Independent editorial overview of leading London firms and practitioners acting for senior executives, directors, partners and professionals in employment matters. This guide highlights practices with strength in negotiating contracts, handling exits, restrictive covenants, whistleblowing, discrimination and high value bonus disputes. Interested in a professionally optimised subpage for your firm or as an individual lawyer, plus a trust badge if you haven’t received one? Please get in touch via our contact page.
Firms and lawyers are selected from independent directories, public profiles and practice group information. Each entry includes three named lawyers with one or two verified source references.
Top executive employment law firms in London
- Fox & Partners London
Specialist firm focused on partnership and employment law for executives, LLP members and partners, well known in the City.
Notable lawyers: Catriona Watt, Dean Fuller, Ivor Adair.
Sources: 1
- Slater and Gordon Lawyers London
National firm with a London office, providing executive employment advice on contracts, exits and whistleblowing cases.
Notable lawyers: Danielle Parsons, Emma Ahmed, Colin Davidson.
Sources: 2
- Lewis Silkin London
Renowned employment practice advising senior executives on disputes with employers across multiple sectors.
Notable lawyers: James Davies, Colin Leckey, Emma Bartlett.
Sources: 3
- Withers LLP London
High profile City firm with expertise advising executives, professionals and entrepreneurs on employment and partnership disputes.
Notable lawyers: Ben Perry, Katie Williams, Catherine Williams.
Sources: 4
- CM Murray LLP London
Boutique practice specialising in partnership, LLP and executive employment law, including cross border disputes.
Notable lawyers: Clare Murray, Sarah Chilton, Merrill April.
Sources: 5
- Clarkslegal LLP London
Firm advising executives on severance packages, restrictive covenants and discrimination claims.
Notable lawyers: Martin Pratt, Philip Allen, Alex Russell.
Sources: 6
- Gunnercooke London
Innovative model firm with experienced employment partners representing senior executives in disputes and exits.
Notable lawyers: Chris Humphreys, Rebecca Ireland, Elizabeth Marshall.
Sources: 7
- Penningtons Manches Cooper London
City firm with a well regarded employment team advising executives and senior managers.
Notable lawyers: Paul Mander, Tom Walker, Olivia Toulmin.
Sources: 8
- Shakeshafts London
Specialist executive employment firm with a focus on high value exit and contract negotiations.
Notable lawyers: Richard Shakeshaft, Sarah Cooper, Mark White.
Sources: 9
- Dale Murray LLP London
Boutique employment law practice acting for directors, shareholders and executives on disputes and settlement agreements.
Notable lawyers: Dale Murray, Jessica Brown, Alan Hughes.
Sources: 10
Frequently asked questions
What issues do executive employment lawyers handle
They handle service agreements, bonus disputes, restrictive covenants, whistleblowing, discrimination, disciplinary hearings and negotiated exits.
Can an executive negotiate severance terms
Yes. Lawyers can secure favourable settlement packages, protect bonuses and share options, and negotiate references and confidentiality clauses.
What is a restrictive covenant
It is a clause in an employment contract restricting an executive’s activities after leaving, such as non compete, non solicitation or non poaching clauses. Courts assess whether restrictions are reasonable.
How long do employment disputes take
Many resolve in weeks through negotiation. Tribunal or High Court litigation can take several months to over a year depending on complexity.
Are executive disputes confidential
Yes. Settlement agreements often include confidentiality clauses to protect reputations and business interests.
What remedies are available in tribunal claims
Executives may recover compensation for unfair dismissal, discrimination, whistleblowing detriment and contractual losses. Remedies can include reinstatement in rare cases.
Do tribunals hear bonus disputes
Most bonus and share option disputes are contractual and may go to the High Court. Employment tribunals cover statutory claims such as unfair dismissal and discrimination.
Can executives bring whistleblowing claims
Yes. Whistleblowers are protected by law. Executives can claim compensation if they suffer detriment or dismissal for raising protected disclosures.
What funding options are available
Most cases are privately funded, sometimes with insurance. Some firms offer fixed fee consultations, capped fees or conditional fee arrangements in select cases.
How do I choose the right lawyer
Consider sector expertise, track record with executive clients, independent directory rankings and clear advice on costs and strategy.
Endnotes
- Fox & Partners executive employment and partnership services. Source: Fox & Partners.
- Slater and Gordon executive employment services. Source: Slater and Gordon.
- Lewis Silkin employment law overview. Source: Lewis Silkin.
- Withers employment law services. Source: Withers.
- CM Murray LLP employment and partnership focus. Source: CM Murray.
- Clarkslegal executive employment services. Source: Clarkslegal.
- Gunnercooke employment law services. Source: Gunnercooke.
- Penningtons Manches Cooper employment services. Source: Penningtons.
- Shakeshafts executive employment law page. Source: Shakeshafts.
- Dale Murray LLP employment law for executives. Source: Dale Murray LLP.
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