Department profile
Freshfields

Employment

Global Guide 2026 : UK

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Freshfields

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About

Provided by Freshfields

Please visit the Freshfields website for more details about our work in this category:

https://www.freshfields.com/en-gb/capabilities/services/employment-incentives-and-pensions/

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Employment - UK

Band 2

What the Team is Known For
Freshfields is noted for its work with large employers in complex employment matters such as remuneration disputes and whistle-blowing allegations. It has strong expertise in advising clients from the financial services sector. The firm provides additional expertise in transactional employment issues arising from corporate deals, including industrial relations resulting from M&A activity. Other areas of work include investigations and boardroom disputes. It has demonstrable expertise in cases involving cross-border and multi-jurisdictional issues.
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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Freshfields advised Cinven on the employment aspects of its strategic investment into Grant Thornton.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Freshfields needed little guidance to understand the complexities of our case. Once we sent them the relevant materials, they absorbed it quickly and were able to implement them.

    Employment respondentGlobal

  • Their team, between them, brings a wide knowledge base and together they are a strong team.

    Employment respondentGlobal

  • The team are easy to deal with and deliver what you need in a straightforward way.

    Employment respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Kathleen Healy
    Kathleen Healy

    Kathleen Healy

    Kathleen Healy leads the London employment team at Freshfields in her role as head of people and reward. She has a wide-ranging employment practice that sees her advising global employers on both contentious and non-contentious matters. Healy offers particular expertise in workplace investigations and the employment implications of major commercial transactions.

    • She is one of the best in class.

      Employment respondentGlobal

    • She's very practical, gave very good guidance and had excellent judgement.

      Employment respondentGlobal

    • Kathleen Healy is amazing.

      Employment respondentGlobal

    • She is such a good lawyer and such a generous one. She is also charismatic in the way she operates.

      Employment respondentGlobal
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  • David Mendel
    David Mendel

    David Mendel

    David Mendel is a partner at Freshfields who is frequently called upon by clients across the financial and professional services sector to handle employment litigation, as well as non-contentious advisory work.

    • He is responsive, thorough, thoughtful and impactful in his work. He is also a lovely person to work with.

      Employment respondentGlobal

    • David is an outstanding partner, who I trust and value. He expertly balances providing counsel, with his deep expertise and differentiated understanding of my business strategy and goals.

      Employment respondentGlobal

    • David has always been responsive, his technical employment law knowledge is excellent. We trust his advice as well as his execution.

      Employment respondentGlobal

    • David delivers pragmatic and creative solutions to complex employment matters. He is highly responsive, offering calm, considered advice that reflect both legal acumen and commercial insight.

      Employment respondentGlobal
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  • Holly Insley
    Holly Insley

    Holly Insley

    Holly Insley is a partner at Freshfields who regularly assists clients in the financial services sector with a range of employment issues. She is adept at advising on sexual harassment, whistle-blowing and discrimination claims.

    • Her advice is always balanced, thoughtful and fully explained. She is always supportive and listens to our views and concerns and these are always taken into consideration.

      Employment respondentGlobal

    • Holly is always responsive and gives technically sound and clear, commercial advice.

      Employment respondentGlobal

    • Holly is excellent all round. She is very bright, thoughtful and commercial in her approach.

      Employment respondentGlobal
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Ranked Individuals at Freshfields (3)

UK

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