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Employment

INTRODUCTION

Our employment lawyers, who were shortlisted for ‘Employment Team of the Year’ at the Chambers UK Awards 2025, provide strategic, straight-talking advice and solutions to employers and executives. Across varied sectors, including media and technology, creative industries and financial and professional services, we help businesses and employees to handle employment law matters with confidence.

We advise on the full spectrum of employment law and day to day HR issues, including recruitment, restructuring, termination of employment, restrictive covenants, incentive scheme participation, bonuses, discrimination and all forms of contractual disputes and breakdowns in the employment relationship. We support our clients through the full lifecycle of employment, from recruitment through to termination of employment and post termination. Our lawyers are on hand to manage litigation should things not go to plan, pursuing and defending claims in the Employment Tribunal and in the High Court.

Our clients value our personalised professional approach to truly understanding their circumstances and objectives. The insight and experience acquired by our dedicated team of employment law specialists acting for both employers and executives, with the added benefit of access to the firm’s leading specialist reputation management and corporate lawyers, means that we are uniquely well placed to provide assistance to our clients.   

For more information about our fees, click here.

Our people

Get in touch

Partner

Marian Derham

Employment
Partner

Yvonne Gallagher

Employment
Partner

Howard Hymanson

Employment
Managing Associate

Poppy Lucas

Employment and immigration
Managing Associate

Sarah Verrecchia

Employment
Senior Associate

Mark Primrose

Employment
Senior Associate

Lucy Burrows

Employment
Associate

Elisabeth Davies

Employment
Associate

Harry Wade

Employment
Associate

Kate Melton

Employment

Testimonials

What people say

Friendly and approachable demeanour at all times. Really supportive and helpful advice. [Harbottle & Lewis] have seen us through all our employment disputes and helped us with all our tricky contract back-and-forths.”

The Legal 500 (Employers)

Track record in high profile disputes and success in negotiations and breadth of expertise in employment matters, including discrimination claims, employment tribunals, senior exits. Partner involvement – hands on approach at partner level. Delegation kept to a minimum. Team collaboration.”

The Legal 500 (Senior Executives)

The employment team at Harbottle & Lewis stands out in their efficiency, industry knowledge and with a focus on clear, practical advice and support. They are a top-tier team and highly recommended.”

The Legal 500 (Employers)

What struck me from my very first interaction with the firm was their ability to provide a personal touch despite dealing with large companies and being a large company themselves.”

The Legal 500 (Senior Executives)

The Harbottle & Lewis employment team is exceptionally good at having a depth of knowledge of the detail of current and forthcoming law and being able to translate it to pragmatic advice and applications, bringing it to life for clients.”

The Legal 500 (Employers)

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 (Employers)

Everyone from the employment team is extremely knowledgeable, pragmatic and collaborative ensuring that no unnecessary time is billed for. Team members are happy to discuss possible solutions and ideas.”

The Legal 500

The practice brings a unique blend of vast experience in the arts and creative industries as well as an extraordinary level of expertise in law. I was unable to find a comparable practice.”

The Legal 500

Harbottle & Lewis have unquestionable knowledge on all aspects of employment law. This gives me complete trust in a positive outcome.”

Chambers UK

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 (Employers)

Through years of service with us, the team has got to know our business well and understand the need of the business and of the key decision makers. Key capabilities on grant contracts, property management, employment, charities, and organisational change.”

The Legal 500