Crawley Expansion for Martin Searle Solicitors
Ian Maull
Martin Searle Solicitors has launched a new office at the Basepoint Business Centre in Crawley to house their rapidly expanding employment team, including newcomers Elaine Abbs and Susan Dennehy.
Fiona Martin, the firm’s national head of employment law and an accredited mediator, will be heading up the Crawley expansion. For Fiona, the move is a return to old hunting grounds, having spent several years as a solicitor in Crawley where she advised the travel industry in particular, before co-founding martin searle solicitors.
Fiona said: “I have very fond memories of my days in Crawley and am truly delighted that we now have a presence here. The Gatwick Diamond is a real entrepreneurial hub with an impressive array of employers that we can now service locally.”
This month, Martin Searle Solicitors renewed their Investors in People accreditation, whose independent assessors praised the firm for having a “strong commitment to social responsibility… underpinning the caring reputation and social ethic the firm has developed and is proud of”.
Martin Searle Solicitors boasts an impressive track record in employment law, winning the vast majority of all cases the firm takes on. “Acting on behalf of both businesses and employees gives us a unique insight into both sides of employment disputes, providing a real strategic advantage – something which has stood our clients in good stead,” said Fiona.
As well as a new office, the firm is also excited to welcome two new employment law solicitors to the existing team, each with invaluable experience of representing employers and employees.
Elaine Abbs brings her first-class knowledge of employment law to the firm, having enjoyed a varied career working as both an employment law solicitor at firms such as Lewis Silkin as well as being HR manager at St. Leonards-Mayfield School. Elaine’s first-hand experience of the challenges and dilemmas facing HR professionals will be a great asset for her clients.
Susan Dennehy has worked for both employers and employees, and in her most recent role as Legal Advisor for The Newspaper Society, provided in-depth employment law advice to newspaper companies across the country. Susan has also worked at union firm Pattinson Brewer, providing specialist advice on workplace issues.
Susan Dennehy, Fiona Martin and Elaine Abbs
Speaking about her expanding team, Fiona Martin said: “It’s rare to find such a large breadth of experience in an employment law team. All of our employment lawyers work exclusively in this field, which has given us a unique insight and level of experience which is hard to find elsewhere. Our team have a collaborative approach, and we pool our knowledge and resources to find the best possible solutions for our clients.”
