Robert Lewis

Partner

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Profile

Robert Lewis is a Partner in Mishcon de Reya's Employment Department and Head of the firm's Education Group. A leading UK education and employment lawyer, he advises both institutions and individuals on complex legal issues across the education and employment sectors.

As an employment lawyer, Robert has deep expertise in discrimination law, whistleblowing, executive misconduct, trade union relations, restrictive covenants, and day-to-day HR advisory work. He frequently supports high-profile clients in sensitive internal investigations and settlement negotiations.

As an education law specialist, Robert advises schools, Oxbridge colleges, universities, multi-academy trusts, and families on crisis management, safeguarding, student and parent complaints, exclusions, academic freedom, and equality law. His background as a former teacher and current governor of the Latymer Foundation gives him unique, practical insight into the education landscape.

Robert is a former Co-Chair of the Industrial Law Society and a member of the Employment Lawyers Association. He is a regulator contributor to articles, podcasts and is frequently interviewed by the media as an employment and education expert.

More Details

Key Experience

Employment law

Advising a leading fintech business on an investigation into alleged misconduct by a member of its Executive Committee.
Representing an employer in the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court on the correct legal test for detriment in the Part Time Workers (Less Favourable Treatment) Regulations (Augustine v Data Cars Limited [2025] EWCA Civ 658).
Representing Neil Butler and Luke Lockyer in successfully obtaining injunctive relief against the NASUWT, requiring the union to reopen nominations for General Secretary.
Securing a multi-million-pound settlement for a senior partner at a Big Four consultancy following claims of discrimination and victimisation.

Education law

Robert regularly acts for schools, Oxbridge colleges, universities, and individuals in complex education law matters, including:

Advising a well-known independent school on investigating and responding to allegations of exam malpractice.
Supporting a higher education institution through a complex internal investigation into misconduct by senior staff.
Representing the family of Siham Hamud in a successful legal challenge to a school uniform policy that infringed on religious rights.
Advising a multi-academy trust on complaints from parents regarding the PSHE curriculum, including content on gender identity and sexual orientation.
Assisting a leading school with responding to a student complaint alleging philosophical belief discrimination.
Guiding the trustees of an academy in managing allegations of bullying by senior leadership.

Recognition

Ranked in Chambers UK 2025, Band 3 for Education: Individuals.
Described by clients as “very perceptive, intelligent, easy to deal with, and flexible.”

Career History

Partner, Mishcon de Reya LLP
Managing Associate, Mishcon de Reya LLP
Trustee, Latymer Foundation
Associate (Qualified 2013), Farrer & Co LLP
Kingsbury School & Sports College, History Teacher
University of Oxford (The Queen's College), Modern History & Politics

Robert is best in the trenches and has very good attention to detail.
Chambers and Partners, 2026

Rob was excellent and combined legal detail with practical advice.
Chambers and Partners, 2026

Excellent practical and legal advice in the Education sector; empathetic yet firm in dealing with opponents. A strong defender of his client base who readily gains and retains their confidence.
Legal 500, 2026

Robert's calm and measured response was perfectly judged. He knew what to do at all times.
Chambers and Partners, 2026

Robert Lewis was competent and guided us through a slightly tricky situation. Robert has a good view of the broader picture and problem, beyond the legal issues, and he discussed possible solutions with us, focusing on understanding what we saw as the best solution.
Legal 500, 2026

He is experienced and has the ability to handle complex situations and provide clients with possibilities.
Chambers & Partners, 2025

He had a professional and prompt approach, which put me at ease.
Chambers & Partners, 2025

Robert acted very professionally throughout. He understood the complexity and acted in a very commercial manner with a goal to get to a sensible outcome.
Chambers & Partners, 2025

His expertise has served us incredibly well. His knowledge is expert-level, and without it we wouldnt have been able to achieve what we have done.
Chambers & Partners, 2025

Robert was utterly professional and attentive throughout. He focused on outcomes and was highly empathetic. The service he provided was of the highest quality.
Chambers & Partners, 2025

Robert Lewis clearly understood the education sector very well so was able to provide an empathetic and professional service.
Legal 500, 2025

'Robert Lewis expertise are outstanding. They have been fundamental to the success of our work.
Legal 500, 2025

Robert Lewis has the capability to handle the cases in a considerable and practical way, which is very important for the clients to understand what would be the best options for them to pursue.
Legal 500, 2025

Robert Lewis is one of the best in the area. He combines very strong legal skills with sound judgment and is a pleasure to deal with.
Legal 500, 2025

It is clear he has an ability to empathise and react to an emotionally charged situation without losing the bigger picture.
Legal 500, 2025

Robert Lewis took charge of the situation very quickly, put in a significant amount of work to fully understand the matter and the legal aspects and provides calm and measured advice.
Legal 500, 2025