Will is a Partner and Knowledge Lawyer in the Employment department, advising on both contentious and non-contentious employment matters. He acts for employers and employees across a range of sectors, with particular expertise in media, advertising, retail and finance. Will is also a member of the firm's Recruitment group, providing specialist advice to recruitment agencies on all aspects of employment law.
Advisory and Transactional Work
Will has extensive experience drafting and negotiating service agreements, settlement agreements, and comprehensive employment policies. He regularly advises clients on the employment law aspects of corporate transactions and real estate deals, with particular focus on TUPE regulations and workforce transfers. His advisory practice also encompasses compliance matters, including obligations under the Modern Slavery Act 2015 and the Bribery Act 2010.
Contentious Employment Matters
Will has acted in a wide range of employment disputes, including claims involving discrimination, wrongful and unfair dismissal, whistleblowing, and the enforcement of restrictive covenants. He has substantial experience in collective employment matters, having advised on trade union recognition applications and assisted clients through complex industrial disputes.
Thought Leadership and Professional Activities
Will takes an active role in training and knowledge development and heads the Employment team's training offering, Enable. As well as providing interesting and entertaining training sessions to clients on a bespoke basis, he regularly speaks at conferences and client seminars on employment law topics. He contributes written articles on current legal developments and is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association. He is on the Law & Policy Committee of the Employment Lawyers Association, and a member of the legal advisory panel of Protect, the whistleblowing charity.
Prior to qualifying as a solicitor, Will worked in the film and television industry for several years.
Key Experience
- Acting for a fund management company in respect of a significant whistleblowing claim brought by a former employee
- Acting for a fund management company in relation to a disability discrimination claim brought by one of its senior officers
- Advising a senior executive in an FCA regulated entity accused of serious regulatory breaches
- Advising on an acquisition of a multinational business, operating in 63 jurisdictions
- Advising an investment fund in relation to allegations of fraud against its CEO
- Sitting on the legal advisory subcommittee of a trade federation for the recruitment industry in respect of the Agency Workers Directive
Career History
Partner, Mishcon de Reya LLP
Legal Director, Mishcon de Reya LLP
Managing Associate, Mishcon de Reya LLP
Solicitor, Mishcon de Reya
Associate, Dechert LLP
Trainee, Dechert LLP
Newcastle University, BA English Literature
Articles and Publications
Will regularly speaks at external seminars on topics such as the Bribery Act, the difference between banter and harassment, employment law updates, and social media and the employment relationship.
He regularly drafts articles for publications, which have included Property Week, In-House Lawyer, Real Business Magazine, and the Employment Law Journal.