Employment: Employer
UK Guide 2025 : Northern Ireland
Band 1
About
Provided by Lewis Silkin
To further develop our employment capabilities across Ireland, we joined forces with Northern Ireland’s leading specialist employment law firm, Jones Cassidy Brett, to establish our Belfast office in August 2021. This provides clients with seamless access to the best employment law advice and wider complementary workplace, people and HR services across the UK and Ireland. Building on the success of our office in Dublin, this ensures we are best positioned to support our client’s evolving employment law needs across the whole of the UK and the island of Ireland.
Our team includes 3 partners and 4 associates, as well as a professional development lawyer, trainee solicitor and 2 paralegals in the employment team and a partner and 6 paralegals in the immigration team. The team is local and based in NI with a deep knowledge of the legal concerns relevant to the sector that we are advising our clients in. Our team is known for our strength in our immigration and global mobility work for our clients and our success is demonstrated by the quality of the clients that are coming to us for advice on their most complex and sensitive employment matters.
Our team supports UK and international organisations looking for specialist advice in Northern Ireland in the following areas:
- Employment law
- Data & Privacy
- Public and Administrative Law in N. Ireland
- Immigration & Global Mobility
Chambers Review
Lewis Silkin acts for Northern Ireland's most significant public sector groups and private sector employers. The firm offers distinguished expertise in a range of complex employment matters, including TUPE, claims of harassment and discrimination, and equal pay issues. The team has additional strength in advising clients regarding non-contentious matters such as employment contracts, statutory obligations and policies.
Work Highlights
- Lewis Silkin defended Queen's University Belfast in relation to several discrimination and victimisation claims.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Lewis Silkin's balance of legal expertise and practical problem-solving is second to none. They demonstrate a strong understanding of our business environment, market conditions and industry trends."
"Lewis Silkin are able to translate the complex employment landscape across the UK and Ireland into practical terms. The team is world class and the level of service is excellent."
"Everybody I work with is very personable, knowledgeable and commercial, being sensitive towards the emotional impact and very supportive."
"Lewis Silkin are exceptional in their service levels and responsiveness. Their engaging and supportive approach adds a welcome additional dimension to their service delivery."
"Lewis Silkin understands our business and to that end supports us through robust employment advice, which has added significant value to our business."
"Lewis Silkin's balance of legal expertise and practical problem-solving is second to none. They demonstrate a strong understanding of our business environment, market conditions and industry trends."
"Lewis Silkin are able to translate the complex employment landscape across the UK and Ireland into practical terms. The team is world class and the level of service is excellent."
"Everybody I work with is very personable, knowledgeable and commercial, being sensitive towards the emotional impact and very supportive."
"Lewis Silkin are exceptional in their service levels and responsiveness. Their engaging and supportive approach adds a welcome additional dimension to their service delivery."
"Lewis Silkin understands our business and to that end supports us through robust employment advice, which has added significant value to our business."
Notable Practitioners
Adam Brett represents clients in employment tribunal matters and also handles corporate advisory work. He has significant experience in the full range of employment law work for employers.
"Adam is a significant litigator in this jurisdiction."
Ciara Fulton handles TUPE matters and general employment advisory work, as well as disciplinary and grievance issues. She leads the employment team and is head of Lewis Silkin's Belfast office.
"Ciara is excellent in all regards. She is responsive, brilliant, erudite and reliable. Ciara explains complex legal matters in a sophisticated yet accessible manner."
"Her professional expertise and knowledge coupled with her engaging and supportive approach are fundamental to our organisation's ability to promptly and effectively respond to challenges."
Paul Gillen has a wealth of experience assisting clients with a broad range of employment matters including TUPE and post-acquisition restructuring, in addition to day-to-day HR support. He is well placed to provide cross-jurisdiction advice across the UK and Ireland as he is tri-qualified.
"Paul is quite simply world class."
"His knowledge, experience and personality provide us with an excellent level of service."
"Paul is a very pragmatic lawyer. He has HR experience as well as being very capable at explaining legislation."
"Paul is very personable, professional and commercial."
Belfast-based Kevin Gallagher is a senior associate in the employment practice at Lewis Silkin. He handles employment litigation matters for prominent employers and also handles advisory work.
"Kevin provides exceptional service with a personable approach, making him a pleasure to deal with in every interaction."
"I cannot recommend Kevin enough. He is an expert in his field, providing robust advice while working to help meet the overall needs of the client."
"Kevin is an outstanding support to us. It is a pleasure to do business with him."
Ranked Lawyers at
Lewis Silkin
Northern Ireland
Members
Provided by Lewis Silkin