About

Provided by Lewis Silkin

Lewis Silkin works with leading businesses to protect and enhance their most important assets - their ideas, their people and their future. We call it: Ideas. People. Possibilities. 

Widely recognised as the UK's leading specialist employment law practice, our team of over 170 employment and immigration lawyers, including 33 partners advise on all the day to day UK and Irish employment law issues that arise from the initial employment offer to departure and everything in between. 

We have the agility to be fully flexible to what our clients need, providing the right team at the right price for all types of companies whatever their stage of development

Our practice has the distinctive strength in depth to support clients in a range of specialist areas. We have specialist groups who focus on High Court litigation (such as restrictive covenants and team moves), collective employment law (including dealing with trade unions and European Works Councils), data protection and employee privacy, health and safety law and partnerships law. Through our rockhopper service, we can provide clients with low cost, fixed fee helpline and Employment Tribunal support.

Our dedicated senior executives team advise individuals on all aspects of employment law, with particular specialism in discrimination law.

We also advise on the employment aspects of outsourcing and M&A transactions and international employment law through our membership of Ius Laboris, the leading global employment law alliance.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers
Employment: Employer - London (Firms)
1
Band 1
What the Team is Known For

Lewis Silkin is recognised for its work for both employers and senior executives in the financial services, retail, advertising, technology and professional services sectors. The firm houses a deep bench of experienced practitioners who routinely act for clients on discrimination and restrictive covenant matters. The firm's recent work has included advising 'gig economy' employers on matters relating to worker status. It also offers a robust practice advising on the employment aspects of large corporate transactions, including those involving TUPE transfers or substantial international elements. Lewis Silkin also boasts specialist expertise in High Court litigation and sensitive investigations.

Work Highlights

Provided by Lewis Silkin
  • Lewis Silkin acted for Banijay and conducted a comprehensive investigation into the allegations which related to Russell Brand's time working on Big Brother, a programme produced by Baijay UK.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers
James Davies
S
James Davies
S
Senior Statespeople

James Davies draws praise for his experience acting on high-level employment matters. Clients turn to Davies for advice on both domestic and international employment matters.

"He is outstanding in his approach. James is practical and concise."

"He's very impressive."

"James is an excellent employment lawyer."

Richard Miskella
E
Richard Miskella
E
Eminent Practitioners

Richard Miskella receives acclaim for his work on behalf of major employers and senior executives. He is particularly noted for his expertise advising clients on investigations and workplace culture change. Miskella has been the joint managing partner of Lewis Silkin since 2019.

"He's easy to deal with, pragmatic and commercial."

"He's a great lawyer."

David Hopper
1
David Hopper
1
Band 1

David Hopper is a partner at Lewis Silkin who is commended for his expertise in collective employment law and is sought out by employers for his expertise in this area.

"He is always available and very responsive."

"He remained friendly, efficient and fair throughout."

"He has a personable, easy going approach which instills confidence and is a pleasure to work with."

"David is always very responsive, thorough and has an excellent knowledge of union matters and regulation in this area."

Michael Burd
1
Michael Burd
1
Band 1

Michael Burd is a partner in Lewis Silkin's employment offering. He has extensive experience of advising employers on high-level employment disputes and is noted for his work on cross-border matters.

"He is an extremely tough negotiator and really a must-have lawyer on any challenging human resources issue."

"He is very measured, reasonable and experienced."

"Michael is a brilliant lawyer."

"Michael has always provided a high level of service."

Nicholas Hadaway
1
Nicholas Hadaway
1
Band 1

Nicholas Hadaway is a partner at Lewis Silkin who is well known for his work for senior-level employees working in the City of London. He advises clients on high-value disputes and is regularly called upon to handle cases involving discrimination and whistle-blowing.

"He combines a great depth of knowledge of the law with a very dynamic and practical approach to problem solving in high-stakes employment disputes."

"He was extremely skilled in his subject matter and I have had no hesitation in recommending him to others."

"He gets really good results and can see the woods for the trees. He focuses on what matters."

Toni Lorenzo
1
Toni Lorenzo
1
Band 1

Co-lead of the High Court employment litigation practice at Lewis Silkin, Toni Lorenzo is highly experienced in handling High Court disputes and is lauded as an expert on restrictive covenants and team moves. He is recognised for his work with both employers and employees.

"He is very smart and a sharp litigator."

"He is the maestro and is just superb."

David Samuels
2
David Samuels
2
Band 2

David Samuels is a partner in the employment litigation team at Lewis Silkin. He is recommended by clients for his proficiency in handling team move and whistleblowing claims.

"He was a super calm and sophisticated lawyer."

"He's an excellent lawyer, extremely thorough, very knowledgeable and very thoughtful."

"He is a charming, very talented and very studious lawyer. He thinks tactically about the litigation and gets great results."

Michael Anderson
2
Michael Anderson
2
Band 2

Michael Anderson co-leads the High Court employment litigation practice group at Lewis Silkin. He is valued for his High Court experience, particularly in team move litigation, and is noted for his work with financial services clients.

"He is always thinking several steps ahead."

"He is a true expert. He really understands the subject matter and our industry."

Colin Leckey
3
Colin Leckey
3
Band 3

Colin Leckey is distinguished for his expertise in employment cases relating to worker status and equal pay. His clients include technology and financial services firms.

"He always takes a sensible view and is very solutions-orientated."

"He knows the subjects, writes well and has a good awareness of developments in the employment industry."

Karen Baxter
4
Karen Baxter
4
Band 4

Karen Baxter is head of the investigations and regulatory practice at Lewis Silkin. She is particularly sought after for her workplace investigations expertise, as well as her experience with discrimination and harassment claims before the Employment Tribunal.

"She is extremely thorough and detailed and I have every confidence that Karen leaves no stones unturned."

Sean Dempsey
4
Sean Dempsey
4
Band 4

Sean Dempsey is a partner at Lewis Silkin who is recognised for his work advising household-name clients on sensitive employment matters. He regularly advises clients in the technology sector. Dempsey is well placed to provide cross-jurisdictional employment advice across the UK and Ireland as he is triple-qualified.

"A true partner and trusted advisor. He is super talented and always delivers beyond expectations."

"Sean is extremely responsive, excellent at client care and gives sound, pragmatic advice on all issues consulted on."

"His superior client care is evident in the attention he pays to our needs and in the way he always looks out for opportunities to go the extra mile and to provide us with value."

Tarun Tawakley
5
Tarun Tawakley
5
Band 5

Lewis Silkin partner Tarun Tawakley draws on his experience as the former head of employment law and commercial litigation at Deliveroo to provide expert advice to clients that operate in the 'gig economy'. He regularly advises clients on compliance and worker status issues.

"Tarun knows his clients very well, and is always on hand to help out on an urgent basis."

"He is exceptionally bright, dynamic, passionate and engaging."

Shalina Crossley
U
Shalina Crossley
U
Up and Coming

Shalina Crossley expertly conducts investigations into workplace discrimination and misuse of confidential information allegations. Her recent work includes advising on sexual and financial misconduct.

"Sha has excellent relationship management and execution."

"Shalina is excellent on every front. She is responsive, efficient, her advice is always spot-on and she is technically excellent."

Laetitia Cooke
Laetitia Cooke
Star Associates

Laetitia Cooke is a managing associate at Lewis Silkin. Her practice sees her handle a broad range of matters for senior individuals, with recent cases involving whistle-blowing, harassment and discrimination.

"She is very capable, knowledgeable and has an excellent understanding of the context."

"She communicates in an appropriate and empathetic manner."

Carla Watling
Carla Watling
Associates to watch

Carla Watling is a managing associate at Lewis Silkin. She is called upon by employers to handle team move litigation and transactional support. Watling has particular expertise in handling matters pertaining to recruitment law and employment status.

"She is always very conscientious, on top of the matter and enjoyable to deal with."

"Carla is an excellent advisor with deep legal knowledge and a keen business sense."

Ranked Lawyers at
Lewis Silkin

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

London (Firms)

Employment: Employer

James Davies
S
James Davies
S
Senior Statespeople
Richard Miskella
E
Richard Miskella
E
Eminent Practitioners
Michael Burd
1
Michael Burd
1
Band 1
Toni Lorenzo
1
Toni Lorenzo
1
Band 1
Colin Leckey
3
Colin Leckey
3
Band 3
Michael Anderson
3
Michael Anderson
3
Band 3
Karen Baxter
4
Karen Baxter
4
Band 4
Sean Dempsey
4
Sean Dempsey
4
Band 4
Tarun Tawakley
5
Tarun Tawakley
5
Band 5
Shalina Crossley
U
Shalina Crossley
U
Up and Coming
Carla Watling
Carla Watling
Associates to watch
Employment: Employer: High Court Litigation

Toni Lorenzo
1
Toni Lorenzo
1
Band 1
David Samuels
2
David Samuels
2
Band 2
Michael Anderson
2
Michael Anderson
2
Band 2
Carla Watling
Carla Watling
Associates to watch
Employment: Employer: Industrial Relations

David Hopper
1
David Hopper
1
Band 1
Employment: Senior Executive

Richard Miskella
E
Richard Miskella
E
Eminent Practitioners
Nicholas Hadaway
1
Nicholas Hadaway
1
Band 1
Toni Lorenzo
2
Toni Lorenzo
2
Band 2
Laetitia Cooke
Laetitia Cooke
Star Associates