Despina StoimenidiAssociate

Employment

I support both employers and employees from a wide range of sectors on matters that arise throughout the employment relationship and after it has ended, including contracts, policies, exits, employment status, discrimination, pay (including National Minimum Wage), transactions (including TUPE) and disciplinary, capability and grievance processes.

Immigration

I advise employers and individuals on all aspects of UK immigration law, including assisting employers with sponsor licence and work permit applications; advising on right to work issues and immigration compliance; carrying out mock audits and training for sponsors and their HR teams; and assisting individuals with family-based applications, indefinite leave to remain and naturalisation as a British citizen.

I particularly focus on situations where employment and immigration law interact, such as potential discrimination risks based on the right to work both at the recruitment stage and during employment.

Qualifications

After completing my undergraduate and postgraduate studies in English and Forensic Linguistics, I completed the Graduate Diploma in Law at BPP University in 2020 and the Legal Practice Course at Cardiff University in 2021.

I qualified as a solicitor in England and Wales in March 2023 after completing my training at Lewis Silkin.

Memberships

I am a member of the Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA) and the Employment Lawyers Association (ELA).

I sit on Lewis Silkin's Pro Bono Committee and advise charitable organisations on a pro bono basis.

I am fluent in Greek and a learner of Welsh.