Employment: The South: Kent, Sussex & Surrey

THE FIRM This team draws consistent praise from clients for building excellent relationships. It has proved its ability in both contentious and non-contentious matters and is especially lauded for its handling of unfair dismissal claims, sex discrimination claims and complex grievance procedures.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Steve Blunt is singled out for providing practical solutions.

THE FIRM This team has handled complex and large-scale instructions in both the contentious and non-contentious arenas over the past year, including business reorganisations, TUPE and highly contentious dismissal and discrimination claims. Clients praise its conscientious and methodical approach.  

KEY INDIVIDUALS Earning praise for his clarity, Roger Byard successfully advised a French corporate on anti-competitive issues arising out of a dispute with a UK managing director. Gavin Tyler has been extremely busy of late advising on transactional matters; he also handles contentious claims relating to performance, redundancy and disability discrimination.

THE FIRM This team is praised for its strength in depth and covers the entire range of employment matters in a variety of contexts. It is singled out as housing excellent advocates and has handled various contentious claims for large employers in the region, including alleged whistle-blowing, race discrimination, sex discrimination arising from maternity leave, failure to consult in respect of a TUPE transfer, constructive dismissal and disability discrimination claims.

Sources Say: "Some of the best legal minds in the country."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Rustom Tata draws recognition for his extensive knowledge and for "always fighting his clients' corner well in court." Adrian Crawford is recognised as an excellent practitioner both in and outside the courtroom.

THE FIRM This team is praised for its ability to grasp the complexities of a client's business. Significant regional clients include Southern Water and Valassis.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Group head Peter Stevens receives much praise for "avoiding the courtroom in favour of commercial sense." Esther Smith impresses clients with her excellent commercial non-contentious advice and rapid response times. Nicola Brown is praised for "taking the pain out of litigation and supporting a business from the ground up," while Leon Deakin is recognised as a key player and receives praise for his "friendly, pragmatic and efficient approach."

THE FIRM This winning team has a plethora of contentious and non-contentious successes to its name, and wins special plaudits for its delivery of in-house training as an added-value service.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Group head Nick Hobden has over 20 years' experience in employment law. Clients praise his pragmatic approach and appreciate that he clearly explains the risks and the available solutions.

THE FIRM Loyal and new clients of this team praise its strength in depth and range of lawyers who can assist in any capacity. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Previously a pensions law specialist, Andy Williams has built up a considerable practice in the region and has much experience of advising independent schools and higher education institutions.

THE FIRM This full-service firm has much clout in the region, and draws particular praise for its advice in the health sector. The team operates an employment law telephone helpline for the 290 GP practices in Kent, while also offering regular training courses for practice managers.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Clients single out group head William Addis for being able to advise on a wide variety of matters "at the drop of a hat."

THE FIRM This team has had an extremely busy year advising a host of public and private sector organisations. Clients praise its work on redundancy, TUPE, tribunal claims, unfair dismissal and disciplinary issues. They appreciate that the lawyers get involved at every stage and provide a high level of support.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Andrew Masters "provides considered advice, listens carefully to the issues at hand and asks probing questions." Clients appreciate that Amanda Okill is aware of the risks faced by businesses and provides advice in a "timely, friendly and courteous manner."

THE FIRM This team handles a range of contentious and non-contentious matters, and draws positive feedback from satisfied clients. It recently advised Cenduit on a restructuring of its UK operations involving collective consultation, business reorganisation and redundancies.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Harry Sherrard impresses clients and peers in the region as "one of the foremost legal minds around."

THE FIRM The team at this full-service firm provides a range of advice on respondent claims, TUPE, discrimination and unfair dismissal claims.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Group head Stephanie Dale recently successfully defended six respondents in Employment Tribunal proceedings involving unfair dismissal and sexual orientation discrimination. Clients praise her "enthusiastic and approachable manner." Since publication, Helen Boddy has joined the firm from Shadbolt LLP. Clients praise her for "inspiring great trust and establishing excellent relationships from the get-go."

THE FIRM This team has handled a host of employment issues over the past year, including the employment aspects arising out of large-scale corporate restructurings, sales and acquisitions. Recent highlights include advising on the employment aspects of an acquisition of a business about to go into voluntary liquidation, and on the insourcing of a series of franchised operations.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Samantha Davis is highlighted for her "excellent commercial non-contentious advice."

THE FIRM Clients praise this firm's successful defence of discrimination claims and its delivery of employment law training to line managers in relation to revised statutory grievance and disciplinary procedures. They highlight the team as a business partner providing steady assistance with a host of non-contentious matters. The team recently advised easyJet in Employment Tribunals and on airline integration matters, including TUPE.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Rebecca Thornley-Gibson draws praise for her "commercially minded, client-focused approach."

THE FIRM This team handles a range of technical matters incorporating both contentious and non-contentious points. It successfully defended an established client in a ten-day hearing before the Reading Employment Tribunal involving alleged constructive unfair dismissal and sex discrimination claims. It has also provided invaluable corporate advice to regional clients suffering as a result of the collapse of markets. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Clients praise group head David Ludlow for his sensitive handling of matters.

THE FIRM This team has had a successful year in both the contentious and non-contentious arenas of the law. It has handled terminations of senior-level employees and large-scale redundancies, in addition to successfully defending an unfair dismissal claim.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Group head Joanna Worby impresses clients as an "outstanding tactician with excellent commercial awareness."

THE FIRM Clients are impressed with this team's representation and assistance in complex and contentious matters. It recently represented a national employer in a claim involving employment status. The group has gained further expertise in the care sector and in aspects of employment law relating to both adults and children. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Following Tom Walker's departure, department head Lorna Valcin is the main contact.

THE FIRM Clients single this firm out for having impressive expertise, particularly in relation to rural practice employees such as farm and estate workers and gamekeepers. The team earns praise for its timely responses, and clients appreciate the high level of care and attention they receive. 

KEY INDIVIDUALS Michael McNally is praised for his "authoritative and specialised advice, especially in the rural sector."

THE FIRM This team earns respect for handling both contentious and non-contentious matters, including negotiating board-level exits and compromise agreements, negotiating employment contracts, terminations and unfair dismissal claims. The team has also acted on the closure of businesses, including advising on the closure of a site with more than 90 employees.  

KEY INDIVIDUALS Denham Bell draws consistent praise for his "no-nonsense and commercial approach."

THE FIRM This smaller outfit wins client and peer approval for its knowledge of trade union law.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Clients appreciate Binder Bansel's pragmatic and sensible approach. He is especially active in discrimination work.

THE FIRM Satisfied clients enthuse that this team is proactive and dependable, with a client-focused approach. Highlights from the past year include compromise agreements, assistance with redundancy and TUPE-related matters; the team also provides highly instructive workshops on employment law.

KEY INDIVIDUALS Mike Cole draws praise for being "highly informed and willing to go the extra mile."

KEY INDIVIDUALS Former barrister Antony Hyams-Parish is head of this employment group. Clients enthuse that he is "incredibly aware of our business needs and provides excellent pragmatic and commercially aware advice."