Lawrence Stephens

We are a *team of bright minds

Joanne Leach

Senior Associate
Employment
T:+44 (0)20 7936 8899 M:+44 (0)7720 160 698 E:JLeach@lawstep.co.uk
Practice areas:
Expertise includes:
  • Acrimonious terminations and negotiation of commercial settlements of claims
  • Contracts and policies, including ESG programmes
  • HR guidance in relation to a wide range of workplace conflicts
  • Technology, education, legal and financial services sectors
  • Unfair and wrongful dismissal tribunal claims including complex discrimination and whistleblowing detriment
Other languages spoken:
English French and Spanish (basic)
Joanne Says:
"Clients recommend me to due to my empathetic and strategic approach to resolving employment-related disputes. I empower my clients to make decisions which are commercially sound, taking into account a holistic analysis of the risks associated with each potential course of action. I work hard to get the best possible result for every individual and business client. I take pride in my trusted advisor status and strive to provide an efficient, cost-effective and caring service to my clients, supporting them so that they can achieve their goals with confidence."

Meet Joanne

I joined Lawrence Stephens in November 2023 as an Associate in the Employment team, having previously worked at a mid-size City firm and a specialist Employment firm.

I act for businesses and individuals in relation to a wide range of Employment law matters, both contentious and non-contentious, at every stage in the life cycle of the employment relationship. My clients come from a wide variety of industries and organisations.

In addition to practising as a solicitor, I am also an experienced 11+ tutor, having run my own business in this sector for 14 years.

In my leisure time I enjoy dancing, theatre, climbing, HIIT training and travel. My superpower is choosing the right book for any adult or child!

Experience highlights 

  • Securing the strike out and withdrawal of unmeritorious claims against a recruitment company client at the preliminary stage of legal proceedings.
  • Negotiating a complex and high-value exit package for the outgoing CEO of a global professional services and technology firm, settling potential unfair dismissal, whistleblowing and breach of contract claims.
  • Advising on the strategy and legal issues associated with the move of senior executives to a competitor in the financial services sector.

"I had the pleasure of working with Joanne Leach for a few months. I would not hesitate to work with her again in the future. Her knowledge of restrictive covenants and non-compete clauses was exhaustive but what I loved the most about her was her strategic thinking. At all times I felt she was a step ahead of everyone else involved in my case."