The Manchester-based team at Leigh Day is noted for its ‘unparalleled employment expertise’, which it harnesses to handle complex and high-profile group action claims on behalf of claimants against well-known corporations. The group is particularly strong when it comes to equal pay claims and has a reputation as ‘the best equal pay team in the country’. Further, the team advises the GMB on strategic issues and is well-placed to assist claimants in a wide variety of actionable trade union rights matters. Key practitioner Linda Wong has noteworthy experience acting for claimants in high-stakes equal pay litigation up to Supreme Court level, as does Lauren Lougheed. ‘One of the leaders in the sector’ Ryan Bradshaw specialises in cases at the crossover of employment and human rights law, with work ranging from higher education disputes to group discrimination claims. Emma Satyamurti and Nigel MacKay co-head the group from the firm’s London office.

The Manchester- and Liverpool-based team at Brabners LLP is ‘extremely diligent and focused’. Nick Campbell heads the employment, pensions and immigration team from the Liverpool office and is described as ‘first-class’ by clients; his client list is formed of directors and senior executives whom he assists in negotiations concerning exit packages, settlement agreements, bonuses and restrictive covenant releases. In Manchester, Lydia Edgar is also well-placed to advise senior executives on high-profile matters ranging from appointments to exits, particularly those in the sports sector, while Simon Whitehead has a recruitment specialism. Siobhan Howard-Palmer acts for claimants in discrimination, GDPR and contract-related matters, among others. Sports and employment specialist Matthew Lavelle is also ‘outstanding’. 

The Manchester practice at Kuit Steinart Levy LLP has experience handling the full spectrum of employment work, ranging from unfair dismissal, discrimination and whistleblowing claims to senior executive terminations and related disputes. Further, the team is equipped to advise on appointments and exits in sports contexts, which is an area of expertise for Sally Bird. Claire Hollins has a strong track record when it comes to TUPE, restructuring and reorganisation, and senior terminations matters. ‘Star’ practitioner Kevin McKenna oversees the practice and is highly regarded for his varied expertise, which covers sensitive issues such as employee mental health.

Pearson Solicitors and Financial Advisers Ltd‘s employment practice in Hollinwood has considerable experience advising employees on the full spectrum of contentious and non-contentious employment law issues. Alan Lewis, noted for his ‘exceptional skills’, leads the team; he has capabilities handling complex collective redundancy matters wherein, for example, a business has collapsed and its former workers are seeking their statutory rights to redundancy pay. The team has noteworthy expertise when it comes to advising neurodiverse employees and employees with cancer on complex and sensitive discrimination claims. Carley Dhand has significant experience in group protective award claims and senior executive terminations as well as in the Employment Tribunal generally. Former co-lead Susan Mayall retired from the group in June 2025.

The Wilmslow-based group at People Legal assists a wide range of clients across various sectors, with the firm's capabilities advising high-net-worth individuals in the banking and finance sector especially well-regarded. Exit strategy negotiations and related high-value litigation is also an area of strength for the group. Team lead and ‘expert in his field’ Chris McAvoy-Newns' broad practice sees him advise high-net-worth individuals and employees across industry sectors from retail to aviation in whistleblowing, unfair dismissal and harassment cases. He is also noted for his experience in age, sex and disability discrimination claims. Media and sports sector specialist Helen Littlewood advises on contractual issues in particular, while the ‘outstanding’ Lauren Beaumont has significant expertise in employee exit and settlement agreement matters.

The team at Slater and Gordon has considerable experience assisting clients in matters ranging from group unfair dismissal claims brought against well-known employers to discrimination and harassment claims. The team is headed up by Peter Byrne, who splits his time between Liverpool and Manchester; Byrne joined the team as head of employment in November 2024 from Nexus Solicitors Limited and has broad experience advising employees across various industry sectors, including in relation to TUPE, contracts, settlements and departures. Whistleblowing and discrimination matters are a particular specialism of Karen Murray, while Victoria Schofield has noteworthy trade union expertise. Former co-lead of the team Sadiq Vohra left in January 2025.

The Stockport-based employment team at Gorvins Solicitors has experience assisting clients on the full spectrum of matters. Sensitive unfair dismissal cases, from claims brought against defendants from family businesses to those brought against well-known corporations by ex-employees, are an area of strength for the group. Practice head and ‘skilled practitioner’ Tracey Guest specialises in advising medical and dental sector employees. Guest joined the team in July 2024 along with ‘brilliant litigator’ Sarah Calderwood. Former team lead David Rogers departed the group in August 2024.

The employment group at Primas, based in Manchester and Cheshire, boasts a broad offering that spans restrictive covenant breaches and unfair dismissal claims, including those brought following or during maternity leave. The team also advises ex-employees alleged to have been treated unfairly as a result of their mental health. David Walton, with significant experience handling senior executive departures, oversees the team. Maternity sector specialist Danielle Ayres provides day-to-day advice on terminations, recruitment, contractual issues and negotiations, while clients ‘cannot say enough good things’ about Holly Navarro.

Thompsons Solicitors LLP's Manchester- and Liverpool-based team is well-versed in defending the employment rights of members of trade unions such as UNITE and Unison. Its workload includes representing clients at tribunals in holiday pay and unfair dismissal claims as well as claims regarding disability, sex, maternity, and race discrimination. In Liverpool, Bernard Wentworth is a name to note, while Matthew Pull in Manchester has equal pay and multi-claimant expertise. From the same office, discrimination and TUPE specialist Jamie Humphries heads up the offering.