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Becci Collins

Posted on: October 3rd, 2024 by Hugh Dineen-Lees

I joined Lawrence Stephens in September 2024, having previously worked at employment boutique firms in the city.

I represent businesses and individuals on contentious and non-contentious matters spanning the breadth of employment law, including (automatic) unfair dismissal, discrimination, and whistleblowing. I act for clients in bringing and defending employment tribunal claims, providing advice on day-to-day HR matters, and preparing and negotiating employment documentation and settlement agreements.

As a result of my experience with SME businesses, mainly those owners-managed and family-run, I am familiar with the unique challenges these organisations face as they grow and am well placed to support them. I am passionate about understanding my clients’ goals and ethos, which enables me to provide bespoke, legally sound advice. I create long-lasting partnerships with my clients by delivering technically precise advice that meets my clients’ commercial objectives.

I am experienced in advising clients from various sectors, including education, fashion, finance, hospitality, charities, religious organisations (of varying denominations), and sports.

My time as an immigration paralegal means I am alert to business immigration requirements. As a result, I have a keen eye to identify where immigration support is required and can facilitate support from our immigration department.

I work closely and in harmonisation with our Corporate, commercial, and Commercial Real Estate departments to provide employment support on the sales and purchases of businesses and properties, particularly where TUPE applies. Through my close work with our sports team, I advise professional sports organisations, ensuring compliance with their regulatory obligations, such as the FA.

My reputation for being easily approachable and communicating clearly and effectively leaves my clients reassured that their matters are in safe hands. My clients describe me as a fighter and praise my ability to be fierce and direct with opponents. I am caring, diligent, and quick to respond.

Outside of work, I enjoy watching rugby and baking sweet treats.

Experience

  • Advising a client in the private equity sector regarding multiple acquisitions.
  • Negotiating settlement agreements for senior executives, including removing restrictive covenants.

 

 

 

Emma Cocker

Posted on: May 3rd, 2024 by Natasha Cox

I joined the Employment team at Lawrence Stephens in March 2024, having practised exclusively at specialist employment firms following completion of my legal training at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP.

I act for businesses and individuals across the whole spectrum of employment law and a variety of industries from owner-managed businesses to large corporations. I have many clients from regulated sectors, primarily within financial services, but I also act for businesses regulated by the Gambling Commission, the Charity Commission, the Football Association and the English Football League.

While I advise on both contentious and non-contentious matters, my day-to-day work focuses on contentious issues. I regularly bring and defend claims arising from the Equality Act 2010 and I also advise clients on how best to balance conflicting or competing priorities under discrimination legislation.

I have extensive experience of dealing with contentious terminations and claims relating to breach of contract, wrongful dismissal and unfair dismissal. I also act in High Court claims relating to breaches of confidentiality obligations and post-termination restrictions arising from employment contracts, share purchase agreements and shareholders’ agreements. This sometimes follows the work I do with my Corporate and Commercial colleagues, advising on employment issues arising from corporate transactions.

Clients recommend me because I am a ‘safe pair of hands’, delivering timely and practical advice which also considers any regulatory obligations to which they are subject. Ultimately, my clients’ commercial objectives are always at the forefront of what I do. With my expertise in employment law complemented by a background in corporate law and prior experience in banking, I provide valuable insights and support to help my clients secure the best possible results.

Outside of work I am a member of the Campaign For Real Ale and love nothing more than attending a good beer festival!

Experience highlights

  • Securing settlement and payment of full costs on behalf on a private equity client in relation to breaches of service and share purchase agreements by the former founders of the purchased business.
  • Securing the withdrawal of unmeritorious claims made against an employer in relation to alleged pregnancy and maternity discrimination following the employee’s dismissal for poor performance.
  • Representing a non-party client in relation in their successful opposition of an application for anonymity orders.
  • Securing a significant settlement for a financial services employee in relation to complex claims of disability discrimination, including a continuous course of conduct occurring over several years.
  • Advising a financial services employer in relation to the dismissal of their CEO, oversight of a subsequent independent investigation and advising on associated regulatory and litigious matters.
  • Advising an overseas employer in relation to parallel grievance and disciplinary investigations relating to claims of sexual harassment and sex discrimination.

Andrew Conway

Posted on: February 10th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

Having qualified in 1995, I joined Lawrence Stephens in April 1999 and have been a Partner since July 2003.

I advise extensively in relation to contractual disputes, breach of warranty claims, employment disputes, debt recovery and enforcement, insolvency-related matters (both personal and corporate), partnership and shareholders’ disputes, professional negligence claims and all manner of property-related litigation. I am also a member of the Property Litigation Association (PLA), and the Employment Lawyers Association (ELA).

My clients include businesses, real estate investment funds, asset managers, lenders and individuals.

I am married with two sons and live in North West London. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, walking our two dogs, Buster and Hugo, playing golf and supporting Watford FC.

Experience highlights 

  • Advising a Premier League footballer in relation to High Court proceedings arising from a contractual dispute with his former agent
  • Obtaining injunctions against the former directors of a software development business in relation to both the theft of confidential information and the establishment of a competing business in breach of post-termination restrictive covenants
  • Advising property developers in connection with a claim for damages against their building contractors for defective works and breach of contract
  • Acting for a property trading company in relation to a disputed claim for substantial dilapidations on expiry of a lease of commercial premises
  • Advising a client in connection with claims (in both the Employment Tribunal and the High Court) against her former employer for unfair dismissal and sex and race discrimination