Chris Benson

Practice Areas

Chris has been Leigh Day’s Managing Partner since April 2021 having previously been the head of the employment department since its formation. He specialises in high value employment & discrimination multi party group claims. Chris and his team also undertake head office trade union advisory work.

Career

Chris trained at the Disability Rights Commission and qualified as a lawyer in 2004.

He joined Leigh Day in 2006 to establish the firm’s discrimination and employment law practice.

Chris has particular expertise in disability discrimination and equal pay. He also has substantial Appeal and High Court experience and was involved in two leading equal pay cases before the Supreme Court.

Chris and his team are leading the large scale employment law challenges to public sector pensions. He acted for 250 judges in their successful discrimination claim in the Court of Appeal. He also acts on behalf of tens of thousands of police officers in their pension claim.

The Leigh Day employment team the Lawyer employment team of the year award in 2013 and 2015, before the category was retired.

Professional Memberships

Discrimination Law Association, Employment Lawyers Association, Industrial Law Society.