Withers, Employment | Chambers UK Profile

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About

Provided by Withers

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.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Employment: Employer - London (Firms)

5

Band 5

What the Team is Known For

Withers is 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. The 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, focusing on representing mid-sized financial services groups and high-end brands. It also has notable expertise in advising on regulatory employment matters.

View ranking table

Work Highlights

Withers represented Sacha Woodward Hill, Chief Legal Officer of Formula One Management, on the client's exit from the business.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Their advice is always pragmatic, timely and tailored to our specific business needs. What really distinguishes them is their ability to balance legal risk with commercial realities.

Employment: Employer respondent
UK

Withers' advice is comprehensive, prompt and nuanced. Proper consideration is given to organisational structure, sector and culture alongside legislative principles.

Employment: Employer respondent
UK

The responses have been thorough and displayed a good understanding of the specifics of our industry.

Employment: Employer respondent
UK

Their advice is always pragmatic, timely and tailored to our specific business needs. What really distinguishes them is their ability to balance legal risk with commercial realities.

Employment: Employer respondent
UK

Withers' advice is comprehensive, prompt and nuanced. Proper consideration is given to organisational structure, sector and culture alongside legislative principles.

Employment: Employer respondent
UK

The responses have been thorough and displayed a good understanding of the specifics of our industry.

Employment: Employer respondent
UK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

1

Elaine Aarons

1

Band 1

Elaine Aarons is a partner at Withers who 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. Aarons is an advocate for women in the workplace, having founded One Loud Voice for Women, an organisation which aims to achieve workplace gender equality.

Elaine is a formidable expert in this field.

She has technical expertise plus a drive to set out the best possible case for her client.

Elaine is the best in her field, acts with high levels of integrity, always leads with the legal arguments and has a super sharp legal mind.

1

Meriel Schindler

1

Band 1

Head of the London-based employment team at Withers, 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. Schindler is also known for regularly advising employers on domestic and international employment matters.

Meriel is responsive and provides a good balance between thoroughness and attention to detail. She knows when to push and when to be pragmatic.

She is simply excellent.

Meriel is one of, if not the best, lawyers I have ever worked with.

5

Claire Christy

5

Band 5

Co-lead of the employer practice at Withers, Claire Christy is distinguished by her wide-ranging employment practice. She is well regarded for her work with Italian-headquartered companies.

She is a fantastic professional.

6

Hugh More

6

Band 6

Hugh Moore is an experienced partner within the Withers employment team. He advises clients on contentious employment matters and demonstrates particular expertise in the health and social care sector.

Hugh More is a pleasure to work with.

He's very bright and a very good employment lawyer.

U

James Hockin

U

Up and Coming

James Hockin is a partner at Withers who assists clients with a variety of issues including employment terminations, whistle-blowing and disciplinary investigations. Hockin is dual-qualified in New York and England and Wales, so is well placed to advise on multi-jurisdictional matters.

James is an excellent operator.

He is a smart, commercial lawyer.

James provided excellent, pragmatic advice.

James is masterful when it comes to strategy, diligent across every detail, razor-sharp, always ahead of the game and has instinctively sound judgement.

James is very clear and incisive in all his advice. He set realistic expectations as to likely outcomes and was clear in dealing with contentious matters as they arose.

Alexandra Thompson

Associates to watch

Alexandra Thompson is a senior associate who acts as a key resource to a number of organisations seeking guidance on general HR matters, as well as employment grievances.

Alexandra Thompson is personable, practical, commercially-minded and suggests very helpful, pragmatic steps.

She is a good partner and team player.

Alexandra is absolutely excellent.

Filter by

London (Firms)

Employment: Employer

4

Meriel Schindler

4

Band 4

5

Claire Christy

5

Band 5

6

Hugh More

6

Band 6

Alexandra Thompson

Associates to watch

Employment: Senior Executive

1

Elaine Aarons

1

Band 1

1

Meriel Schindler

1

Band 1

U

James Hockin

U

Up and Coming

Members

Provided by Withers

Alexandra Thompson

Meriel Schindler

Withers has rankings in the following guides

5

Employment

Global 2025

UK

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