How does Bellevue Law help employees?
Our team is ranked in both the Chambers & Partners and the Legal 500 directories 2024 for the quality of our advice to senior executives.
""Bellevue has an excellent ability to get to grips with the matters at hand and deal with them appropriately. The whole team are very responsive and proactive in the way they deal with matters." - Chambers UK 2024
We regularly advise employees on legal issues arising throughout the employment lifecycle from recruitment to exit:
- We represent senior executives and professionals planning moves, including advising on post-termination obligations to current employers.
- We advise on contract negotiations with new employers, including key terms such as remuneration and restrictive covenants. Clients are regularly referred to us by headhunters.
- We advise on issues arising during employment, such as grievances, performance concerns, investigations and disciplinary proceedings, and concerns about remuneration or changes to employees’ roles.
- We have a strong track record of advising and representing senior female professionals on issues arising in respect of pregnancy and maternity leave, flexible working, equal pay and discrimination and harassment.
- We have experience of advising individuals working abroad for UK-based companies on their UK employment law rights.
- We regularly assist clients to negotiate the best outcome on termination of their employment - whether by reason of redundancy or otherwise - and advise on settlement agreements. We have also assisted a number of clients on successful appeals against dismissal.
- While most negotiations end in an agreed settlement, if necessary we can represent clients in bringing Employment Tribunal claims, including for unfair and constructive dismissal, discrimination and whistleblowing.
"The empathy, professionalism and kindness you showed me will never be forgotten. Thank you for everything."
"Great advice. Amazing service. Very empathetic team with great expertise." – Legal 500 2022
Who does Bellevue Law help with employment law issues?
We regularly act for employees in the financial services, technology, property, recruitment, energy and fashion industries. We are also often asked to advise and represent other lawyers in disputes with their firms and senior executives at private equity houses and their portfolio companies.
We advise individuals, including in regulated industries, on investigations and allegations of wrongdoing. Our recent experience includes acting for a Chief Executive in an investigation into alleged financial reporting irregularities and a senior bank employee suspended during an investigation relating to alleged financial misconduct.
We have also advised on “Reverse #MeToo” allegations, where an individual is accused of inappropriate behaviour, and represented former employees accused of misconduct, such as breach of confidentiality or post-termination restrictions, after their exit.
We are often referred work by prior clients who feel that we have given them the right balance of commercial advice and a sympathetic ear at a time that is personally challenging.
"Florence answered my call immediately and gave me sound and calming advice before I had an unexpected meeting about a role change. She was strong and clear helping me through a difficult day. Leigh was then assigned my case who was equally helpful, understanding, reassuring and realistic. The working style of Bellevue was fluid and suited my schedule. I recommend this firm without hesitation."
"My experience working with Florence Brocklesby was 100% positive; she was professional and supportive throughout. Her advice was clear and easy to understand; she handled all of my questions with patience, taking care to make sure I was comfortable. I would highly recommend her."
"Bellevue Law have a genuine approach to supporting your case no matter how big or small. I always felt heard and understood , my views considered and respected. All responses were timely and professional never leaving doubt. At times, going above and beyond to ensure right decisions and next steps were made in order to protect me from a cost perspective. I would not hesitate to recommend Bellevue Law."
In Confidence: initial employment law advice service
In Confidence is Bellevue Law’s fixed price initial employment law advice service, offering expert support and guidance to employees facing a difficult issue at work.
In Confidence allows clients to benefit from insightful and practical advice based on our team’s years of experience at an early stage.
During your In Confidence discussion, one of our specialist employment lawyers will listen to your concerns, identify key legal, commercial and practical points, and provide an overview of your legal rights and potential claims. Your In Confidence session will provide insight on potential outcomes and practical, actionable advice.
There is no ongoing commitment, and many clients leave their In Confidence session reassured and with practical next steps they can action themselves. If you do need more detailed advice or representation, however, Bellevue Law will remain on hand to support you.
Next Steps: fixed fee settlement agreement advice
Next Steps is Bellevue Law’s fixed fee settlement agreement service.
Being offered a settlement agreement to leave your job can be a difficult experience. Whether this is due to redundancy or for another reason, it is often an uncertain time, and you are likely to have many questions. We are here to help you through it.
Our Next Steps service provides you with expert advice from one of our highly experienced ex-City lawyers on the terms and effect of the proposed agreement.
In most cases, our fee is covered by your employer, so there will be no cost to you.
The Next Steps service covers a review of your employment contract, draft settlement agreement and any cover letter, a phone or Zoom call to explain the terms of the agreement and your options and answer any questions you may have, preparing an email to your employer requesting any changes you’d like and reviewing a revised version of the agreement.
This service is suitable if you are broadly content with the commercial terms of the proposed agreement, and want to exit the business as well as possible. If you need more detailed advice or representation, our experienced team is also on hand to provide this.
Here are some kind words from previous clients about our settlement agreement service:
Redundancy is a stressful time, therefore it was amazing how much [my lawyer] helped and went above and beyond. I was very happy with the end result she delivered, but more importantly, her guidance throughout the process was reassuring. She provided useful advice, attention to detail and always responded in a timely manner.
Bellevue Law were exactly what you’d want from any lawyer - responsive, thoughtful of your needs (including keeping costs down), straight talking, effective and excellent advisors. I can’t rate them more highly.
Everything about Bellevue Law was to a high standard, and I am very grateful to have had [them] working with me during my redundancy settlement. The process was managed very well, and [my lawyer] kept in touch with me as my situation evolved. She agreed an up-front cost, based on my former employer's cap, and stuck to it... Overall I found it to be a relatively smooth, and educational, process.
[Bellevue Law] was great to work with. Going through something like a redundancy can be quite stressful and the uncertainty of what is to come next is always on your mind, but [my lawyer] was able to walk me through everything and really be in my corner…. Thank you!
