Employment: Yorkshire

This stellar team is highlighted for its advice to a range of FTSE 100, national and regional companies. It has particular strength in advising clients in the financial services and retail sectors. Recent highlights include advising Sainsbury's on an outsourcing and partnering arrangement; other key clients include British Airways, William Hill and Allied Textiles.

Client Service "They are amenable to us being specific about what we want."

Commercial Awareness "I like the format of their cost benefit analysis."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Rob Riley has expertise in advising on corporate transactions, boardroom disputes and outsourcing issues. He earns praise from clients, who say: "His speed of response is excellent and his advice is clear and definitive." Emma Whiting advises a range of FTSE 100 and FTSE 250 companies and SMEs on all areas of employment law. She has particular expertise in complicated litigation, redundancy and grievance issues.

This top-quality firm advises substantial clients on international, national and regional matters, and has particular expertise in TUPE, public sector procurement and outsourcing matters. Recent highlights include advising the London Development Agency on the employment implications of transferring certain functions to the Olympic Park Legacy Company. Other notable clients include Sony Music Entertainment UK, Northern Foods and Sheffield City Council.

KEY INDIVIDUALS The "exceptionally good" David Bradley is joint head of the firm's global employment, pensions and benefits group. His recent highlights include advising bmi on a multimillion-pound wage claim. Guy Lamb heads the Leeds team and manages the relationship with clients such as ITV, HBOS and the London Development Agency. He has particular expertise in TUPE-related matters. Head of the team in Sheffield, Alan Chalmers stands out for expertise in discrimination-related matters, and recently successfully defended Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden and others in a disability discrimination claim brought by a former contestant on 'Britain's Got Talent'. Adam Hartley is recommended for his advice to clients in the financial services sector.

This "highly effective" team advises significant employers on boardroom disputes, restructuring projects and industrial relations. It also has notable expertise in discrimination and whistle-blowing claims. Clients appreciate the team's commercial approach, with one saying the lawyers "understand what we need in terms of advice." Notable clients include DHL, Hallmark Cards and Barclays Bank.  

Client Service "They come together well as a team and provide a solution to the whole issue – it is a complete service."

Commercial Awareness “They do not just tell you the law – they also tell you commercial risk.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Team head Paul Cotton has particular expertise in advising on boardroom and trade union-related disputes. One client enthused that being advised by Cotton is "like having an extra colleague who gives you not only a lawyer's answer but also a commercial answer." Simon Rice-Birchall has particular expertise in advising on discrimination matters. Clients appreciate his pragmatism, saying: "He does not sit on the fence but gives you his opinion." Rebecca Kitson is highlighted by clients for her "sensible, calm and rational approach."

This team stands out for its strength in advising a range of blue-chip corporates and large public sector bodies on restructuring projects and complex tribunal matters. It has particular expertise in advising clients in the education sector, and recently advised the University of Sussex on a significant redundancy exercise. Other notable clients include GE Capital, Morrisons and the Department for Education.

Client Service "Working with them is a positive experience. They work with us to make sure they are providing the right service."

Commercial Awareness “They know our business.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Christopher Booth heads the national employment group and specialises in advising clients on board-level terminations and disputes, and on strategic restructuring and reorganisations. Christopher Mordue heads the Leeds employment team and the universities employment team, and is active exclusively in the university sector. Jon Fisher is "really commercial and highly pragmatic," and has particular expertise in advising on complex litigation or multiple claims for clients such as RBS and ASDA.  

This team is highly rated for its expertise in advising significant public and private sector clients on all areas of employment law. It has particular expertise in acting for clients in the healthcare sector, and recently advised Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust on a case in the Supreme Court regarding damages. Other notable clients include Leeds Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Arcadia Group and the University of Sheffield. On November 1st, Davies Arnold Cooper will merge with Beachcroft. The resulting firm will be known as DAC Beachcroft LLP.

Client Service "Whatever the nature of my problem there is someone with expertise in that area."

Commercial Awareness “Their staff have a good understanding of our business and priorities, and invariably provide a quick and accurate service."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Rachael Heenan heads the firm's national health employment and regional health employment teams. She earns substantial client praise, with one saying: "She is exceptionally good at developing a strategy, and extremely speedy." Hilary Larter has particular expertise in advising NHS clients on discrimination issues. According to clients, she "offers sound, accurate and measured legal advice."

This eight-specialist team advises significant private sector employees on strategic matters and tribunal claims. It also acts for directors and senior executives on termination matters. Notable clients include Spice, Securitas Security Services and Halfords.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Department head Philip Paget advises on the full range of employment law matters, including appearing in the employment tribunal. Commentators describe him as "a sound advocate." Paul Stokey has particular expertise in advising on TUPE matters. His clients include senior executives.

This "extremely professional" team advises employers in the private, public and non-profit sectors on tribunal claims and restructuring projects. It also has expertise in advising companies on the employment aspects of acquisitions. Clients include Thorntons, Capita and Autowindscreens.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Matthew Brain is "highly reliable" and has "an eye for detail." He specialises in the TUPE aspects of business acquisitions and is an experienced tribunal advocate. Jennifer Walton advises clients on all aspects of employment law, with a particular focus on contentious matters. Glen Hayes specialises in advising on contentious matters and regularly conducts advocacy in the employment tribunal.

This Sheffield-based team advises regional, national and international companies on matters such as tribunal claims and mergers and demergers; it also advises employers in the public sector. The team recently advised Liberty International on issues arising from its demerger with Capital & Counties and the creation of Capital & Counties Properties.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Julie Quinn is the key contact at the firm.

This team frequently advises on tribunal claims and appears in the tribunal. It also advises companies on industrial relations and strategic issues. Key clients include Tesco, the CPS and Sharp Electronics.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Team head Matthew Lewis has particular expertise in industrial relations matters.

This team advises senior employers on tribunal claims, and acts for private sector employers on collective redundancies, contentious claims and TUPE matters, among others. Clients include Portsmouth FC, Spirit Capital and Peter Black Footwear & Accessories.

Client Service “They offer an excellent employment service – we get a national service from a regional provider.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS David Smedley heads the team and has "a highly pragmatic and commercial style." Sources also highlight his "timely and practical advice."

This team acts for employers on a balanced range of contentious and non-contentious matters. Clients include Welcome to Yorkshire, Welham Estates and Pendragon Financial Services.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Sarah Tahamtani's workload includes advising employers on tribunal claims, transactions and restructuring projects, including TUPE matters.

This team acts for companies on both contentious and non-contentious matters. It recently advised Leeds Rugby on a review of the Leeds Carnegie team and management contracts. Other clients include Swinton Group and Dunhills (Pontefract).

KEY INDIVIDUALS Ronald Drake is a well-respected practitioner who also sits as a part-time employment judge. He recently advised Stockport MBC on mass equal pay claims. Phillip Harman is "commercially aware and exudes confidence," and clients appreciate that he "simplifies without patronising."

This team is recognised for representing employers in contentious matters in the tribunal and the High Court. It also advises on industrial relations and restructuring matters. Sources enthuse that the team "has exceptional tribunal experience, from taking and drafting witness statements to the full presentation of cases."

Commercial Awareness "They understand the commercial side of my business and they have taken the time to understand our sector.”

KEY INDIVIDUALS Frank Sutcliffe has particular expertise in advising public sector clients on complex discrimination claims, and is praised as being "absolutely reliable." Ben Daniel specialises in advising clients in both the private and public sectors on discrimination claims, industrial relations and collective bargaining issues. Head of employment Keith Hearn advises clients on claims in the employment tribunal and High Court; he also trains commercial and health sector clients.

This York-based team is highlighted for its advice to employers on TUPE matters and employment tribunal claims, and has particular expertise in advising clients in the education sector. Clients include G4S, Finlay Beverages and The Priory Federation of Academies Trust.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Team head Kate Hindmarch is "highly organised" and advises on all aspects of employment law. She also sits as a part-time employment judge. Stephen Elliott has particular expertise in advising corporate clients on employment tribunal matters and matters relating to corporate transactions. He also advises senior executives.

This "professional and helpful" team represents companies and non-profit organisations on restructuring projects, disciplinary issues and TUPE matters, among others. It also advises senior executives on termination matters. 

Client Service "The team is varied in skills and experience, which enables you to gain very easy access to someone who has dealt with your particular scenario or a similar one in the past."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Louise Connacher heads the team and has particular expertise in advising clients in the third sector. Clients praise her "in-depth knowledge and natural ability to communicate," and her "open and honest advice."

This team stands out for its "determined and thorough approach" to advising corporate employers and individual employees on matters such as discrimination claims and terminations. It has particular expertise in advising clients in the sports sector, including The Premier League and Leeds United FC.

KEY INDIVIDUALS According to commentators, Neil Goodrum "conflates two great talents: he is analytical and considered, and very human and good with clients."

This team moves up the rankings this year having earned praise for its advice to significant employers on a range of matters, including employment tribunal claims and TUPE issues. It recently successfully brought proceedings on behalf of The Oval Group against three brokers who had left the company to join a competitor.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Experienced employment law specialist Harmajinder Hayre is "commercially astute" and has particular expertise in advising clients in the retail, financial services and transport sectors on industrial relations matters. Richard Port recently joined Ward Hadaway from Clarion. He is praised as "an excellent source of advice." "He is intelligent, thoughtful and sensitive to the various issues we need to balance," added one client.

This Hull-based team advises on the full complement of employment law matters, primarily for businesses. It has expertise in matters such as executive severance, TUPE and unfair dismissal.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Jonathan Dale heads the department and stands out as being "highly technically able." He is an experienced practitioner with particular expertise in advising employers on redundancies and the removal of directors. Lee Whiting advises employers on a range of contentious and non-contentious matters.

This team advises trade unions and their members on matters such as unfair dismissal, redundancy and discrimination. It has recently represented a significant number of claimants in equal pay claims against local authorities.  

Client Service “The overall level of service is excellent."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Richard Parnell is a key contact.

This team advises employers on a range of matters, including those relating to TUPE, tribunal claims and redundancy. Clients include Serco, McCann Erickson and Intertain.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Team leader Mathew Yates advises clients in the private and public sectors on all aspects of employment law. He has particular expertise in advising clients in the transport and logistics sectors.  

This Harrogate-based team has particular expertise in advising clients in the healthcare sector on all employment law matters, including tribunal claims and contractual matters. Key clients include NHS North Lincolnshire, and Yorkshire & the Humber Postgraduate Deanery.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Martin Cheyne is the main contact here.

On October 1st HLW and Keeble Hawson merged, forming HLW Keeble Hawson. This team advises employers and individuals on all aspects of employment law. It recently represented 90 local authority employees in equal pay claims.  

KEY INDIVIDUALS Paul Grindley impresses clients with his "sound and reliable advice." His client base is predominantly made up of employers, which he advises on the full range of employment law matters; he also appears in the employment tribunal.

This team advises on a wide array of employment law issues, including tribunal claims and restructuring projects. Clients include Yorkshire Linen Company and Southdale Homes.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Head of the team Iain Jenkins has particular expertise in employment tribunal claims and executive terminations.

This team acts exclusively for claimants, providing "a high standard of employment law advice" from its offices in Leeds and Bradford. It advises on tribunal claims and counts the National Association of Stable Staff, Unite the Union and TSSA among its clients.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Paul Scholey is the key contact.

This Harrogate-based team is recognised for its advice to businesses on all aspects of employment law.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Deborah Boylan stands out for her "extremely clear and analytical approach" and for her "highly customer-focused approach."

This firm advises employers in the private and public sectors on matters including TUPE and employment tribunal claims. Clients include University of Lincoln and ActionAid. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Neil Maidment gives "good, sensible and pragmatic advice" on the full range of employment law matters.

This "well-organised" team provides a "thorough and speedy service" to clients in the public and private sectors. It has particular expertise in advising clients in the education sector, and recently advised 15 new academies on TUPE matters.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Simon Shepherd is the main point of contact.

Based in Leeds and Sheffield, this team advises trades unions and their members on a wide variety of employment law matters, and has particular expertise in equal pay matters. One client described the service as "excellent, knowledgeable and spot-on."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Andrew James has "good, broad knowledge of employment law and is very good at coming up with detailed advice on complex issues."

This team is instructed to advise employers on discrimination claims, TUPE and redundancy matters, among others. Clients include Atkins and Barrett Steel.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Gearalt Fahy has particular expertise in contentious matters, including conducting advocacy.