Department profile
Simmons & Simmons LLP

Employment

Global Guide 2026 : UK


Simmons & Simmons LLP

Rankings

About

Provided by Simmons & Simmons LLP

Our Employment, Incentives and Pensions group includes our leading employment law team, and in the UK, a comprehensive pensions practice and an incentives practice.

As sector specialists, we have regulatory expertise few can match. Combined with our strength in all aspects of employment law – including litigation and advisory work – it’s plain to see why we act for more financial institutions than our competitors. We also act for pharmaceutical and healthcare companies and global telcos.

Along with employment law, we also advise on pension scheme risk management and remuneration strategies.

Across the practice internationally, many of us have completed secondments, meaning we understand the commercial realities of our clients from the inside. 

We provide legal advice that is clear, succinct and actionable. 

We provide cohesive advice on the most complex, cross-border cases, because we think and operate as one team – from Hong Kong to Shanghai, London and continental Europe. We also work closely with the firm’s wider network, for example, in London we collaborate regularly with the city’s largest financial regulation team to bring our clients the expertise they need to handle some of their most sensitive matters.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Employment - UK

Band 1

Band 1


What the Team is Known For
Simmons & Simmons has a leading employment law practice that advises employers across a wide range of issues, with strengths in complex litigation and transactional support. The firm also assists clients with the full spectrum of advisory matters, including investigations and sensitive disciplinary mandates. It provides a deep bench of skilled lawyers who are highly experienced in acting for high-profile clients from the financial services sector, especially investment banks, hedge funds and asset managers. The firm also advises TMT and public sector clients, as well as other law firms.

Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Simmons & Simmons represented Barings in connection with their large-scale, cross-border team move. This was one of the largest cross-border team moves in the asset management industry in over 20 years.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • What sets this employment law team apart is their deep understanding of the UK’s complex and evolving legal landscape.

    Employment respondentGlobal
  • It's like having a global dream team on speed dial. Their service level is excellent, quick, efficient and always reliable. Whether it's a tight deadline or a complex query, they respond so fast.

    Employment respondentGlobal
  • The employment law team demonstrates an exceptional blend of legal acumen, cross-border insight and client focused service delivered in a personable way.

    Employment respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Eminent PractitionersJulian Taylor
    Eminent PractitionersJulian Taylor

    Julian Taylor

    Julian Taylor is the senior partner at Simmons & Simmons. He maintains his reputation as a go-to adviser for major employers on contentious and non-contentious matters. Taylor regularly advises clients on whistle-blowing, restrictive covenants and the employment implications of corporate transactions.
    • Julian Taylor is a very experienced employment lawyer.

      Employment respondentGlobal
  • Band 1Andrea Finn
    Band 1Andrea Finn

    Andrea Finn

    Andrea Finn heads the UK employment offering at Simmons & Simmons. She is considered a trusted employment adviser by leading financial services firms and handles a wide variety of work including whistleblowing claims, investigations and advice on the SMRC.

    • Andrea is brilliant and very clever. Her knowledge of employment law and employment issues is almost encyclopedic.

      Employment respondentGlobal
  • Band 4Fiona Bolton
    Band 4Fiona Bolton

    Fiona Bolton

    Fiona Bolton handles a full range of contentious and non-contentious work for financial services clients. She has substantial disputes experience, often acting in both the Employment Tribunal and the High Court.
  • Band 4Mandy Perry
    Band 4Mandy Perry

    Mandy Perry

    Mandy Perry is a partner at Simmons & Simmons who has substantial expertise in advising major employers on both complex contentious and non-contentious employment matters. She is skilled at counselling clients on discrimination, whistle-blowing, sexual harassment and unfair dismissal claims.
    • Mandy Perry is technically fantastic, very sensible and has a lot of common sense.

      Employment respondentGlobal
  • Band 5Olly Jones
    Band 5Olly Jones

    Olly Jones

    Oliver Jones is best known for his work advising financial services clients on employment matters. His expertise includes a full range of employment litigation and issues relating to the SMCR. Jones also has substantial experience advising fintech businesses on employment law matters.
    • Olly truly cares about his clients, making them feel like a priority. He makes complex issues feel easy to manage.

      Employment respondentGlobal
    • Olly Jones is extremely clear and to the point.

      Employment respondentGlobal
    • Olly’s approach to advising us as a business is a key reason that Simmons are highly respected, not just by our legal team but by the wider business.

      Employment respondentGlobal
    • Olly is strategic, thorough and always ready for a curveball. He breaks down complex issues into clear actionable steps, making sure you are never in the dark.

      Employment respondentGlobal
  • Up and ComingPeter Lockwood
    Up and ComingPeter Lockwood

    Peter Lockwood

    Peter Lockwood is a managing associate at Simmons & Simmons who advises international banks and FTSE 250 companies on a wide spectrum of employment issues. His capabilities span both litigation and non-contentious matters.
    • Peter Lockwood is really brilliant at managing complex matters cost effectively.

      Employment respondentGlobal
    • He is absolutely fantastic. His advice is sensible, pragmatic and holistic.

      Employment respondentGlobal

Ranked Individuals at Simmons & Simmons LLP (6)

UK

Members

Provided by Simmons & Simmons LLP

Simmons & Simmons LLP has rankings in the following guides

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