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Withers

Employment: Employer

UK Guide 2026 : London (Firms)

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Withers

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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)

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.
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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • 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 respondentUK

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

    Employment: Employer respondentUK

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

    Employment: Employer respondentUK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Elaine Aarons
    Elaine Aarons

    Elaine Aarons

    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.

      Employment: Employer respondentUK

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

      Employment: Employer respondentUK

    • 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.

      Employment: Employer respondentUK
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  • Meriel Schindler
    Meriel Schindler

    Meriel Schindler

    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.

      Employment: Employer respondentUK

    • She is simply excellent.

      Employment: Employer respondentUK

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

      Employment: Employer respondentUK
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  • Claire Christy
    Claire Christy

    Claire Christy

    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.

      Employment: Employer respondentUK
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  • Hugh More
    Hugh More

    Hugh More

    Hugh More 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.

      Employment: Employer respondentUK

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

      Employment: Employer respondentUK
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  • James Hockin
    James Hockin

    James Hockin

    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.

      Employment: Employer respondentUK

    • He is a smart, commercial lawyer.

      Employment: Employer respondentUK

    • James provided excellent, pragmatic advice.

      Employment: Employer respondentUK

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

      Employment: Employer respondentUK

    • 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.

      Employment: Employer respondentUK
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  • Alexandra Thompson
    Alexandra Thompson

    Alexandra Thompson

    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.

      Employment: Employer respondentUK

    • She is a good partner and team player.

      Employment: Employer respondentUK

    • Alexandra is absolutely excellent.

      Employment: Employer respondentUK
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Ranked Individuals at Withers (7)

London (Firms)

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