The independent verdict
Chambers & Partners
The firm: Clients praise this firm for its undivided service during extremely lengthy and complex Employment Tribunal matters.
The team’s NHS client base continues to grow, and it has a strong foothold in the private sector, acting for the likes of Barratt Homes, Malmaison Hotels and Sage.
Key individuals: Joe Thornhill is praised for his solution-focused, pragmatic advice, while David Hesselberth has been instrumental in retaining valuable tenders on a nationwide basis.
Bernard Hodgson is singled out as a strong advocate who tells clients what they need to hear rather than what they want to hear.
Tim Smith advises public sector clients on both non-contentious and contentious employment matters. He acts for more than 50 NHS trusts and local authorities throughout the country.
Stephen Elliott specialises in the employment aspects of business transfers and in employment-related data protection issues.
Harmajinder Hayre of Ward Hadaway receives recognition for advising large retail clients on both contentious and non-contentious matters.
(Source: Chambers & Partners UK Guide to the Legal Profession 2010)
Legal 500
2008 saw the appointment of Ward Hadaway to Orange’s national legal panel in addition to the team’s winning of several new regional NHS clients.
The sizeable team includes Bernard Hodgson and Joe Thornhill, who are recommended for "excellent advice with practical applications".
Notable instructions include acting for a large public sector client on a high-profile discrimination claim.
Clients praise the "quality of service, response times and legal knowledge".
(Source: Legal 500, 2009 edition)