Averta team gains positive recognition in Legal 500 2025

Team described as ‘responsive, commercial and pragmatic’ and the “go-to employment advisers for senior directors.”

Once again, Averta Employment Lawyers has been highly ranked by the leading law firm directory, Legal 500.

The commentary in Legal 500 highlights the team is ‘responsive, commercial and pragmatic’ with “an exceptionally strong eye for detail’.

As in previous years Averta is in Tier Two in the West Midlands Employment category, which is an excellent performance for a small niche firm.  Averta is particularly pleased that all Averta’s partners, associates, and consultants each attracted positive commentary.

David Sykes continues: “Whilst Alan and I started the firm, we have had a great team working with us who have helped to grow and develop  the business over the years. It’s a matter of considerable pride to see our solicitors recognised for their work. It is this team that is ensuring Averta’s ongoing success and we were delighted to have Andrew Lester join Alan and me as partner in our 20th year.”

Alan Jones says: “Twenty years ago, David and I thought there was a space in the market for a firm that focused on the needs of senior executives.  Thankfully, I think we were right and our ongoing recognition by ‘legal bible’ Legal 500 acknowledges we are still fulfilling a demand there. Most of all we are grateful to our clients and professional contacts who have described the firm in positive terms.”

All of the Averta team gained favourable comments in Legal 500 2025, with positive mentions of Alan Jones, David Sykes, Andrew Lester, Izzy Canbury, David Beswick, Alan Dark, Helen Hughes and Charlotte Cooper.

For further information go to https://www.legal500.com/rankings/ranking/c-west-midlands/employment/employment/1953-averta-employment-lawyers-llp


Averta Employment Lawyers promotes Andrew Lester to partner

Andrew Lester, David Sykes, Alan Jones - Averta Employment Lawyers

1st October 2024 - Averta Employment Lawyers, a boutique employment law firm and one of The Times Best Law Firms, is pleased to announce the promotion of Andrew Lester to partner.

Lester joined Averta in 2018 and has been a key contributor to the firm's success. His promotion reflects his expertise and commitment to delivering high-quality legal services to clients.

Commenting on his promotion, he said, “I am delighted to be taking on this new role as partner and look forward playing my part in the firm’s future successes. I want to ensure we remain ‘the place to go’ for senior executive and professionals who can struggle to find high quality legal advice elsewhere.”

David Sykes, one of the founder partners and director at Averta, commented, "Andrew’s promotion is a testament to his dedication and the results he delivers for our clients. He embodies our strategy of combining strong commercial skills with employment law expertise which we use to benefit our clients."

The other founder partner, Alan Jones, added, "Andrew’s promotion to partner is well-deserved. His is a key part of our team and I am really looking forward to working with this to drive the firm’s development in the future."

Before joining Averta, Lester was a partner at Bowling & Co Solicitors in London, where he led the employment law team. Andrew has extensive experience advising SMEs, partnerships, and individuals, and representing clients at Employment Tribunals and in the High Court and County Court.

Andrew’s promotion reinforces Averta’s position as a top-tier employment law firm, recognised for its experience and strong technical knowledge. Many leading legal firms refer their clients to Averta for its specialised expertise in representing individuals.