Chambers & Partners 2009

Employment & Pensions




London

This impressive standalone group provides prompt, concise, commercially focused advice that is tailored to the client's business. Its personable lawyers are praised for their ability to relate to managers at all levels, as well as their skills in "solving problems and really moving the work forward." Recent new client wins include Atos Origin UK, the Department of Transport and Dunlop Slazenger. Group head David Green "inspires the respect and affection of his team," according to clients. He acted on the £254 million takeover of Christian Salvesen by French transport giant Norbert Dentressangle, and also represented a household-name client in a sensitive board-level dispute involving allegations of whistle-blowing, sexual harassment and unfair dismissal. Michael Powner "doesn't get bogged down in legal jargon - he is great on strategy and impressively fast." He acts for a number of sports and leisure clients and also advised on the acquisition of AMEC Group by Morgan Sindall, one of the largest transactions in the construction sector of late. The team is also appreciated for its flexibility in meeting clients in locations across the UK, as well as its "participative, fun and practical employment seminars."

Cheltenham

Operating from Cheltenham, Charles Russell fields a "highly motivated and business-oriented" employment team in the South West, which can draw significant support from the firm's closely linked network of offices. Clients say that "the performance of the team is consistently outstanding," and emphasise that "the quality of the individuals is the key to the team's success." Head of the team Sarah Jane Turcan is commended by clients for her business insight, with one going so far as to say: "We would not dream of using anyone else." She recently advised Westminster Group on a number of employment issues. Other major clients of the team include Sotheby's, Which? and Arts Educational Schools.

Guildford

This Guildford-based team is "friendly, punctual and well-organised," and has "exquisite judgement." Clients are understandably enthused that the firm "charges Guildford rates but provides City-quality advice." Three further offices in the South add to the firm's comprehensive capabilities and its clientele is similarly diverse and widespread. Associate Andy Williams receives particular praise: "He has detailed technical knowledge that he applies with skill to real-life commercial situations." Recent work includes advising on the extensive TUPE implications of a change of service provider for a major public company.

Cambridge

Although the employment team at Charles Russell is young, the three partners are "high quality and extremely well thought of." Over the course of the past year the team has "certainly made an impact," and continues to collect a number of impressive clients both locally and further afield. The firm's national profile undoubtedly boosts the team's workload, but clients are keen to comment on the significant local reputation that it has gained on its own merit. Tim Tyndall heads the team and offers clients "an open-door policy and quick response." Colleague Hilary Aldred is extremely well liked by clients, who say "she is very incisive and absolutely on top - we have nothing but praise for her." Nick Sayer attracts considerable praise as an "extremely knowledgeable tactician who is down-to-earth, approachable and easy to get hold of."