. David Morgan often acts in industrial relations disputes in the food and beverage sector, while Rachel McKay is experienced in corporate transactions and trade union disputes.  In August 2024, Claire Scott joined the team from Pinsent Masons LLP, bringing her extensive experience in traditional and renewable energy employment matters. Jennifer Skeoch is equipped to handle the full gamut of employee disputes. At the same time, Tricia Walker and Andrew Knight left the firm.

Alison Woods leads the team at CMS, and stands out due to her cross border expertise. The team assists a diverse client base of tech companies, financial institutions and publicly listed companies. Woods often assists clients with employee transfer negotiations, the introduction of benefits and internal reorganisations. Gillian MacLellan is a key contact for international banks and energy companies, offering TUPE advice and harassment investigation support. Catriona Aldridge routinely draws on her prior expertise working in financial services markets. Melanie Lane left the firm in October 2024.

Anderson Strathern is noted for assisting public authorities with discrimination claims. The practice, which is led by Chris McDowall, is active within the private sector, assisting clients with industrial action management, unfair dismissal claims and redundancy exercises. McDowall has a particularly strong focus on the education sector, and Dawn Dickson excels at advising on senior executive exits, pension negotiations and staff training. Andrew Brown regularly advises on issues concerning trade unions and HR departments, and Robin Turnbull is a key figure within the team.

The ‘extremely knowledgeable’ Laura Salmond leads the offering at BTO Solicitors LLP, which is known for assisting public authorities. The team frequently advises on TUPE transfers, discrimination investigations and whistleblowing allegations. Salmond has extensive tribunal experience, and is adept at handling complex employee dismissal procedures and internal disciplinary processes. Caroline Carr has a wealth of experience in the healthcare sector, while Dawn Robertson stands out for her depth of expertise in private equity employment work, harassment claims and executive exits.

Morton Fraser MacRoberts‘ ‘extremely fast, competent and friendly’ team advises public authorities, hospitality groups and technology companies with a range of complex work. Practice head Innes Clark is noted for providing ‘outstanding levels of advice’ on executive termination and equal pay claims. Lindsey Cartwright acts for a broad client base and is recommended for her skills at handling employment tribunal claims. ‘Stand out individual’ Sarah Gilzean focuses on workplace discrimination matters and trade union disputes. David Walker and Alan Delaney are both key names within the practice.

Addleshaw Goddard is noted for its ‘solution-orientated approach’ and its aptitude for matters within the financial services, transportation and energy sectors. The ‘ever-calm’ David Hughes leads the team, assisting clients with strike action, and executive termination issues. The arrival of Anya Duncan bolstered the team in October 2024. Having joined from Stronachs LLP, Duncan regularly offers TUPE advice and corporate support.

Clyde & Co has a particularly strong track record in handling equal pay claims, and is well-equipped to advise public authorities and private clients. ‘Patient and pragmatic’ practice head Stephen Miller is experienced in employment tribunal claims and trade union management. Frances Ross routinely acts in high-profile discrimination litigation, while Graham Mitchell is experienced in a wide range of employment law issues and appears regularly at the Employment Tribunal.

The group at Dentons is led by the ‘exceptional’ Alison Weatherhead. The practice is active in the technology, energy and financial services sectors, offering both internal support and representation in employment tribunal proceedings. Weatherhead is well-known for her investigation work, while Mark Hamilton is noted for his extensive industrial relations expertise. Elouisa Crichton stands out for her vast knowledge of employment issues relating to high-value commercial transactions.

Harper Macleod LLP often assists both large publicly listed corporations and public authorities, and is led by Bruce Caldow. The practice frequently handles discrimination-related investigations, trade union disputes and employment tribunal claims. Caldow, who is particularly active in the sports sector, handles all manner of employment matters with a strong focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. Scott Milligan specialises in TUPE cases, while Ewan Stafford advises both international corporations and local councils.

The ‘extremely capable’ employment team at Pinsent Masons LLP assists educational institutions, energy companies and major multinational corporations. The team, which is led jointly by Susannah Donaldson and Sarah Munro, is well-equipped to handle the full range of issues relating to workplace discrimination claims. The '‘extremely technical’ Donaldson stands out due to her extensive diversity, equity, and inclusion and equality law knowledge to the group. Munro is a reference in the energy and shipping sectors.

Thorntons Law LLP handles a diverse caseload, ranging from managing strike action and conducting pre-sale due diligence, to creating resource allocation reports and advocating in the employment tribunal. Department head Noele McClelland often works on executive termination matters and internal restructurings. The ‘fabulous’ Debbie Fellows is adept at handling discrimination and unfair dismissal claims. Rounding out the team, Chris Phillips and Amy Jones are both key names.

At Blackadders LLP, Simon Allison spearheads a team which is known for its ‘expertise in all areas of employment law’. Allison often handles matters relating to employee grievances and redundancy exercises on the employer side but has experience representing private clients as well. The ‘exceptional’ Gillian Donald has notable energy and technology experience, while ‘experts in their field’, Stephen Connolly and Jack Boyle are further key figures within the team.

Eversheds Sutherland offers advice on a broad spectrum of employment matters, ranging from providing corporate support in large M&A transactions, to acting in discrimination and unfair dismissal claims. Euan Smith leads the practice, which has a particularly active presence in the aviation sector. Smith has deep knowledge of energy sector issues, with a strong focus on complex whistleblowing cases. Johnathan Barron assists clients with HR allocations, employment tribunals and TUPE matters.

Lindsays offers TUPE advice, investigation support and tribunal advocacy services to a wide range of clients, maintaining an active presence in the public sector. Department head Ben Doherty is noted for his healthcare sector expertise, and is recommended for his knowledge of strike actions, the defence of employment tribunal claims and executive dismissals. Data protection specialist Kate Wyatt is a key name within the firm’s private sector offering, while Daniel Gorry acts in employment tribunal harassment and discrimination claims.

The group at Shepherd and Wedderburn stands out for its ‘deep expertise in employment law’, advising educational institutions and energy corporations. The practice is led by Neil Maclean, who is adept at handling TUPE matters and industrial relations issues, while Morag Hutchison is a key contact for clients in the retail and financial services sectors. Andrew Knight stands out for his experience in acting in employment tribunal proceedings. Hutchison joined the firm from Burness Paull LLP in March 2024 and was followed by Tricia Walker and Knight in September.

The practice at Shoosmiths handles a varied workload for its diverse client roster of local authorities, retail corporations and transportation companies. Michael McLaughlin has extensive industrial relations expertise and leads the team, assisting clients with discrimination claims and the modification of internal schemes. Key members of the team include TUPE specialist Jennifer Wright and Grace Watson, who often handles disputes.

Aberdein Considine frequently represents financial services entities, sport clubs and energy corporations, and the team is led by Robert Holland. The practice offers employment support relating to M&A and the disposal of share capital. Holland is well known for advising on cross border matters in the media and healthcare sectors. Nicola Gray focuses on corporate support work and employee management.

Katie Russell leads Burges Salmon LLP‘s employment offering, advising blue chip clients on internal investigations, executive dismissals and matters concerning discrimination in the workplace. The practice is active in the energy, retail and public sectors. Russell is well-versed in TUPE transfers and employment tribunal claims. Eilidh Wood offers extensive insolvency and acquisitional employment expertise.

Gilson Gray is routinely instructed by oil & gas corporations, healthcare companies and sporting institutions. The team is led by Stuart Robertson, who is noted for his expertise in the petroleum industry. Founding partner Graham Millar specialises in TUPE disputes and is adept at handling complex discrimination claims in the Employment Tribunal.

Weightmans LLP boasts a strong track record in the retail and hospitality sectors, often acting in Employment Tribunal litigation, discrimination investigations and whistleblowing claims. Department head Ingrid McGhee advises clients on the full gamut of contentious employment matters, and Paman Singh is a key name within the practice.