Skip to main content
Tarun Tawakley

Tarun TawakleyPartner

Download vCard

I advise a broad range of clients on complex, strategically important and high-impact employment law issues.

I advise multinational and UK-based employers and senior executives. I am widely recognised as a leading employment lawyer, including by:

I have particular expertise in, and I am recognised as the “go-to” expert for, issues relating to the platform and/or gig economy. I’ve successfully defended gig economy business models in multiple jurisdictions (and across various forums including before Courts, labour inspectors and other regulators); and worked with governments and regulators on legislative reform.

As a partner in Lewis Silkin’s employment litigation team, I also have a focus on High Court litigation and advise on disputes involving restrictive covenants (individual and team moves), misuse of confidential information and other contractual claims (such as bonus claims).

Given my broad practice, I have won cases before the each of the relevant specialist tribunals (including Employment Tribunal and Central Arbitration Committee), the civil courts (from the High Court to the Supreme Court) and across alternative forums (including arbitration).

Outside of providing pure legal advice, I’m able to leverage my prior experience as the Head of Employment Law and Commercial Litigation at Deliveroo (a position I held for four years, including supporting the business through its IPO) to better understand and deliver on what matters most for my clients - having spent four years in their shoes.

I am a member of the Law Society’s Employment Law Committee. In this role, I review and promote improvements in employment law and practice; support members of the profession working in employment law; and promote the role of solicitors practising in employment law.

Awards

  • Chambers 2024 (Employment: Employer – London (Firms)) - "He is an absolute go-to for 'gig economy'-type work."
  • Chambers 2024 (Employment: Employer – London (Firms)) - "Tarun is truly excellent, I cannot recommend him enough. His client service is incredible and he is always available to help. His advice is excellent and always incredibly commercial."
  • Chambers 2024 (Employment: Employer – London (Firms)) - "Tarun is superb. He is amazing both professionally and personally."
  • IEL 2024 – described as “outstanding” and shortlisted for International Employment Lawyer of the Year - Private Practice
  • Chambers 2023 (Employment: Employer – London (Firms) - "Working with Tarun has been a pleasure. He has tonnes of commercial experience so is able to lend a technical and meaningful commercial opinion where necessary."
  • Chambers 2023 (Employment: Employer – London (Firms)) - ""Tarun Tawakley is our go-to partner for complex, strategic advice."
  • Legal 500 2023 (Employment: Senior Executives) - "Tarun Tawakley is a charismatic and engaging Partner at Lewis Silkin. He has tremendous knowledge and experience in employment issues and is well versed in how the other side thinks. He is firm in his advice and ensures that emotions are kept in check in order to deliver the best outcome for his client. He delivers his advice in a very clear and logical manner, he ensures that the client has understood the subtleties and nuances of the negotiations before explaining what particular path is the preferred one."
Back To Top