DEPARTMENT PROFILE

Withers LLP

Employment

5 ranked lawyers

Band 5

London (Firms)

UK 2022 View ranking table

chambers review

department information

Ranked Lawyers

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What the team is known for

Renowned for its employment advice to senior professionals, including those working in media, technology and financial services. The team advises these clients on contract negotiations at the beginning of their employment, right through to exit negotiations. Lawyers at Withers are also highly capable when it comes to disputes resulting from breakdowns of those employment relationships. The team also works with employer clients, with a focus on mid-sized financial services groups and high-end brands. Notable expertise advising on regulatory employment matters.

Strengths

Clients say: "It is a real pleasure to work with Withers because although it's a global firm, its attention and client support is personalised."

Interviewees describe the lawyers as "excellent team players who are very good at trying to spot innovative angles on legal cases that will give you leverage on a settlement."

"They are knowledgeable, they put the client first, and the depth and breadth of the firm is also distinctive," according to a source, who reveals that when working with the firm "the process is seamless, productive and fast."

Work highlights

Advised Frederic Boillereau, the former head of currencies and commodities at HSBC, on a whistle-blowing claim against the bank and a number of its senior employees.

Notable practitioners

Alexandra Thompson acts as a key resource to a number of organisations seeking guidance on general HR matters as well as employment grievances.
"She always delivers to deadlines and she is a very strong communicator who is clear and concise." "She is responsive, clear and provides outstanding support to clients."

Claire Christy is co-head of the employment practice at Withers. She is distinguished by her wide-ranging practice as well as for her work with Italian-headquartered companies.
"Her analysis and arguments put the case in the best way." "She is resourceful, well respected and extremely knowledgeable."

Elaine Aarons is distinguished by the depth of her experience advising senior executives. She is noted for her work on terminations and investigations, and is valued for her understanding of the financial services sector. She is an advocate for women in the workplace, having founded One Loud Voice for Women, an organisation which aims to achieve workplace gender equality.
"Her strengths were the commerciality of her advice, backed up by a clear understanding of the legislative framework. She also meets all the deadlines and gives empathetic advice." "She is incredibly knowledgeable, and on the tactical side she gets it so right."

James Hockin assists clients with a variety of issues including employment terminations, whistle-blowing and disciplinary investigations.
"He is very easy to talk to and he is able to understand and explain complex issues very quickly and clearly."

Meriel Schindler maintains an excellent reputation for her work representing senior employees. Her diverse practice sees her advising clients on exits, team moves and restrictive covenants.
"Meriel really knows all the ins and outs of employment law, and she knows where to exert pressure." "She is a very engaging and engaged individual who is very nice to work with and she is very focused on a delivering a result for her client."

Department Information

This content is provided by Withers LLP.

Overview

Withers' respected team of employment lawyers is widely recognised for handling complex and sensitive cases for both employers and senior executives. With leading practitioners at the cutting edge of law, we pride ourselves on achieving outstanding results for our clients, whatever their unique situation.

Renowned for our work with senior executives and high-net-worth individuals across a wide array of sectors, including PR/media, luxury brands and fashion, financial services and charities, we are experts in complex international employment negotiations and disputes. Together with our regulatory specialists, we also have a notable expertise advising on regulatory employment matters for clients across the financial services sector.

We build long-standing relationships as trusted advisors with many well-known employers, private, public and not-for-profit companies. Acting as an extension of their team, clients call on us for everything from day to day advice to employment disputes, restructuring or crisis management.

Representing both employers and senior executives gives us unique insight into the tactics of the 'other side', offering practical advice from both sides of the spectrum to ensure we stay one step ahead.