Department profile
Lewis Silkin

Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation

UK Guide 2026 : London (Firms)


Lewis Silkin

Rankings

About

Provided by Lewis Silkin

We help you to navigate the world of work nationally and internationally.

Our team of over 200 lawyers across Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Ireland and Hong Kong offers unrivalled expertise and scale in all employment law matters, backed up by 1,500 experts across the world through our global alliance. We’ve been ranked Band 1 in the legal directories for over 15 years.

We partner with you to plan ahead and develop workforce strategies tailored to your organisation. We’re equally at home helping multinationals navigate workforce strategy across jurisdictions or providing agile advice to fast growth startups. Our approach is holistic, addressing the full spectrum of workplace needs through proactive prevention, responsive solutions, comprehensive audits, insightful training, and forward-looking horizon scanning, among other tailored services. We ensure your people are supported, and your business can thrive now and in the future.

Alongside our colleagues in Ius Laboris, the world’s leading international HR practice (of which we are the UK, Irish and Hong Kong member), we cut through the complexity of managing a global workforce, providing clients with the best local employment lawyers in one global team.

We also support clients through our low cost, fixed fee helpline and Employment Tribunal service rockhopper, our flexible resourcing service LS In-house and through WORKSPHERE, our people solutions service providing training, HR consultancy, pay and reward services.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation - London (Firms)

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For
Lewis Silkin is recognised for its work for both employers and senior executives in the financial services, retail, advertising, technology and professional services sectors. The firm houses a deep bench of experienced practitioners who routinely act for clients on discrimination and restrictive covenant matters. The firm's recent work has included advising 'gig economy' employers on matters relating to worker status. It also offers a robust practice advising on the employment aspects of large corporate transactions, including those involving TUPE transfers or substantial international elements. Lewis Silkin also boasts specialist expertise in High Court litigation and sensitive investigations.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Lewis Silkin represented Aon in connection with a substantial conspiracy claim seeking injunctive relief and damages, arising from alleged unlawful poaching raids conducted across different jurisdictions, including the UK and South America.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Their knowledge is of course exceptional, however their patience in explaining reasons as well as suggesting alternatives is phenomenal.

    Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
  • Lewis Silkin's advice is unique in that it balances expertise with pragmatism and sensitivity.

    Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
  • The firm offers clear practical advice based on superior subject matter knowledge of labour relations. Their service levels and responsiveness are also first rate.

    Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Senior StatespeopleJames Davies
    Senior StatespeopleJames Davies

    James Davies

    James Davies draws praise for his experience acting on high-level employment matters. Clients turn to Davies for advice on both domestic and international employment matters.
    • James provides good advice to clients and is incredibly experienced.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
  • Eminent PractitionersRichard Miskella
    Eminent PractitionersRichard Miskella

    Richard Miskella

    Richard Miskella receives acclaim for his work on behalf of major employers and senior executives. He is particularly noted for his expertise advising clients on investigations and workplace culture change. Miskella has been the joint managing partner of Lewis Silkin since 2019.
    • Richard is an exceptional lawyer whose curiosity and drive for social change combined with his expertise and pragmatism makes for an unimprovable combination.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
    • Over the years Richard has been a helpful and supportive sounding board and I have appreciated his commercial awareness alongside his brilliant legal knowledge.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
  • Band 1David Hopper
    Band 1David Hopper

    David Hopper

    David Hopper is a partner at Lewis Silkin who is commended for his expertise in collective employment law and is sought out by employers for his expertise in this area.
    • He is a subject matter expert. All things considered, David is one of the best attorneys I have worked with.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
    • David's expertise is unparalleled.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
    • He has always been an incredible support with the required expertise and understanding of our business.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
  • Band 1Michael Anderson
    Band 1Michael Anderson

    Michael Anderson

    Michael Anderson co-leads the High Court employment litigation practice group at Lewis Silkin. He is valued for his High Court experience, particularly in team move litigation, and is noted for his work with financial services clients.
    • Michael Anderson is great. He knows his stuff and is effective.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
    • Michael Anderson is smart, results-oriented and extremely responsive.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
    • Michael Anderson has extraordinary experience.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
  • Band 1Michael Burd
    Band 1Michael Burd

    Michael Burd

    Michael Burd is a partner in Lewis Silkin's employment offering. He has extensive experience of advising employers on high-level employment disputes and is noted for his work on cross-border matters.
  • Band 1Nicholas Hadaway
    Band 1Nicholas Hadaway

    Nicholas Hadaway

    Nicholas Hadaway is a partner at Lewis Silkin who is well known for his work for senior-level employees working in the City of London. He advises clients on high-value disputes and is regularly called upon to handle cases involving discrimination and whistle-blowing.
    • Nicholas was a pleasure to work with and very user-friendly. He was extremely responsive, supportive and quick to provide commercial guidance, when necessary, because of his wealth of experience.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
    • Nicholas Hadaway is an outstanding advocate, solicitor and commercial intellect.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
    • He was very professional, thorough and detail-oriented.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
    • Nicholas in an excellent solicitor. He gets right to the heart of a dispute and tries to bring in the client's desired outcome at proportionate cost. He is a pleasure to work with.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
  • Band 2Toni Lorenzo
    Band 2Toni Lorenzo

    Toni Lorenzo

    Co-lead of the High Court employment litigation practice at Lewis Silkin, Toni Lorenzo is highly experienced in handling High Court disputes and is lauded as an expert on restrictive covenants and team moves. He is recognised for his work with both employers and employees.
    • Toni is totally committed, great on the law and on the cases. He is great to work with and very impressive.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
    • Toni is without doubt one of the most talented and dedicated partners in the market.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
    • He is an excellent, first rate employment lawyer.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
  • Band 2David Samuels
    Band 2David Samuels

    David Samuels

    David Samuels is a partner in the employment litigation team at Lewis Silkin. He is recommended by clients for his proficiency in handling team move and whistleblowing claims.

  • Band 3Colin Leckey
    Band 3Colin Leckey

    Colin Leckey

    Colin Leckey is distinguished for his expertise in employment cases relating to worker status and equal pay. His clients include technology and financial services firms.
    • Colin Leckey is an incredible lawyer.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
    • Colin is fantastic. He is unbelievably bright, but commercially sharp and a pleasure to work with.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
    • Colin is particularly skilled at dealing with complex client management issues and conducting high court and tribunal litigation, in which he's highly experienced.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
  • Band 4Karen Baxter
    Band 4Karen Baxter

    Karen Baxter

    Karen Baxter is head of the investigations and regulatory practice at Lewis Silkin. She is particularly sought after for her workplace investigations expertise, as well as her experience with discrimination and harassment claims before the Employment Tribunal.
    • Her advice is commercial, practical and creative, ensuring we have solutions that work for the business. Even in the most complex of situations, she's very credible in front of senior stakeholders.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
    • Karen is very knowledgeable, provides strong, commercial and practical advice and is a delight to work with.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
    • Karen is excellent at investigations.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
  • Band 4Sean Dempsey
    Band 4Sean Dempsey

    Sean Dempsey

    Sean Dempsey is a partner at Lewis Silkin who is recognised for his work advising household-name clients on sensitive employment matters. He regularly advises clients in the technology sector. Dempsey is well placed to provide cross-jurisdictional employment advice across the UK and Ireland as he is triple-qualified.
    • He's one of the best, most responsive and commercial partners I've ever worked with.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
    • He has excellent technical knowledge and an ability to apply that commercially.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
    • Sean has been great managing and always helps us find innovative solutions to our problems.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
  • Band 4Tarun Tawakley
    Band 4Tarun Tawakley

    Tarun Tawakley

    Lewis Silkin partner Tarun Tawakley draws on his experience as the former head of employment law and commercial litigation at Deliveroo to provide expert advice to clients that operate in the 'gig economy'. He regularly advises clients on compliance and worker status issues.
    • He is an extremely good strategic thinker and very imaginative.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
  • Band 6Lee Nair
    Band 6Lee Nair

    Lee Nair

    Lee Nair is a partner at Lewis Silkin and specialises in international employment matters. She co-leads the firm's TUPE and contingent worker specialist groups and regularly advises on M&A, restructurings and outsourcings.

    • Lee Nair is excellent and very pragmatic. She provides excellent communication, both written and verbal, and is always willing to think outside the box with creative solutions.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
    • She is a phenomenal individual to work with, with incredible knowledge and patience in approaching issues.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
    • She's done great work in the employment space.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
  • Band 6Shalina Crossley
    Band 6Shalina Crossley

    Shalina Crossley

    Shalina Crossley expertly conducts investigations into workplace discrimination and misuse of confidential information allegations. Her recent work includes advising on sexual and financial misconduct.
    • She will always prioritise her client. You feel wholly supported and deeply empowered by her ability to cut through to the heart of an issue and devise a strategic and powerful response.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
    • Shalina is exceptional. She provides clear, commercial advice imbued with care. She quickly understands a problem and addresses it with clarity and pragmatism.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
  • Up and ComingCarla Watling
    Up and ComingCarla Watling

    Carla Watling

    Carla Watling is a managing associate at Lewis Silkin. She is called upon by employers to handle team move litigation and transactional support. Watling has particular expertise in handling matters pertaining to recruitment law and employment status.
    • Carla is an excellent lawyer who is very commercially savy and superb for employee competition disputes.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
    • Carla Watling is really excellent.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
    • She has first class knowledge in this space.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
    • Carla is very experienced.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
    • She's a responsive, pragmatic professional and approachable.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
  • Up and ComingLaetitia Cooke
    Up and ComingLaetitia Cooke

    Laetitia Cooke

    Laetitia Cooke is a managing associate at Lewis Silkin. Her practice sees her handle a broad range of matters for senior individuals, with recent cases involving whistle-blowing, harassment and discrimination.
    • Laetitia has a superb eye for what matters in a particular case and how to achieve the relevant commercial outcome.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
  • Associates to watchAnna Bond
    Associates to watchAnna Bond

    Anna Bond

    Anna Bond is a managing associate at Lewis Silkin with expertise on DE&I issues, discrimination and investigations.

    • Anna provides sound, commercial and practical advice in a calm and measured way.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
    • Anna provides an exceptional client service, working as an extension of our team to deliver commercial and pragmatic advice. She is personable, credible and an expert on many complex matters.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK
    • Anna is always very on top of everything. She has really thought ahead about the issues and what will be engaged in a case.

      Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation respondentUK

Ranked Individuals at Lewis Silkin (22)

London (Firms)

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