Department profile
Baker McKenzie

Employment: Employer

UK Guide 2026 : London (Firms)


Baker McKenzie

Rankings

About

Provided by Baker McKenzie

Baker McKenzie's London Employment practice is known as the market leading practice, both domestically and internationally for high end, strategic employment work. We are a growing team in a market where competitors are shrinking and are unrivalled by any other firm in this area by the quality of our practice, our global capabilities and the expertise of our lawyers.

Clients reach out for litigation and internal investigations support on their most high value and strategic matters. The team is strong in Financial Services and particularly experienced in dealing with investigations, disciplinary and accountability reviews arising from regulatory related matters for banks and financial institutions. We have a strong track record in defending clients in this sector in relation to discrimination, whistleblowing, clawback and forfeiture of deferred compensation, and High Court bonus claims. Providing cost-effective outside-of-the-box solutions is a key focus of the practice, which has led to the development of numerous innovations including globally managed employment services, legal project management and client-centric pricing.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Employment: Employer - London (Firms)

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For
Baker McKenzie has a highly experienced employment team that covers the whole spectrum of employment law, with expertise in restrictive covenants, discrimination and transactional matters. It stands out for its expertise in industrial relations and European Works Councils. The firm frequently represents global employers, with regular work for those in the retail and financial services sectors. It is also widely recognised for its ability to handle complex international employment issues including multi-jurisdictional restructuring processes. Baker McKenzie is increasingly well known for expertise in equal pay matters, as well as its handling of sensitive investigations.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Baker McKenzie acted for Addison Lee in the defence of misclassification claims brought by over 600 current and former drivers alleging worker status and underpayments of holiday pay and the national minimum wage.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • The Bakers team combines deep legal expertise with a practical, business-focused approach. They tailor advice to our company culture and risk tolerance level.

    Employment: Employer respondentUK
  • Their expertise in the area is a given. However, it is their responsiveness, commercial approach and approachability that distinguishes them from other employment law industry leaders.

    Employment: Employer respondentUK
  • They are highly intelligent, experienced litigators in the most complex areas of discrimination. The team offer incredible attention to detail and in-depth knowledge of cases.

    Employment: Employer respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Band 1Monica Kurnatowska
    Band 1Monica Kurnatowska

    Monica Kurnatowska

    Monica Kurnatowska has impressive experience handling complex employment disputes and advisory matters for major clients. She is known for her expertise in trade union matters, as well as diversity and inclusion, particularly in relation to equal pay issues.
    • She continues to set the standards.

      Employment: Employer respondentUK
    • She is an exceptional lawyer.

      Employment: Employer respondentUK
    • Monica is highly intelligent, hugely experienced and can cut through noise and complexity with ease to provide pragmatic solutions and sensible advice.

      Employment: Employer respondentUK
  • Band 3Julia Wilson
    Band 3Julia Wilson

    Julia Wilson

    Julia Wilson is a London-based partner at Baker McKenzie who is adept at assisting clients with cross-border employment projects. She also handles advisory matters ranging from data protection issues to whistle-blowing compliance.
    • Julia brings clarity, responsiveness and calm confidence to every legal matter.

      Employment: Employer respondentUK
    • She's really great and a super lawyer.

      Employment: Employer respondentUK
    • Julia is incredibly responsive. She is solution-focused, while ensuring we understand risks and alternatives, and is a great partner to us.

      Employment: Employer respondentUK
  • Band 4Kim L Sartin
    Band 4Kim L Sartin

    Kim L Sartin

    Kim Sartin is a partner at Baker McKenzie known for her work advising on the employment aspects of significant international transactions. She is also recognised for her knowledge of industrial relations and for her experience in the TMT sector.
    • Kim is fantastically easy to work with.

      Employment: Employer respondentUK
    • Kim is technically very strong. She takes a hands-on approach and provides excellent leadership.

      Employment: Employer respondentUK
  • Band 4Stephen C M Ratcliffe
    Band 4Stephen C M Ratcliffe

    Stephen C M Ratcliffe

    Stephen Ratcliffe has a client base that includes household-name clients and leading names in the financial services sector. His wide-ranging practice sees him advising on matters such as equal pay disputes, large restructuring exercises and discrimination claims.
    • He is extremely responsive and practical with his guidance, and he has a talent with communicating complex legal issues in an easy to understand way.

      Employment: Employer respondentUK
    • Stephen is astute, practical and extremely commercially aware.

      Employment: Employer respondentUK
    • He is incredible. He has a wonderful manner and he calmly deals with complex and urgent situations.

      Employment: Employer respondentUK
  • Band 5Annabel Mackay
    Band 5Annabel Mackay

    Annabel Mackay

    Annabel Mackay draws praise for her work on behalf of financial sector clients and large corporates. She regularly advises employers on their defence of whistle-blowing and discrimination claims.
  • Band 5Carl Richards
    Band 5Carl Richards

    Carl Richards

    London-based Carl Richards focuses his practice on transactional and advisory employment mandates with a particular specialism in multi-jurisdictional projects. His clients include those in the real estate, private equity and international funds sectors.
    • Working with Carl makes the experience a good experience, even when it is a challenging matter. He is very solutions-oriented.

      Employment: Employer respondentUK
    • Carl has a massive depth and breadth of knowledge. He is very good at explaining matters across multiple jurisdictions.

      Employment: Employer respondentUK
    • Carl is a hugely talented partner and has the most wonderful manner with clients.

      Employment: Employer respondentUK
  • Band 6Jonathan Tuck
    Band 6Jonathan Tuck

    Jonathan Tuck

    Jonathan Tuck advises clients on a broad spectrum of employment law matters, including TUPE matters, trade union litigation and modern slavery issues. He is also experienced in handling global M&A transactions, as well as whistle-blowing and discrimination claims.
    • He is reliable and knowledgeable.

      Employment: Employer respondentUK
    • Jonathan is extremely responsive and has strong commercial awareness. His advice is concise and he provides valuable thought partnership.

      Employment: Employer respondentUK
    • He is extremely client-focused and and delivers strong results.

      Employment: Employer respondentUK
  • Up and ComingMatthew Berridge
    Up and ComingMatthew Berridge

    Matthew Berridge

    Matthew Berridge is a senior associate at Baker McKenzie. He assists clients with a wide variety of employment matters including regular work on transactions spanning multiple jurisdictions.
    • Matthew is a very good lawyer and has good management skills.

      Employment: Employer respondentUK
  • Associates to watchRob Marsh
    Associates to watchRob Marsh

    Rob Marsh

    Rob Marsh is an associate in Baker McKenzie's employment team and earns praise for his work on investigations and litigation.

Ranked Individuals at Baker McKenzie (10)

London (Firms)

Members

Provided by Baker McKenzie

Baker McKenzie has rankings in the following guides

What success is built on

Chambers is the leading data and intelligence partner for the legal sector.

Explore thought leadership