About

I am a Managing Associate specialising in employment law. I am qualified in both English & Wales and in Northern Ireland and have also worked extensively in Scotland, so although I am based in Belfast, I regularly advise clients with staff all over the UK.

I have over 20 years' experience advising on employment matters, including equalities issues, employment documentation, capability, disciplinary and grievance management (including advising on complex investigations), dismissals and settlement negotiations, collective and individual redundancies and defending clients from tribunal claims (including those in the industrial and fair Employment Tribunals in Northern Ireland).

I particularly enjoy helping clients manage the HR issues which can arise from corporate restructures, out- or in-sourcing or when making a disposal or acquisition. This often includes advising on TUPE and the employment aspects of corporate transactions as well as on the retention or exit of founders or other key members of staff.

Experience

Employee relations

  • Providing advice and support to Directors and HR professionals dealing with employee relations issues, such as where there is misconduct, poor performance, illness, a contractual dispute, or where complaints have been made (such where there is a whistleblowing allegation, or allegations of bullying or discrimination)
  • Helping clients navigate the investigation and formal processes involved, so they can make important decisions with confidence and a clear understanding of options and risk

Exits

  • Advising on terminations and settlement negotiations, including helping a number of technology and property clients
  • Planning and executing successful senior executive exits, enabling them to resolve sensitive issues quickly and constructively, and avoiding litigation so they can focus their energies positively

Employment litigation

  • Advising on employment disputes all over the UK
  • Helping clients defend or resolve Employment Tribunal litigation such as claims for unfair dismissal as well as sex, disability and other types of discrimination and whistleblowing claims both in the GB Employment Tribunals and in the Industrial and Fair Employment Tribunal in Northern Ireland

Projects

  • Helping clients with HR compliance, including advising on contracts and service agreements, handbooks, policies and procedures as well as on recruitment, equality diversity and discrimination issues and fair employment rules in Northern Ireland. I recently helped a client in the energy sector tailor and roll out changes to their contracts and handbook for staff in Great Britain and Northern Ireland, including assisting with related corporate communications and presentations, staff meetings and correspondence with individual employees
  • Helping my clients achieve their wider strategic objectives by providing employment law support for corporate restructures including acquisitions, disposals and investments
  • Conducting and reporting on due diligence; negotiating employment warranties and indemnities and advising on relevant TUPE drafting and obligations
  • Advising on the employment issues involved in large, inter-generational private and public finance projects as well advising startups who are looking for investment, or who are ready to scale up

Services