Fox & Partners

We're honoured to once again be named by The Times as one of the top 250 law firms in England and Wales, based on research among our peers in the legal profession. Commended for our work in Employment Law, the guide says "Fox & Partners is a specialist employment and partnership firm based in the City of London, with a reputation for dispute resolution. It is well known for acting for companies, firms, partners and senior executives in managing sensitive exits, as well as employee and partner competition issues. The firm works across all sectors, but predominantly in professional, insurance and financial services." https://lnkd.in/eE9bwjsm

Our partner Catriona Watt comments for International Employment Lawyer on the implications of the government's plans for legislation. https://lnkd.in/eJwfB4YM

Very proud to share the team’s feedback from our clients and industry contacts as reflected in the latest edition of Chambers and Partners. Our firm’s specialist experience in High Court Litigation in employment and partnership cases has been rewarded with a place in Band 2 of the directory’s new Employment: Employer High Court Litigation practice section, and our partner Caroline Field is recognised as a leading partner in the category. In the rankings for employment advice to senior executives, the firm has maintained its Band 2 ranking, with a promotion of our Caroline Field to join Catriona Watt in Band 2. Partner Ivor Adair is also ranked in Band 3 and our Legal Director Shoshana Bacall is now listed alongside Shiv Raja as Associates to Watch. In terms of our partnership we retain our ranking as one of the top firms in the country, alongside some stellar firms in Band 1. Partners Catriona Watt and Caroline Field are also ranked in Band 1; Dean Fuller is Band 3 and Ivor Adair in Band 4, with Shoshana Bacall continuing to be ranked as an Associate to Watch. Huge thanks to our clients and contacts for providing such wonderful feedback.

In our new blog, Shiv Raja and Maree Cassaidy provide an introduction to the concept of 'Reasonable Adjustments'. The Equality Act 2010 imposes a duty on employers to make reasonable adjustments for disabled individuals in the workplace. This can be a tricky legal concept, and it is one that we are seeing arise more and more frequently in the partner and senior executive space, partly as a result of the growing focus on mental health and neurodiversity.  You can read the blog here https://lnkd.in/e9D8a4B8 and also take a listen to our latest 'Foxed?' podcast on the same topic here: https://lnkd.in/e4imtwiW

Our Ivor Adair comments for Personnel Today on the government's latest proposals for new employment rights.

In 2021, I spoke to Catriona Watt at Fox & Partners about wellbeing in leadership, in a podcast feature (linked in post below). The conversation is still very pertinent today as we continue to move through the convergence of so many different forces - to say these times are 'VUCA' is an understatement (esp. given that 'VUCA' was coined in 1987). Before the Pandemic, stress was already being described as the epidemic of the 21st century by the World Health Organisation. At the time, I had a conversation with a training company about the appetite for delivering training for organisations on prioritising wellbeing in the workplace (that I was pitching). ➡They told me that companies weren't interested. A global pandemic and a few years of its aftermath, and prioritising mental health in the workplace is the theme of this year's World Mental Health Day, today. So, I'm interested to know if approaches to wellbeing have changed in your organisations? Are your leaders modelling the importance of taking care of their own wellbeing? Or do you see these things being talked about and promoted but not applied in practice? Podcast linked in the post below. Please DM me your thoughts on the topic if you can't write them in the comments!

Today is World Mental Health Day with the theme: "It is time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace". At Fox & Partners, we work regularly with employers and employees, partnerships and partners, on the legal issues arising from mental health in the workplace. Growing awareness of mental health, through initiatives such as World Mental Health Day (WMHD), has helped make the workplace a more compassionate and informed place but, as the WMHD organisers say: “Employed adults spend more time working than any other activity during their waking hours. In a myriad ways, and at its best, work can provide a livelihood and be a source of meaning, purpose, and joy. However, for too many people, work falls far short of its potential, failing to enhance our lives and detracting from our mental health and well-being in ways that result in excessive distress and mental ill health. Mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, are pervasive in workplaces globally, impacting productivity, attendance, and overall performance. When left untreated, the staggering economic cost is estimated at US$1 trillion annually by the WHO.” We have a number of resources on our website which can help employers improve mental health in the workplace, including these podcasts: - Disability discrimination – Getting reasonable adjustments right Shiv Raja and Maree Cassaidy discuss how to approach mental health in this context: https://lnkd.in/e4imtwiW - Leadership wellbeing: taking care of senior executives and partners Our Catriona Watt and guest speaker Nikki Swan discuss Senior Executive and Partner mental health challenges and fundamental principles to ensure and implement a culture of wellbeing: https://lnkd.in/eX52Wa6U There are also more resources and ideas on the World Mental Health Federation website. https://wfmh.global/

Our latest Foxed? podcast is now live, offering a great introduction for managers who want to understand more about the complex topic of disability discrimination and making ‘reasonable adjustments’.  Our discussions with employers suggest that getting this right is an increasing concern, especially with growing awareness of mental health issues in the workplace. During this podcast our lawyers Shiv Raja and Maree Cassaidy discuss: - What it means to make reasonable adjustments in the workplace - How an individual may fall within the definition of disability under the Equality Act 2010 - Example scenarios and how to tackle tricky issues - How to approach mental health in this context The consequences of failing to make reasonable adjustments Take a listen now, and do check out our full library of Foxed? podcasts, addressing a wide range of practical topics from the world of employment and partnership law. https://lnkd.in/dxzyiiN

We’re delighted by the latest rankings for Fox & Partners in the new edition of the Legal 500. The guide ranks us for our work for Employers, Senior Executives and Partnerships and we’re honoured to have been promoted to Tier 1 in the Partnership category, alongside some stellar peers. The editors comment:   “Recognised as a ‘superb firm who are really at the top of the partnership game,’ Fox & Partners has a broad partnership offering which covers both contentious and non-contentious matters. While the group focuses on dispute resolution, it is capable of handling exits and retirements, discrimination and harassment, and whistleblowing allegations, as well as lounge clauses, investigations, and disciplinary issues. With a growing client base, the team is predominantly instructed by businesses from the professional services and financial services sectors. "Co-heading the department are partnership specialist Catriona Watt and litigation expert Caroline Field. Watt is sought after for her expertise in departures and arrivals, partner rights and entitlements, and fiduciary duty matters, while Field is noted for her aptitude in leading on disputes regarding rights and entitlements on exit, misconduct, and remuneration. The practice also benefits from the proficiency of Dean Fuller who concentrates on contentious and advisory matters such as disputes, partner moves, and cross-border matters. Ivor Adair stands out for his experience advising hedge fund and law firm partners on contentious exits and LLPs. His position in the Legislative and Policy Committee of the Employment Lawyers Association makes him an asset to the team. Other notable names in the department include Shoshana Bacall and Shiv Raja, both of whom are adept in advising on conduct and harassment investigations, as well as vastly experienced firm founder Ronnie Fox.”   We are delighted also to note that our senior associate Shiv Raja has been included in the Legal 500 rankings for the first time, and that we are one of the few firms ranked for Partnership advice to receive the new recognition for 'Client Satisfaction'.   Thanks to all our clients and colleagues who gave feedback to the guide, and we will, of course, be contributing to Save the Children as the price of a little noise from our own trumpet! #humblebrag https://lnkd.in/eKX5UyCH

Our Jess Tomkinson has been interviewed by International Employment Lawyer on the implications of the abuse claims against Harrods, and advises on how employers should handle historic allegations. https://lnkd.in/e2db6TmZ