Emma Hawksworth, Partner

• Area of expertise: Employment
• Office: London - Swinton House
• Email:e.j.hawksworth@rjw.co.uk
• Telephone:020 7339 6438

Emma specialises in all aspects of employment law, with particular emphasis on sex discrimination and maternity rights. She has conducted employment tribunal cases concerning the overlap between discrimination and health and safety, including claims relating to employment rights at work during pregnancy and rights at work for new mothers. Emma also advises institutional clients on maternity and family-friendly policy matters.

Emma also has an interest in indirect sex discrimination and part-time working claims. She has considerable experience of acting for clients in tribunal claims relating to part-time and flexible working issues. Emma works part-time and flexibly herself to enable her to care for her two daughters, 6 and 3, and so enjoys a personal as well as professional interest in these issues!

Emma also specialises in equal pay issues.  She is currently acting in the case of Cadman v HSE, generally considered to be one of the most important equal pay claims for a decade.  The European Court of Justice have made a favourable ruling and the case returns to the Court of Appeal for a decision on the claim.

Emma also specialises in public law and pensions. She has conducted numerous judicial review applications, particularly in relation to pensions and public sector employment rights. She also acted for a representative defendant in litigation concerning a substantial public sector pension scheme. She has substantial experience of advising on privacy, data protection and related issues, and has acted for clients bringing claims before the investigatory powers tribunal and the security vetting appeals panel.

Emma has considerable experience of pursuing group litigation on behalf of employees, including collective redundancy and negligence claims.

Emma enjoys giving talks and seminars on employment law issues. Previous topics have included maternity rights; justification in part-time working claims; fixed-term workers; pensions and data protection. Emma is on the Equal Opportunities Commission recommended panel of solicitors.  She is also a member of the Employment Lawyers Association.

Emma joined Russell Jones & Walker as a trainee solicitor in 1995, qualifying in 1997. She was made a partner in 2003. She graduated with a degree in English and Modern Languages from Oxford University in 1991 and undertook her legal studies at the University of Westminster.

Emma is recommended in Chambers and Partners 2008:

"Emma Hawksworth is rated for her “sensible, persuasive and thorough approach,” as well as her ability to build a rapport with clients. She acted in Cadman v Health & Safety Executive, a complex equal pay ruling referred to the ECJ by the Court of Appeal and one of the key cases in this field. Discrimination, equal pay and maternity, public law and pensions all fall under Hawksworth's remit."

• City worker accuses firm of racial and sex discrimination
• Employment tribunals 'to be able to adjust compensation awards'
• Database of employees accused of misconduct 'likely to be illegal'
• Council manager sues for unfair dismissal and disability discrimination
• Sacked vet wins £100k in dispute settlement