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Practices in London — Employment Practice

With new cases, laws and European directives at every turn, employers increasingly need to be aware of the risks and obligations relating to one of their most valuable, and potentially costly, assets: their employees.

At Orrick, we help our clients make the most of this asset, minimise their risks, and concentrate on running their businesses successfully. Our London employment team has wide-ranging experience of the issues encountered by employers operating in the global economy. We resolve problems in the most commercially acceptable way, taking into account the particular needs of the business.

When dealing with the sensitive and confidential issues which arise in this area, personal service is crucial. At Orrick, clients always know who to contact in an emergency and are assured of a prompt response and, if a real crisis occurs, our unique global Legal Crisis Communications Group will help manage the publicity and prevent the crisis becoming a disaster.

With lawyers in 16 offices across seven countries and a long-standing network of contacts in other countries, we regularly coordinate cross-border projects and even give clients the inside track on forthcoming European initiatives and policy.

Orrick's employment lawyers represent many major employers in the world, from the financial sector to producers of household products, in all aspects of employment law, both contentious and non-contentious. Our work is typically divided into four areas:

Counselling

We provide "surgery-style" counselling and drafting assistance to clients on day-to-day employment issues and long-term strategies, covering the whole spectrum of the employment relationship from recruitment to retirement.

Litigation

Where litigation cannot be avoided, we represent clients in the employment tribunal, High Court and on appeal to the higher courts. We work closely with clients and witnesses to minimise the disruption to the business and to ensure that they understand what to expect. We use valuable settlement tools like mediation where appropriate.

Training

We provide tailored training to clients to help them operate best practice and manage their workforce effectively. We also keep clients informed of major developments in employment law as they happen.

Transactions

We work with our transactional and real estate lawyers, providing support on the employment aspects of their deals, including mergers and acquisitions, TUPE transfers, leveraged buyouts, IPOs, joint ventures, outsourcing, lease transfers and commercial property purchases.

Recent work has included:

Advising on enforceability of and enforcing restrictive covenants and confidentiality obligations.
Managing multicountry collective redundancy programmes for multinationals.
Litigating "whistleblowing" claims.
Representing the employer in multiple unfair dismissal proceedings.
Handling the business acquisitions with employees in multiple jurisdictions.
Advising on the prevention of and defending claims under discrimination and equal pay legislation.
Advising on maternity and other parental and family friendly rights.
Advising on the establishment and operation of European and national works councils.
Advising on, coordinating and defending claims arising from local and transnational restructuring exercises and redundancies (collective and individual), plant closures and relocations.
Advising on trade union agreements and disputes.