Ranking tables

Employment | UK

Yorkshire: South and West

This section has a broad scope and firms can submit a wide range of workplace related matters, both contentious and non-contentious.   In terms of disputes, work can include Employment Tribunal claims relating to discrimination, unfair dismissal, equal pay or employee status. It can also include litigation before the higher courts relating to team moves or restrictive covenant. Firms are also recognised for their advisory work on matters such as TUPE, redundancies, gig-economy matters, senior executive issues and policy and HR training. We also recognise firms for their employment work in the context of corporate transactions, however this work is viewed less favourably.   Outside of London, firms can include work for both employers and employees/workers.   In London, firms are ranked in separate tables covering work for Employers, Employees & Trade Unions, and Senior Executives. The Senior Executive table covers advice for all-types of employed senior professionals (including those working in the financial services industry, senior doctors and head teachers). The Employee & Trade Union table is focused on work for more junior employees, as well as actions brought by employees in conjunction with Trade Unions.   In London we have specific tables that recognise firms and individuals for their expertise acting for third sector employers and healthcare providers (both NHS and private), as well as for their employer-side industrial relations work. We also have a table that recognises the expertise of firms and lawyers who excel at advising employers in connection with High Court Litigation.  Partnership-related issues are not considered here as these are covered in a separate table.   Related sections: Employee Share Schemes & Incentives; Pensions, Partnership

Rankings overview for Departments

All Departments profiles

1

Band 1

  1. DAC Beachcroft LLP
    1
    DAC Beachcroft LLP
    Employment
    2026 | Band 1 | 6 Years Ranked

    DAC Beachcroft is adept at advising across the full range of employment matters for high-profile clients in the healthcare, insurance, retail and logistics industries. The team possesses significant experience handling sensitive employment litigation relating to claims of harassment and discrimination. The firm has additional strength in TUPE and trade union matters.

  2. DLA Piper UK LLP
    1
    DLA Piper UK LLP
    Employment
    2026 | Band 1 | 6 Years Ranked

    DLA Piper advises across the full spectrum of employment law matters. The team has notable experience handling cross-border projects, as well as providing expert advice on domestic matters. It advises on matters including TUPE and outsourcing as well as National Minimum Wage compliance. The firm's client base spans a diverse range of industries, including manufacturing, retail and distribution. The firm has offices in Leeds and Sheffield.

  3. Eversheds Sutherland
    1
    Eversheds Sutherland
    Employment
    2026 | Band 1 | 6 Years Ranked

    Eversheds Sutherland has a well-respected practice noted for its expertise in complex employment tribunal litigation and TUPE matters as well as further education. The firm is recognised for its work relating to European Works Councils and global trade unions. It also handles cross-border restructuring matters. The team represents domestic and international clients across multiple sectors including leisure and finance.

  4. Pinsent Masons
    1
    Pinsent Masons
    Employment
    2026 | Band 1 | 6 Years Ranked

    Pinsent Masons fields a prominent employment law service engaged by regional, national and global clients including many FTSE 100 and 250 groups. The team has broad sector experience that includes technology, financial services and retail, as well as notable strength in sports-related matters. It is also adept at handling sensitive industrial relations issues along with HR matters and exit negotiations for senior executives. The employment team is based in Leeds.

  5. Squire Patton Boggs
    1
    Squire Patton Boggs
    Employment
    2026 | Band 1 | 6 Years Ranked

    Squire Patton Boggs has a well-regarded team in Leeds that supports regional, national and international clients in all areas of employment law, including discrimination, restructuring and employment tribunal actions. The firm has particular expertise in the retail sector and is regularly instructed by high-profile names in this industry. It is also notable for its work on industrial relations matters as well as corporate support mandates.

  6. Walker Morris LLP
    1
    Walker Morris LLP
    Employment
    2026 | Band 1 | 6 Years Ranked

    Walker Morris is a well-established Leeds-based firm that offers specialist services to large-scale businesses in the retail, banking, manufacturing and distribution sectors. It has a broad employment law practice which includes disciplinary procedures and managerial departures. The team is experienced in handling employment issues arising from business transactions. It also offers expert advice on sports-related employment matters, particularly in relation to football.

2

Band 2

  1. Addleshaw Goddard LLP
    2
    Addleshaw Goddard LLP
    Employment
    2026 | Band 2 | 6 Years Ranked

    Addleshaw Goddard has a highly regarded employment practice based in Leeds. The team is notable for its work on behalf of regional and national employers as well as executives in sectors such as food and drink, energy, finance and transport. Addleshaw Goddard comes recommended for representation in employment tribunal claims, as well as general advisory matters. Other areas of expertise include National Minimum Wage compliance, TUPE matters and restructuring advice.

  2. gunnercooke
    2
    gunnercooke
    Employment
    2026 | Band 2 | 3 Years Ranked

    The employment team at gunnercooke has expertise in representing both employers and employees in a range of matters. The group handles complex and high-value employment tribunal claims as well as providing non-contentious advice, including on TUPE matters.

3

Band 3

  1. Capsticks LLP
    3
    Capsticks LLP
    Employment
    2026 | Band 3 | 6 Years Ranked

    Capsticks is a well-regarded firm that is particularly adept at representing clients in the healthcare arena. The firm represents numerous NHS trusts, as well as private providers, and is also known for its provision of specialised employment advice to emergency services, including the police and fire brigade. Additional areas of expertise for the firm include TUPE and employment tribunal advocacy, as well as pay disputes and discrimination cases. Its employment lawyers are based in the Leeds office.

  2. Clarion
    3
    Clarion
    Employment
    2026 | Band 3 | 6 Years Ranked

    Clarion is an esteemed practice based in Leeds that provides employment advice to local, national and international corporates. The team handles matters including discrimination and unfair dismissal claims at the Employment Tribunal, as well as restructures and redundancy processes. The firm has sector expertise that covers logistics, healthcare, retail and manufacturing.

  3. Flint Bishop
    3
    Flint Bishop
    Employment
    2026 | Band 3 | 6 Years Ranked

    Flint Bishop advises on the full range of matters for employers in the education, construction and healthcare sectors. The team handles day-to-day HR and employment issues, as well as advising on disputes. The firm also offers noted expertise in data protection and National Minimum Wage matters. In addition, the team is recommended for its employment law training initiatives.

  4. Gateley Legal
    3
    Gateley Legal
    Employment
    2026 | Band 3 | 6 Years Ranked

    Gateley Legal offers local and national employers advice on a broad array of employment areas. The team often works on TUPE matters and day-to-day HR issues, as well as advising on the management of internal investigations. Another area of strength is the firm's handling of disputes, especially those involving claims of discrimination and whistle-blowing.

  5. Irwin Mitchell
    3
    Irwin Mitchell
    Employment
    2026 | Band 3 | 6 Years Ranked

    Irwin Mitchell's employment practice in Sheffield is well regarded for its handling of a range of matters. The team is experienced in handling complex claims in employment tribunals, as well as day-to-day matters for large corporates, charities and education institutions. Other areas of specialism for the firm include advising on TUPE transfers, discrimination claims and industrial relations issues.

  6. Mills & Reeve LLP
    3
    Mills & Reeve LLP
    Employment
    2026 | Band 3 | 3 Years Ranked

    Mills & Reeve in Leeds acts for renowned clients on contentious as well as non-contentious employment matters. The firm has notable in-house advocacy strength and regularly represents clients in whistle-blowing, disability discrimination and unfair dismissal claims, among others. It also advises clients on transactional, restructuring and redundancy mandates.

  7. Shoosmiths LLP
    3
    Shoosmiths LLP
    Employment
    2026 | Band 3 | 3 Years Ranked

    The Leeds-based employment team at Shoomiths has experience representing companies in diverse sectors, including retail, logistics and financial services. The team is adept at advising on a broad range of issues, from senior executive terminations through to industrial relations, worker status and equal pay claims.

  8. Womble Bond Dickinson UK LLP
    3
    Womble Bond Dickinson UK LLP
    Employment
    2026 | Band 3 | 1 Years Ranked

    Womble Bond Dickinson's Leeds-based employment practice focus on clients in the third sector, energy sector, finance and insurance sectors and in manufacturing ad professional services. Their offering is full-service and they are adept at handling TUPE, restructuring projects, strike action and industrial relations, alongside a busy contentious practice before the Employment Tribunal.

  9. Consilia Legal
    Employment
    2026 | Band 3
  10. Schofield Sweeney
    Employment
    2026 | Band 3
  11. Ward Hadaway LLP
    Employment
    2026 | Band 3
4

Band 4

  1. Freeths LLP
    4
    Freeths LLP
    Employment
    2026 | Band 4 | 1 Years Ranked

    Freeths' employment practice is based in Sheffield. The team advises clients in the public, private and third sectors and offers a full range of employment services. Freeths also offers an HR partnership service.

  2. Robinson Ralph
    4
    Robinson Ralph
    Employment
    2026 | Band 4 | 2 Years Ranked

    Robinson Ralph's employment practice covers the full range of contentious and non-contentious matters. The team is very well versed in disputes involving issues of unfair and wrongful dismissal, discrimination claims and grievous investigations. It has in-depth knowledge of transaction-related issues such as TUPE and exit negotiations. Clients of the firm come from a wide variety of sectors including education, retail, finance and charities.

  3. rradar
    4
    rradar
    Employment
    2026 | Band 4 | 2 Years Ranked

    Based in Leeds, rradar has a respected employment practice. The firm is regularly sought by clients from a wide range of sectors including education, healthcare and charities to advise on such matters as disciplinary processes, TUPE disputes and whistle-blowing. The team frequently acts on contentious matters, including claims relating to unfair dismissal and discrimination.

  4. Weightmans
    4
    Weightmans
    Employment
    2026 | Band 4 | 6 Years Ranked

    Weightmans is well regarded for its representation of clients in a variety of employment law matters. The firm has a significant presence in the transport, logistics and healthcare sectors. Its lawyers are known for specialist knowledge, which includes managing industrial disputes, as well as handling redundancy matters. The team also offers clients the benefit of its developed advocacy experience, handling a wide range of sensitive employment tribunal claims.

  5. Wrigleys Solicitors LLP
    4
    Wrigleys Solicitors LLP
    Employment
    2026 | Band 4 | 6 Years Ranked

    Based in Leeds and Sheffield, Wrigleys Solicitors comes recommended for advice on TUPE, redundancies and restructures, as well as employment tribunal claims concerning discrimination allegations. The team is adept at advising on the development of employment contracts and policies, and also assists with executive employment issues. The team is known to support clients in the charity and education sectors, among others.

  6. Blacks Solicitors LLP
    Employment
    2026 | Band 4
  7. Gordons LLP
    Employment
    2026 | Band 4