Laura Donnelly

Associate Solicitor

“I advise employers and employees on a wide range of employment issues striving to achieve the best possible outcome. I enjoy bringing and resolving complicated discrimination cases, particularly disability discrimination, sexual harassment and pregnancy and maternity issues.”

Intro

I am an experienced Employment Law solicitor based at our Brighton and Haywards Heath offices. I have been described by the Legal 500 as “exceptional” and a Rising Star in the South-East.

Expertise

I have particular expertise in:

Bringing and defending Employment Tribunal claims
All types of workplace discrimination, particularly pregnancy and maternity discrimination, disability discrimination and sexual harassment.
Negotiating Settlement Agreements for employer and employee
Delivering training on discrimination in the workplace for MBL
Director exits and disputes
Drafting employment contracts, policies and procedures
Advising on TUPE, reorganisation and redundancy processes
Assisting with grievance and disciplinary processes
Unfair dismissal and constructive dismissal, including whistleblowing

Clients

I represent a full range of employees from junior level up to directors and shareholders. I work hard to achieve the best possible outcomes for my clients, guiding through litigation when necessary and seeking to achieve settlement where possible. As well as privately funded cases, I take on cases funded by legal expenses insurance as a “freedom of choice” Solicitor and have successfully secured funding on various cases where the insurer has initially refused cover.

My employer clients include businesses in sectors such as finance, recruitment and retail, as well as local charities. I encourage employers to deal with matters efficiently and fairly in order to avoid the risks of litigation.

I deliver expert training courses to other professionals via MBL and in house for large organisations on topics including preventing and dealing with sexual harassment complaints and best practice for dealing with pregnancy and maternity. I also deliver training to membership organisations such as the Chamber of Commerce, charities and employee advisers as part of our regular Mind The Bump and #MeToo Matters equality campaigns.

Recent highlights

Acting on behalf of Employees:

Acting for a public sector employee with a serious sexual harassment claim and successfully negotiating a higher Vento band injury to feelings award at Judicial Mediation
Bringing a pregnancy and maternity discrimination claim against an international bank and achieving a middle Vento band injury to feelings award via Judicial Mediation
Supporting a Company Director and Shareholder in dispute with his co-Directors by defending his position against gross misconduct allegations, securing his continued employment and achieving substantial injury to feelings for his disability discrimination claim, as well as getting back dated funding for legal fees initially turned down by his legal expenses insurer.
Doubling a settlement offer received by a financial services employee and securing an extended notice period by raising a robust grievance resulting in a severance package covering one year’s pay

Acting on behalf of Employers:

Guiding an employer in the medical industry to performance manage an employee with mental health problems ensuring a supportive process which made reasonable adjustments.
Defending a supplier company against a Tribunal claim for sexual harassment.
Defending a professional services company against a complex employee status claim.
Guiding various small businesses through reorganisation and redundancy situations ensuring a fair process to avoid the risk of claims.
Advising a property industry company on dealing with an employee on long terms sickness absence and enabling a quick and fair exit.
Advising various clients on updating contract terms and implementing new policies relating to hybrid working.
Helping a charity to fairly manage an employee with ADHD and consider reasonable adjustments.

Qualifications

I graduated from University with a 2:1. After a year of working as a paralegal I completed the Legal Practice Course at the Oxford Institute of Legal Practice, graduating with a Distinction. I qualified as a Solicitor in September 2012 and was made an Associate in 2016.

I am a member of the Employment Lawyer’s Association.

Other experience

Before joining Martin Searle Solicitors as a specialist employment lawyer, I worked for a commercial firm where I also practiced in property law.

I have also volunteered at the Citizens Advice Bureau, providing initial advice to members of the community in relation to employment, housing and debt problems.

I have a life too

In my spare time I do yoga and pilates and enjoy getting out for long walks in the countryside. I also love cooking for friends and family.

Get in touch with Laura

01273 609911

laura@ms-solicitors.co.uk

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