Ranking tables

Employment | Global

UK

The Employment rankings table below has been designed to provide the most in-depth insights and reviews of the top ranked lawyers and law firms. The firms included in our rankings have been recommended by in-house counsel, other third-party experts and private practice lawyers. Our comprehensive research ensures you have all the information needed when looking to purchase legal services across UK.

S

Senior Statespeople

  1. Peter J Frost Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP
  2. James DaviesLewis Silkin
E

Eminent Practitioners

  1. Charles Wynn-Evans
    Charles Wynn-Evans Dechert LLP
  2. Julian Taylor
    Julian Taylor Simmons & Simmons LLP
  3. Lisa MayhewBryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
  4. Richard MiskellaLewis Silkin
2

Band 2

  1. Alistair Woodland
    Alistair Woodland Clifford Chance LLP
  2. Catherine Taylor CMS
  3. Christopher Fisher
    Christopher Fisher Mayer Brown International LLP
  4. Ian Hunter Bird & Bird
  5. Paul Griffin Norton Rose Fulbright
  6. Richard Yeomans Addleshaw Goddard LLP
  7. Stefan Martin Hogan Lovells
  8. Tim Leaver Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP
  9. Daniel NaftalinMishcon de Reya LLP
  10. Ed MillsTravers Smith LLP
  11. Joanna BlackburnMishcon de Reya LLP
  12. Joanna ChattertonFox Williams LLP
  13. Katie ClarkKeystone Law
  14. Marian BloodworthFox Williams LLP
  15. Paul QuainLittler
5

Band 5

  1. Annabel Mackay
    Annabel Mackay Baker McKenzie
  2. Anne Sammon Pinsent Masons
  3. Carl Richards
    Carl Richards Baker McKenzie
  4. Claire Christy Withers
  5. Crowley Woodford
    Crowley Woodford Ashurst
  6. David Mendel
    David Mendel Freshfields
  7. David Sims DAC Beachcroft LLP
  8. David Speakman DAC Beachcroft LLP
  9. Georgina Rowley DAC Beachcroft LLP
  10. Graham Green
    Graham Green Eversheds Sutherland
  11. Hannah Mahon Eversheds Sutherland
  12. Hannah Netherton CMS
  13. Helen Farr Taylor Wessing LLP
  14. Janette Lucas Squire Patton Boggs
  15. Jennifer McGrandle
    Jennifer McGrandle Dechert LLP
  16. Kim L Sartin
    Kim L Sartin Baker McKenzie
  17. Matthew Leake Kennedys
  18. Michael Powner Charles Russell Speechlys
  19. Nick Hurley Charles Russell Speechlys
  20. Nick Wright Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP
  21. Nicola Ihnatowicz Trowers & Hamlins LLP
  22. Nicola Whiteley Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP
  23. Olly Jones
    Olly Jones Simmons & Simmons LLP
  24. Philip Linnard Slaughter and May
  25. Ruth Buchanan
    Ruth Buchanan Ashurst
  26. Sarah Harrop Addleshaw Goddard LLP
  27. Sinead Casey
    Sinead Casey Linklaters
  28. Sophie White Eversheds Sutherland
  29. Steven Cochrane CMS
  30. Tim Spillane Bird & Bird
  31. Adam WymanTravers Smith LLP
  32. Ann BevittCooley LLP
  33. Aron PopeFox Williams LLP
  34. Caroline BakerLittler
  35. Catherine TurnerBryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
  36. Christopher StackCooley LLP
  37. Dan Begbie-ClenchDoyle Clayton
  38. Daniel L PeytonMcGuireWoods London LLP
  39. David MurphyFox Williams LLP
  40. Donna SharpKPMG Law UK
  41. John HayesConstantine Law
  42. Lydia ChristieHoward Kennedy LLP
  43. Merrill AprilCM Murray LLP
  44. Nikola SouthernKingsley Napley LLP
  45. Raoul ParekhLittler
  46. Richard FoxKeystone Law
  47. Stephen RavenscroftWedlake Bell LLP
  48. Tarun TawakleyLewis Silkin
  49. Victoria ParryOsborne Clarke LLP
  50. Virginia AllenEY Law
U

Up and Coming

  1. Emma Byford
    Emma Byford Dechert LLP
  2. Jonathan Goldsworthy Bird & Bird
  3. Jonathan Tuck
    Jonathan Tuck Baker McKenzie
  4. Katherine Fox
    Katherine Fox Mayer Brown International LLP
  5. Nick Marshall
    Nick Marshall Linklaters
  6. Daisy JonesFox Williams LLP
  7. Dorothée GiretKPMG Law UK
  8. Matthew WoodMishcon de Reya LLP
  9. Sam Murray-HindeHoward Kennedy LLP
  10. Shalina CrossleyLewis Silkin

Associates to watch

  1. Alexandra Thompson Withers
  2. Anvita Sharma Hogan Lovells
  3. Damian Babic
    Damian Babic Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP
  4. Gordon Bartlett
    Gordon Bartlett A&O Shearman
  5. Hannah Martin
    Hannah Martin Ashurst
  6. Kate Galloway DAC Beachcroft LLP
  7. Matthew Berridge
    Matthew Berridge Baker McKenzie
  8. Oliver Spratt Morrison Foerster
  9. Rob Marsh
    Rob Marsh Baker McKenzie
  10. Rose Jakeman DAC Beachcroft LLP
  11. Carla WatlingLewis Silkin
  12. Domonique McRaePayne Hicks Beach LLP
  13. Katherine PopeBryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
  14. Leigh JanesWallace LLP
  15. Rose SmithDoyle Clayton
  16. Sarah BakerTravers Smith LLP
  17. Thomas Pennington-HareFox Williams LLP

1

Band 1

  1. A&O Shearman
    1
    A&O Shearman
    Employment
    2025 | Band 1 |

    The firm is a leading name in the employment space and enjoys an enviable reputation for the service it provides to major players in the financial services and media sectors. The team remains at the forefront of hot-button issues including data protection, privacy and whistle-blowing. It continues to be called upon by its high-profile employer client base to advise on business-critical issues, including a wealth of work relating to the enforcement of restrictive covenants following executive departures as well as workplace investigations. The firm is well placed to advise on cross-border employment matters and also advises large multinational employers on general multi-jurisdictional compliance issues.

  2. Baker McKenzie
    1
    Baker McKenzie
    Employment
    2025 | Band 1 |
    Baker McKenzie has a highly experienced employment team that covers the whole spectrum of employment law, with expertise in restrictive covenants, discrimination and transactional matters. It stands out for its expertise in industrial relations and European Works Councils. The firm frequently represents global employers, with regular work for those in the retail and financial services sectors. It is also widely recognised for its ability to handle complex international employment issues including multi-jurisdictional restructuring processes. Baker McKenzie is increasingly well known for expertise in equal pay matters, as well as its handling of sensitive investigations.
  3. Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP
    1
    Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP
    Employment
    2025 | Band 1 |
    Herbert Smith Freehills' employment team is widely recognised for the strength of its employment litigation work and offers a wealth of experience in handling all manner of complex employment tribunal and High Court matters. The firm also works with employers on board-level disputes and investigations. It regularly advises large employers from the retail sector and financial services.
  4. Simmons & Simmons LLP
    1
    Simmons & Simmons LLP
    Employment
    2025 | Band 1 |
    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.
  5. Lewis Silkin
    Employment
    2025 | Band 1
  6. Mishcon de Reya LLP
    Employment
    2025 | Band 1
2

Band 2

  1. Clifford Chance LLP
    2
    Clifford Chance LLP
    Employment
    2025 | Band 2 |
    Clifford Chance houses a strong employment practice that is well known for advising high-profile corporate clients and financial institutions. It is adept at handling complex employment issues arising from large-scale transactions, employment litigation and investigations. The firm also provides advice on issues such as dismissals, whistle-blowing and senior exits. The firm's capabilities extend to matters with cross-border elements.
  2. Clyde & Co LLP
    2
    Clyde & Co LLP
    Employment
    2025 | Band 2 |
    Clyde & Co is well known for helping insurance clients and financial services institutions with a full range of employment law issues, including regularly advising on team moves. It is able to leverage its international footprint to advise on multi-jurisdictional work. The firm demonstrates notable experience in handling contentious matters. It also has the capability to provide advice on large-scale corporate transactions.
  3. Clyde & Co LLP
    2
    Clyde & Co LLP
    Employment
    2025 | Band 2 |
    Clyde & Co is well known for helping insurance clients and financial services institutions with a full range of employment law issues, including regularly advising on team moves. It is able to leverage its international footprint to advise on multi-jurisdictional work. The firm demonstrates notable experience in handling contentious matters. It also has the capability to provide advice on large-scale corporate transactions.
  4. DAC Beachcroft LLP
    2
    DAC Beachcroft LLP
    Employment
    2025 | Band 2 |
    DAC Beachcroft has a sizeable employment team that works with clients on contentious and non-contentious matters, including both strategic and business-as-usual advice for large financial institutions and clients in the insurance industry. The firm is regularly instructed on complex employment work relating to industrial relations and internal investigations. It is also recognised for its continued expertise in relation to healthcare and the public sector. The firm offers additional expertise in regulatory employment matters, including the SMCR.
  5. Eversheds Sutherland
    2
    Eversheds Sutherland
    Employment
    2025 | Band 2 |

    Eversheds Sutherland is regularly instructed by financial institutions to advise on employment disputes, as well as to provide day-to-day counsel. The firm also offers highly regarded advice on industrial relations issues. It demonstrates additional strength in matters that span multiple jurisdictions and regularly advises on the employment aspects of large transactions. The firm's clients include large corporates, financial services groups and media organisations.

  6. Freshfields
    2
    Freshfields
    Employment
    2025 | Band 2 |
    Freshfields is noted for its work with large employers in complex employment matters such as remuneration disputes and whistle-blowing allegations. It has strong expertise in advising clients from the financial services sector. The firm provides additional expertise in transactional employment issues arising from corporate deals, including industrial relations resulting from M&A activity. Other areas of work include investigations and boardroom disputes. It has demonstrable expertise in cases involving cross-border and multi-jurisdictional issues.
  7. Linklaters
    2
    Linklaters
    Employment
    2025 | Band 2 |

    Linklaters handles high-quality advisory work for an international client base, combined with renowned strength in employment litigation. The firm advises clients on remuneration regulations and senior executive exits, with experience acting in high-value employment tribunal and High Court cases. The department acts for an enviable roster of clients from the financial services sector. It is well suited to advising on cross-border matters. In addition, the team frequently handles sensitive investigations on behalf of employers.

  8. Fox Williams LLP
    Employment
    2025 | Band 2
  9. Littler
    Employment
    2025 | Band 2
  10. Travers Smith LLP
    Employment
    2025 | Band 2
3

Band 3

  1. Addleshaw Goddard LLP
    3
    Addleshaw Goddard LLP
    Employment
    2025 | Band 3 |

    Addleshaw Goddard has an established employment law practice with significant expertise in assisting financial services and retail clients, among others. The firm is experienced in handling challenging litigation and assists clients with defending whistle-blowing claims and with conducting workplace investigations. It is also well equipped to advise on day-to-day and general HR matters, as well as the employment aspects of transactions, including those with multi-jurisdictional elements.

  2. Bird & Bird
    3
    Bird & Bird
    Employment
    2025 | Band 3 |
    Bird & Bird houses an established practice offering high-quality employment advice to both employers and senior employees. The firm is widely recognised for its expertise in the technology sector, as well as for its work for retail and life sciences clients. It advises on both employment disputes and non-contentious matters. The team is able to draw upon the firm's global network of offices to advise on cross-border work.
  3. CMS
    3
    CMS
    Employment
    2025 | Band 3 |
    CMS has a highly experienced team offering advice across all aspects of employment law. The firm has notable disputes expertise, particularly in relation to restrictive covenants and employment tribunal representation. It also advises on the employment aspects of corporate transactions, with the ability to assist large international corporations on issues across multiple jurisdictions. The firm works for a broad client base that includes groups in the media, technology and financial services sectors.
  4. CMS
    3
    CMS
    Employment
    2025 | Band 3 |
    CMS has a highly experienced team offering advice across all aspects of employment law. The firm has notable disputes expertise, particularly in relation to restrictive covenants and employment tribunal representation. It also advises on the employment aspects of corporate transactions, with the ability to assist large international corporations on issues across multiple jurisdictions. The firm works for a broad client base that includes groups in the media, technology and financial services sectors.
  5. Dechert LLP
    3
    Dechert LLP
    Employment
    2025 | Band 3 |
    Dechert has a broad employment practice that is known for its expert knowledge of issues affecting employers in the financial services sector. The firm is adept at handling multi-jurisdictional matters and noted for its expertise in both contentious and non-contentious employment law issues. It is also capable of advising companies on contract negotiations with employees as well as assisting them with senior exits.
  6. Hogan Lovells
    3
    Hogan Lovells
    Employment
    2025 | Band 3 |
    Hogan Lovells has a strong employment practice that advises on all manner of sensitive employment law issues. It is noted for its advice on employment matters relating to corporate transactions, as well as for its work on investigations. The firm's international scope means the team is skilled at handling cross-border employment disputes. The team advises a range of clients, including large public companies and banks.
  7. Mayer Brown International LLP
    3
    Mayer Brown International LLP
    Employment
    2025 | Band 3 |

    Mayer Brown has deep knowledge and experience in assisting high-profile companies with complex contentious and non-contentious employment issues. The firm has demonstrable expertise in handling whistle-blowing, discrimination and unfair dismissal claims. It is able to handle cross-jurisdictional employment issues for its international clientele. The firm regularly advises clients in the consumer goods, insurance and banking sectors.

  8. Reed Smith LLP
    3
    Reed Smith LLP
    Employment
    2025 | Band 3 |
    Reed Smith has sector specialisms in media and financial services, advising on everything from Equality Act compliance to outsourcing and restrictive covenants. The firm is able to handle multi-jurisdictional projects including large-scale workforce restructuring and corporate transactions. It also demonstrates experience handling both employment tribunal and High Court disputes with expertise including discrimination and unfair dismissal claims.
  9. Squire Patton Boggs
    3
    Squire Patton Boggs
    Employment
    2025 | Band 3 |
    Squire Patton Boggs is adept at handling global workforce transformation projects and large cross-border employment disputes. The firm also advises on complex litigation matters including discrimination claims and restrictive covenant disputes, as well as internal investigations. Its clients hail from a range of industries including retail, distribution and healthcare. The firm has notable expertise in the increasingly prominent field of equal pay disputes.
  10. Stephenson Harwood LLP
    3
    Stephenson Harwood LLP
    Employment
    2025 | Band 3 |
    Stephenson Harwood acts for employers on all types of employment law matters. The firm has extensive litigation experience, as well as knowledge of non-contentious issues, especially TUPE matters. It also has notable expertise in employment law issues arising in the rail industry. The firm is capable of handling cross-border matters for clients from a range of other sectors, including retail and hospitality.
  11. Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP
    Employment
    2025 | Band 3
  12. Farrer & Co LLP
    Employment
    2025 | Band 3
  13. Macfarlanes LLP
    Employment
    2025 | Band 3
4

Band 4

  1. 4
    Charles Russell Speechlys
    Employment
    2025 | Band 4 |
    Charles Russell Speechlys provides expert employment advice to corporate groups and has particular experience handling severance negotiations, complicated exits and the employment aspects of large corporate transactions. The firm serves a broad range of clients including notable work for retail and sports organisations. It also has experience working with employers and senior individuals from the financial services sector.
  2. 4
    Charles Russell Speechlys
    Employment
    2025 | Band 4 |
    Charles Russell Speechlys provides expert employment advice to corporate groups and has particular experience handling severance negotiations, complicated exits and the employment aspects of large corporate transactions. The firm serves a broad range of clients including notable work for retail and sports organisations. It also has experience working with employers and senior individuals from the financial services sector.
  3. DLA Piper LLP
    4
    DLA Piper LLP
    Employment
    2025 | Band 4 |
    DLA Piper has a strong employment practice with an international focus, offering advice to global companies. The firm advises across the whole gamut of employment law with recognisable strengths in multi-jurisdictional projects, including large restructurings. The firm's other areas of strength include advising on regulatory compliance, senior departures and worker status litigation. Its clients hail from a number of sectors including technology, financial services and transport.
  4. Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
    4
    Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP
    Employment
    2025 | Band 4 |
    Well-known companies seek advice from Morgan Lewis on the full spectrum of employment mandates spanning from non-contentious advisory work through to employment litigation. The firm is also called upon to act as independent investigators on highly sensitive matters. It has a broad range of sector capabilities which includes particular knowledge of the life sciences market.
  5. Pinsent Masons
    4
    Pinsent Masons
    Employment
    2025 | Band 4 |
    Pinsent Masons handles a wide range of employment matters on behalf of its clients. The firm is particularly active in representing employers from the healthcare and financial service sectors. It is frequently sought out for its expert handling of employment tribunal claims arising from allegations of discrimination, unfair dismissal and whistle-blowing detriment. The firm also offers strong capabilities in advising employers whose former employees have committed confidentiality breaches and misused confidential information.
  6. Taylor Wessing LLP
    4
    Taylor Wessing LLP
    Employment
    2025 | Band 4 |

    Taylor Wessing advises large employers from the technology, financial services and life sciences sectors. The firm is adept at handling highly complex litigation in the Employment Tribunal. It also regularly advises clients on the employment aspects of corporate transactions. The team is adept at frequently handling matters involving multiple jurisdictions.

  7. Deloitte Legal
    Employment
    2025 | Band 4
  8. Doyle Clayton
    Employment
    2025 | Band 4
  9. Osborne Clarke LLP
    Employment
    2025 | Band 4
5

Band 5

  1. Ashurst
    5
    Ashurst
    Employment
    2025 | Band 5 |
    Ashurst is a strong choice for domestic and international transactional support matters. The firm has particular expertise in the financial services sector. It is also called upon to handle grievances, misconduct and other employee-related matters.
  2. Dentons
    5
    Dentons
    Employment
    2025 | Band 5 |
    Dentons has an established practice that acts for financial institutions and multinational corporations on all employment-related matters. The firm has demonstrable expertise in large cross-jurisdictional projects, complex TUPE matters and employment issues arising from corporate transactions. It benefits from an impressive network of international offices.
  3. 5
    Norton Rose Fulbright
    Employment
    2025 | Band 5 |

    Norton Rose Fulbright regularly advises large corporates from the technology, transport and energy sectors on a wide range of employment issues. The firm has significant experience handling contentious matters and has notable experience working on whistle-blowing and discrimination claims. Recent work the firm has handled includes advising on large-scale redundancies and issues relating to outsourcing.

  4. Slaughter and May
    5
    Slaughter and May
    Employment
    2025 | Band 5 |

    Slaughter and May has a well-respected practice that is known for its advice to major corporates on the employment aspects of complex transactions. The firm frequently assists clients on significant TUPE matters. It also regularly works with financial services clients on internal investigations.

  5. 5
    Withers
    Employment
    2025 | Band 5 |
    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.
  6. Howard Kennedy LLP
    Employment
    2025 | Band 5
  7. Kingsley Napley LLP
    Employment
    2025 | Band 5
  8. KPMG International
    Employment
    2025 | Band 5
  9. McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP
    Employment
    2025 | Band 5
  10. Winckworth Sherwood
    Employment
    2025 | Band 5