Marian is a partner and founder of the firm’s employment group.

Marian advises employer and employee clients on a full range of contentious and non-contentious employment issues.

She has an long-standing reputation in acting for C-level executives (CEOs, CFOs, COOs and CTOs) and other senior executives particularly in the creative, media and entertainment industries, as well as TV, theatre, fashion, retail, advertising, financial services and publishing. She also advises HNW individuals and family offices in relation to their household staff.

Marian specialises in providing pragmatic and strategic advice to senior executives on exit negotiations on termination of employment (with potential claims such as unfair dismissal, discrimination, harassment and whistleblowing) settlement agreements, appointments, and restrictive covenants and workplace issues.

She also advises employer clients on complex employee relations issues (including disciplinaries and grievances and sexual harassment), restructures (including individual and collective redundancies) and on the full range of employment documentation including settlement agreements, employment contracts and policies.

Some of Marian’s employer clients include Marv Studios (film), Cast & Crew LLC (film), Seven.One Studios (TV and film), Delfont Mackintosh Theatres, Nimax Theatres, Society of London Theatre/Theatre UK, International Car Wash Group (retail), Wolford and various internationally acclaimed musicians and producers.

Marian has celebrated a career of 40 years at Harbottle & Lewis having joined the firm in October 1984, becoming a corporate partner in 1989 and founding the employment group in 2000.

TESTIMONIALS

What people say

Marian Derham was very effective and efficient, and able to digest a large amount of background case information (often technical) and identify and extract all the pertinent details to make the best of the case. She was always focused on how to achieve the best outcome and adapted accordingly. She was very easy to work with and explore options with, and at what was sometimes an emotionally charged time she provided excellent support and guidance that only someone very experienced could do so well and convincingly.”

The Legal 500

She was diligent, her understanding of the legal position was exceptional and she provided very clear direction and advice.”

Chambers and Partners

The team have an in depth knowledge of the niche theatre industry. Marian and her team provide clear, concise and relevant advice at speed.”

The Legal 500

Marian was excellent at translating the reality of the situation with me and was always available to guide, advise and support me.”

Chambers and Partners

Marian Derham provides clear, commercial and very good advice across a range of employment issues and I have been able to rely on her to guide us through a number of complex and time sensitive matters. She is also very responsive and a pleasure to work with.”

The Legal 500

Harbottle & Lewis are extremely efficient, knowledgeable and professional. Marian Derham has been amazing in her advice and support to us over the years. So knowledgeable, efficient, and valuable in her support of employment issues.”

The Legal 500

Mariam Derham is very knowledgeable and professional. Results-driven. Reassuring when working on sensitive matters. Big-picture vision on outcomes.”

The Legal 500

Marian is supportive, empathetic and offers clear, pragmatic advice reaching a swift and amicable resolution.”

Chambers UK

Marian Derham’s confident manner together with her deep understanding of my case made her a formidable advocate when acting on my behalf in negotiations. Her availability was excellent, and she was always incredibly responsive (often outside of working hours and weekdays). I would highly recommend her to others.”

The Legal 500

Thank you for your amazing help over the past months. You have been brilliant in giving me level-headed strategic advice, and knowing when to push back. Knowing that you were on my side has genuinely helped me sleep at night.”

Client testimonial (TV executive)

Marian brings a wide range of skills and experience, is incredibly clear as to what needs to be done and guides us thoughtfully at each stage. She also has very strong interpersonal skills.”

Chambers and Partners

Appreciative of [Marian’s] absolute eye for detail and calm and confident manner. I’ve thankfully not been in this position previously but having [Marian] to advise and assist has made the exit negotiation process so much less stressful and painful.”

Client testimonial

Marian always provides concise and clear advice in a timely fashion.”

Chambers and Partners

Marian is hugely experienced in her field and was a trusted adviser to me during a difficult settlement agreement process. She gave calm, supportive and thoughtful counsel and negotiated hard on my behalf. Marian is an attentive listener with laser-focused attention to detail, able to simplify complex content into a strong, impactful argument. This helped her achieve a commendable result for me. I would not hesitate to recommend Marian.”

Client testimonial

Marian is a true gem. Her expertise, knowledge, experience, care and attention to detail are exquisite. Her equal focus on the micro and macro aspects of employment law makes her an invaluable asset to any client.”

Chambers and Partners

Marian’s services came highly recommended and I instantly warmed to her after our introductory meeting. I worked with Marian on my exit and settlement agreement after a long career at the company. Marian is a highly astute and experienced lawyer and this was proven in the outcome we achieved.  Marian was able to negotiate additional items from the outset that I did not consider and certainly did not think was possible. With Marian as my lawyer, I was less anxious around the process, and Marian’s responsiveness also meant that we were able to complete negotiations in a much shorter timeframe which is not always the norm.”

Client testimonial (senior leader, financial services)

Marian is a fantastic lawyer with a huge amount of knowledge. She provides clarity on the most difficult and complex points and can be trusted to provide swift and accurate service.”

Chambers and Partners

Marian Derham is very pleasant to work with; she is responsive, quick to deal with complex matters and highly proficient.”

The Legal 500

Marian was exceptional. She was extremely thorough, concise and reassuring in a complex exit strategy that involved a legal landscape I rarely deal with. I absolutely recommend her.”

Client testimonial (managing director/executive producer, TV production company)

Marian is tough, thorough, wise and supportive. She recently guided me through a highly stressful exit settlement process. Her calm, focussed approach made a difficult, and at times upsetting, period much more bearable. Marian also gets great results.”

Client testimonial

Marian is a highly discreet, thoughtful and impressive professional. She is also a tough and decisive negotiator who cuts through all manner of complication to get to the heart of the matter. Her immediate grasp of any evolving and complex situation meant she provided me with consistently valuable counsel, reassurance and a strong sense of direction and progress. I would recommend her unreservedly for any employment related work.”

Client testimonial (CEO, an advertising agency)

I just wanted to say a huge thank you to you and your team for working with me recently. You did an amazing job and helped me through what was a very difficult time.”

Client testimonial (art director of a luxury magazine)

Your help is most appreciated and you have done a tremendous job, thank you. I remain impressed with you and your team and wish you continued success with your practice.”

Client testimonial (global head of HR at an international travel company)

Marian has supported me on several high profile employment contracts. She is lightening quick and has a forensic attention for detail, even at speed. She also has a fantastically calm and efficient manner which was invaluable. I recommend her very highly.”

Client testimonial (creative director, Europe) - Marian

Thanks for doing such an amazing Job! I really appreciate your help and support.”

Client testimonials (main board director of UK mobile network operator)

Marian worked with me to obtain an acceptable agreement with a long term client. Throughout the process she was extremely supportive, diligent and professional and most importantly she achieved the best results.”

Client testimonial (hotel, restaurant and retail consultant)

The advertising industry is a complex one and Marian has an in-depth understanding of the sector and the dynamics that power it. She is also a pleasure to work with; patient, straightforward, fair, tough for the right reasons and incredibly fast. I would not hesitate to recommend.”

Client testimonial (MD, advertising agency)

The team, led by Marian Derham, were outstanding throughout a very difficult period and I found them to be responsive, thoroughly professional and patient. I found them to be people with a real interest in my case and determined to help resolve the issues. Very impressive client service.”

Client testimonial (tax director of 'big four' accountancy firm)