Described as ‘experts in the field’, the team at DC Employment Solicitors is co-headed by Daryl Cowan and Laurence Dunn in Southampton. The team specialises in all forms of employment law, including immigration matters, collective redundancies, and trade union recognition. Dunn is recommended for discrimination claims, while Cowan is skilled at handling complex TUPE matters. Darren Tibble is a further standout member of the team who has extensive experience dealing with restrictive covenant issues and litigation arising out of employment disputes. Claire Helling left the firm in September 2023, and Louis Howlett left the firm in March 2024.

The ‘exceptional’ team at Paris Smith LLP regularly acts for clients in employment tribunals and securing settlements on cases concerning allegations of discrimination, harassment, and unfair dismissal. Leading the team in Southampton, Clive Dobbin frequently advises on TUPE claims as well as restrictive covenants and confidentiality breaches. Described as ‘outstanding’, David Roath has experience with consulting on large-scale redundancies. Claire Merritt and Charlotte Farrell are also notable members of the team; Merritt specialises in advising clients within the education sector, while Farrell is recommended for queries relating to immigration as well as common HR issues.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP houses a strong team in Southampton that is co-headed by Christina Tolvas-Vincent and Jon Hales. Tolvas-Vincent has a wealth of experience handling various employment issues and she is especially capable at navigating cross-border matters, and Hales regularly advises on contracts and policies as well as restructurings and redundancies. Charlotte Bloomfield and Dan Fawcett are further standout members of the team; Bloomfield is experienced at advising on TUPE and outsourcing issues, while Fawcett is recommended for sensitive discrimination cases and the enforcement of restrictive covenants.

Described as ‘efficient, responsive, knowledgeable, and supportive’, the team at Blake Morgan LLP advises on a breadth of matters spanning health and safety regulations, immigration issues, and pensions. The team is headed up by Rajiv Joshi, who splits his time between Southampton, Reading, and Oxford. Joshi has extensive experience in the field of employment law; he regularly advises on employment contracts, staff handbooks, unfair dismissals, and discrimination claims. The team in Southampton was strengthened by the arrival of Louis Howlett from DC Employment Solicitors in March 2024, and Jane Biddlecombe from Paris Smith LLP in April 2024. Vicky Schollar left the firm in January 2024.

Herrington Carmichael LLP‘s team, led by the ‘charismatic, pragmatic and sharp‘ Alistair McArthur, is known for its ability to handle the full range of issues concerning cross-border senior exits, unfair dismissals, and whistleblowing employment tribunal proceedings. McArthur is well-versed in TUPE and post-termination issues, while Darren Smith is noted for his strong focus on the leisure and hospitality sector, often representing clients in discrimination cases. Hannah King is a key name within the team for data protection work.

Moore Barlow is especially skilled at advising corporate clients on all aspects of employment law, including employment mandates arising out of insolvency proceedings and M&A. The team is also experienced at handling employment tribunal claims relating to unfair dismissals and allegations of discrimination. Leading the team, Katherine Maxwell splits her time between the offices in Southampton and Richmond; she is a key source of advice for restrictive covenants and TUPE issues. Claire Wagstaff is another key member of the team who regularly assists clients with queries relating to redundancies and restructurings.

Shoosmiths LLP advises its clients on the breadth of employment law matters, including restrictive covenants, discrimination claims, long-term sickness issues, and grievance procedures. With more than two decades of experience in employment law, Stuart Lawrenson leads the team in Southampton. Lawrenson routinely advises HR professionals on various legal matters, and is also recommended for cases relating to collective redundancies and TUPE issues. Sian Hoare is a go-to lawyer in the region for immigration queries, and Ashlie Cheshire is also noted for her assistance with reviewing policies and procedures as well as drafting settlement agreements.

Trethowans LLP routinely advises companies on issues such as poor performance, allegations of discrimination, and whistleblowing. Spearheading the team in Southampton, Kathryn Evans has in-depth experience dealing with the employment issues arising out of mergers and acquisitions. Andrew Crudge is another core member of the team who also regularly advises on cases relating to collective redundancies and TUPE issues. Kira Mountain is also noted for her capabilities with advising clients on common HR problems; she also has experience handling claims before the Employment Tribunal.

BDB Pitmans is experienced at advising on everyday employment matters such as employment contracts, policies, hybrid working issues, redundancies, and HR support. Described as ‘outstanding’, Chris Greep is located in Southampton. Greep handles both contentious and non-contentious work, and has in-depth experience advising on settlement agreements and restrictive covenants. The team is headed up by Caroline Yarrow, who splits her time between the offices in London and Cambridge.

Biscoes houses ‘an extremely proactive team that offers a first-class service’. The team advises on the breadth of employment law matters, including unfair dismissals, disciplinary problems, and the drafting of employment contracts. Stuart Seagrove heads up the employment practice in Portsmouth; described as ‘superb’, Seagrove is experienced in handling large-scale redundancies and complex TUPE issues. Luke Brown is another integral part of the team, who routinely advises both employers and employees on a variety of employment matters.

Based in Southampton, Marc Long heads up the employment and HR team at Clarke Willmott LLP. Long is noted for being a skilled advocate, and is also recommended for TUPE matters. Nicole Adams is regularly involved in Employment Tribunal work, including cases relating to unfair dismissal and discrimination. Gina McCadden is another integral part of the team; she advises on grievance procedures, performance management issues, and settlement agreements.

Located in Basingstoke, the ‘extremely experienced and knowledgeable’ team at Phillips Solicitors advises on immigration, recruitment, redundancy, and discrimination claims. Leading the employment practice, Jacqueline Kendal regularly represents clients in the Employment Tribunal; she is also experienced in advising on the enforceability of restrictive covenants, TUPE issues, and unfair dismissal claims. Sarah Filsell is recommended for her skills in handling settlement agreements as well as drafting staff handbooks and employment contracts.