Employment: Employer: Industrial Relations
UK Guide 2025 : London (Firms)
Band 1
About
Provided by Baker McKenzie
Baker McKenzie's London Employment practice is known as the market leading practice, both domestically and internationally for high end, strategic employment work. We are a growing team in a market where competitors are shrinking and are unrivalled by any other firm in this area by the quality of our practice, our global capabilities and the expertise of our lawyers.
Clients reach out for litigation and internal investigations support on their most high value and strategic matters. The team is strong in Financial Services and particularly experienced in dealing with investigations, disciplinary and accountability reviews arising from regulatory related matters for banks and financial institutions. We have a strong track record in defending clients in this sector in relation to discrimination, whistleblowing, clawback and forfeiture of deferred compensation, and High Court bonus claims. Providing cost-effective outside-of-the-box solutions is a key focus of the practice, which has led to the development of numerous innovations including globally managed employment services, legal project management and client-centric pricing.
Chambers Review
Baker McKenzie has a highly experienced employment team that covers the whole spectrum of employment law, with expertise in restrictive covenants, discrimination and transactional matters. It stands out for its expertise in industrial relations and European Works Councils. The firm frequently represents global employers, with regular work for those in the retail and financial services sectors. It is also widely recognised for its ability to handle complex international employment issues including multi-jurisdictional restructuring processes. Baker McKenzie is increasingly well known for expertise in equal pay matters, as well as its handling of sensitive investigations.
Work Highlights
- Baker McKenzie advised Sika on the global employment considerations of their acquisition of Master Builder Construction Chemicals.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"They are a stellar team with deep expertise in the UK and are go-to advisers in the employment space."
"All the people down to associate level are very detail oriented. They are very commercial, pragmatic and definitive about solutions."
"Bakers are our go-to for complex and sophisticated matters."
"They are a stellar team with deep expertise in the UK and are go-to advisers in the employment space."
"All the people down to associate level are very detail oriented. They are very commercial, pragmatic and definitive about solutions."
"Bakers are our go-to for complex and sophisticated matters."
Notable Practitioners
Monica Kurnatowska has impressive experience handling complex employment disputes and advisory matters for major clients. She is known for her expertise in trade union matters, as well as diversity and inclusion, particularly in relation to equal pay issues.
"Monica is exceptional."
Julia Wilson is a London-based partner at Baker McKenzie who is adept at assisting clients with cross-border employment projects. She also handles advisory matters ranging from data protection issues to whistle-blowing compliance.
"Julia is an amazing partner to work with. She takes time to understand the complexities of our business."
"Julia is incredibly responsive. She brings to the table an effective combination of legal expertise, commercial practicality and is a fantastic sounding board."
"She is pragmatic, personable and responsive."
Stephen Ratcliffe has a client base that includes household-name clients and leading names in the financial services sector. His wide-ranging practice sees him advising on matters such as equal pay disputes, large restructuring exercises and discrimination claims.
"He is a brilliant attorney with top-notch client service skills."
"Stephen's advice is always commercially balanced with an extremely professional and comprehensive service."
Annabel Mackay draws praise for her work on behalf of financial sector clients and large corporates. She regularly advises employers on their defence of whistle-blowing and discrimination claims.
London-based Carl Richards focuses his practice on transactional and advisory employment mandates with a particular specialism in multi-jurisdictional projects. His clients include those in the real estate, private equity and international funds sectors.
"He is a top-notch adviser in the employment space. Carl is strategic, sophisticated and a true business partner."
"He is brilliant, really commercial and can explain a really opaque process to those who aren't as familiar with employment issues."
Kim Sartin is a partner at Baker McKenzie known for her work advising on the employment aspects of significant international transactions. She is also recognised for her knowledge of industrial relations and for her experience in the TMT sector.
"She has extensive employment law experience which informs her practical approach to advising clients."
Jonathan Tuck advises clients on a broad spectrum of employment law matters, including TUPE matters, trade union litigation and modern slavery issues. He is also experienced in handling global M&A transactions, as well as whistle-blowing and discrimination claims.
"He is very personable, knowledgeable and pragmatic."
"Jon is great. He is very strategic in terms of litigation."
Matthew Berridge is a senior associate at Baker McKenzie. He assists clients with a wide variety of employment matters including regular work on transactions spanning multiple jurisdictions.
"He has excellent judgement and strategic vision for the best path to achieve business objectives and successful outcomes."
Rob Marsh is an associate in Baker McKenzie's employment team and earns praise for his work on investigations and litigation.
"He is really into the detail and gives me total confidence that he knows everything going on in the case."
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Provided by Baker McKenzie