Employment: Employer
UK Guide 2025 : Northern Ireland
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
(028) 9031 4466About
Provided by A&L Goodbody
The Employment team at A&L Goodbody is the largest specialist employment law group in Northern Ireland. The team assists and advises organisations across a variety of sectors on a wide range of employment related issues.
Particular areas of expertise include: strategic restructuring matters, succession planning and workforce audits for due diligence purposes; practical understanding and application of TUPE protocols; litigation handling; trade unions advice; corporate migration; employee data audits; corporate transactions; dispute resolution processes and preparation of submissions and attendance before the Courts and the Industrial and Fair Employment Tribunals.
The team is a thought leader in the market, providing advisory and bespoke training services for clients on all HR matters and notably, on Tribunal representation and key developments in employment law. The team regularly provides employment law updates for HR practitioners, company directors and in-house counsel.
Our areas of expertise include:
Tribunal and High Court representation
Drafting, maintenance and training on HR policies and protocols
Corporate migration and Visa advices
Trade Union recognition and relationship
Employment transactional advice on Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A)
transactionsDiscrimination awareness and training for management
Policies and procedures
Service agreements
Chambers Review
A&L Goodbody offers a comprehensive employment service that advises on matters ranging from restructures and TUPE to employment litigation and mediation. The firm is notable for its expertise and client following in the retail sector. Its employment lawyers also act for an enviable array of public and private sector clients in the media, finance and utility sectors.
Work Highlights
- A&L Goodbody represented CitiGroup in multiple cases, including defending claims of unfair dismissal, disability/sex discrimination and constructive dismissal.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"A&L Goodbody's attention to detail is fantastic, and the level of service always feels personal."
"The team are incredibly commercial in their outlook. They go above and beyond in providing advice, which allows that knowledge to be implemented in a way which is of a practical and tangible benefit."
"A&L Goodbody provides prompt, pragmatic advice tailored to the client's needs. There is a good mix of staff with expertise across all core areas of employment law."
"The firm has an excellent understanding of employment law, with the ability to guide clients through complex issues. They are always pragmatic in approach with the aim of managing risk at all times."
"A&L are always able to provide a combination of sound legal guidance with practical considerations that help us find the most reasonable approach for each situation."
"A&L Goodbody's attention to detail is fantastic, and the level of service always feels personal."
"The team are incredibly commercial in their outlook. They go above and beyond in providing advice, which allows that knowledge to be implemented in a way which is of a practical and tangible benefit."
"A&L Goodbody provides prompt, pragmatic advice tailored to the client's needs. There is a good mix of staff with expertise across all core areas of employment law."
"The firm has an excellent understanding of employment law, with the ability to guide clients through complex issues. They are always pragmatic in approach with the aim of managing risk at all times."
"A&L are always able to provide a combination of sound legal guidance with practical considerations that help us find the most reasonable approach for each situation."
Notable Practitioners
Aisling Byrne regularly represents employers in employment disputes involving discrimination, whistle-blowing and unfair dismissal claims. She is additionally well placed to advise on non-contentious employment matters.
"Aisling is an excellent lawyer with a breadth of knowledge that is both relevant and generously applied. Her calm approach to matters evidences the wealth of experience she has."
"Aisling is excellent - she's practical and supportive and takes the complexity out of issues."
"Aisling is a highly experienced lawyer who provides sound, comprehensive advice."
"She is very practical, sensible and firm in her representation of clients."
Head of the employment team at A&L Goodbody, Gareth Walls has a broad practice, providing businesses with advice on their day-to-day operations as well as contentious issues relating to discrimination and harassment.
"Gareth is the best in class and unrivalled in terms of knowledge and commerciality."
"Gareth is highly experienced. He adopts a robust yet pragmatic approach to problems and is acutely aware of the issues facing us."
Shirley Blair is particularly noted for her contentious expertise and handling of tribunal claims.
"Shirley is a brilliantly competent lawyer with a fierce determination when it comes to protecting clients."
"Shirley is excellent to deal with and very attentive to the subject matter at all times."
"Shirley is phenomenally talented at what she does. Her instructions are clear and pragmatic, and delivered in a friendly manner."
"Shirley is a highly experienced lawyer who provides sound, comprehensive advice."
"Shirley provides very practical and timely advice."
Ranked Lawyers at
A&L Goodbody
Northern Ireland
Clients
Provided by A&L Goodbody
Abercrombie & Fitch (Hollister)
Allstate NI
British Airways
Dalradian Gold Limited
GlaxoSmithKline
MAC/Estee Lauder
Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce
Northern Ireland Water
Poundland
The Irish Football Association
Industries
Provided by A&L Goodbody
Banks
Charities / Not for Profit
Commercial & Professional Services
Consumer Product Manufacturing
Education
Energy
Financial Services
Food & Drink Producers
Health Care
Media
Mining & Metals
Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences
Software & Computer Services
Sports
Telecommunications
Utilities