Legal 500 rates Russell Jones and Walker the best employment firm for individuals

• Employment

7 September 2010

The Legal 500 published its new rankings of UK law firms today and re-iterated its rating of Russell Jones and Walker as the best firm in London for individuals in employment matters. Singling out an unprecedented seven partners for praise, it noted that the London employment team is ‘extremely well stocked with excellent lawyers.’

"Extremely well stocked with excellent lawyers’, Russell Jones & Walker has ‘carved out a niche providing strong advice and representation’ to individuals. The team includes ‘very intelligent, thorough and analytical’ practice head Edward Cooper, who handles collective employment issues, senior executive disputes, and trade union law, and has been active in the challenge to the Gurkhas’ pension arrangements; Clive Howard, an expert in partner and senior executive disputes, who ‘manages to turn circumstances to his clients’ advantage without any drama’; the ‘meticulous and thorough’ Emma Hawksworth, who is ‘wise and intuitive, outstanding in supporting clients, and strategically strong’ on discrimination, equal pay and maternity; Julie Morris, who is ‘outstanding’ and provides ‘liberal backbone’ on high-value maternity and whistleblowing claims; and Paul Daniels, whose expertise includes disability discrimination cases. The newly promoted John Marshall specialises in City executive and team moves, and Arpita Dutt ‘demonstrates real nous’ in discrimination and whistleblowing claims."

In addition the legal guide named the 'excellent' Manchester employment team as a first-tier regional claimant practice, calling partner David Franey ‘brilliant: very thorough and knowledgeable’ and singled out Cardiff-based employment solicitors Rachel Harfield and Juliette Franklin for praise.

It also acknowledged our work for professional partners for the first time by recommending us in the Partnership category.

The Legal 500 provides comprehensive worldwide coverage on legal services providers, in over 100 countries. Used by commercial and private clients, corporate counsel, CEOs, FDs and professional advisers - as well as by other referrers of work both nationally and internationally - the series is widely regarded as offering an important  judgement of law firm capabilities.

Commenting on the new rankings Edward Cooper, Head of the Employment Department, commented. “It has always been our desire to build a department that can act as a one stop shop for any individual with an employment issue, regardless of who they are or where in the country they are based. I am delighted the Legal 500 has recognised our efforts as it is evidence that we have gone some way to achieve that."

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