Employment: Employer
UK Guide 2025 : London (Firms)
Band 4
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+44 20 7427 6400About
Provided by Charles Russell Speechlys
The team is known for advising premium major corporates and professional service firms as well as managing complex senior executive exits and severance negotiations, with a sector focused approach. This allows for the team to be commercial as well as legal advisers. The department was recently commended for its work in The Times survey of Best Legal Firms 2020.
The group have a number of high profile clients including Leon, Ivy Collection, Brasserie Blanc, Nike, Pearson, Wagamama, Hotel Chocolat, Leicester City, Parkson Mobile and Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe.
Key areas of focus in proactively supporting these clients include:
• Gender Pay Reporting: The team continues to provide broad-ranging help to clients; from an assessment of current pay structures to decide whether there are any potential equal pay issues; to the provision of a job evaluation scheme report.
• Gig Economy: The Government is taking steps to address employment and self-employment status, but it is not simple or quick. The team keeps clients abreast of updates/changes and were approached by high profile media trades, such as the BBC, to discuss the issue.
• Diversity and Inclusion: the team continues to offer training and advice in relation to diversity and inclusion and this year welcomed leading neurodiversity expert Daniel Aherne for a client seminar on recognising and maximising the talents of a neuro-diverse workforce.
Chambers Review
Charles Russell Speechlys provides expert employment advice to corporate groups and has particular experience handling severance negotiations, complicated exits and the employment aspects of large corporate transactions. The firm serves a broad range of clients including notable work for retail and sports organisations. It also has experience working with employers and senior individuals from the financial services sector.
Work Highlights
- Charles Russell Speechlys advised Odey Asset Management on allegations of non-financial misconduct againstCrispin Odey.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"CRS helped us manage a very delicate situation and they were always prompt in their responses."
"I found the lawyers at CRS to be highly professional and insightful. They were also quick to respond to any questions."
"Simply put without them I don’t know where I would be today. There was always someone there to help."
"CRS helped us manage a very delicate situation and they were always prompt in their responses."
"I found the lawyers at CRS to be highly professional and insightful. They were also quick to respond to any questions."
"Simply put without them I don’t know where I would be today. There was always someone there to help."
Notable Practitioners
Head of the employment group at Charles Russell Speechlys, Nick Hurley handles a full range of employment matters including disputes in the Employment Tribunal and the High Court. He also regularly leads on non-contentious work including restructurings and TUPE transfers.
"He's a real thought leader in the employment law world."
"The level of knowledge Nick has is clear and he is able to put you right at ease. Knowing he was always at the end of the line for me gave me so much comfort."
Michael Powner is a partner at Charles Russell Speechlys who regularly provides transactional employment support to clients from a range of industries, often handling matters involving cross-border elements. He is experienced in advising on dismissals and the employment aspects of M&A.
"He has a fantastic understanding of the law and is always available."