Averta wins 'Law firm of the year'!

Last Thursday 19 May 2015 at the Birmingham Law Society annual awards dinner the team from Averta were awarded 'Law firm of the year' for up to 4 partners. The award was presented by Brian Moore, BBC sports commentator and former England rugby international. A great time was had by all.


Averta Employment Lawyers appoints new Associate Solicitor, Marianne Browne

Midlands based employment law firm, Averta Employment Lawyers has appointed Marianne Browne as Associate Solicitor.

Before joining Averta which specialises in giving senior executives employment advice, Browne had some time out from the law, running a successful sales agency business which operated in the composites and engineering industry. Prior to that, she had qualified as a solicitor and worked in the Employment and Benefits department of Dentons where she also advised on business immigration matters.

[vc_testimonial client="Browne" position=""]I’m pleased to be back working as a solicitor and also making the most of my experience in business immigration. Averta has just been described as a ‘fantastic’ organisation in Chambers this year, so I think I’ve probably chosen the right firm![/vc_testimonial][vc_testimonial client="Alan Jones" position=""]Marianne has extensive experience in employment law which will be perfect for our private clients and it’s exciting that we can offer advice to individuals on business immigration now. Her commercial experience also means she has a real understanding of the issues that affect our clients and practical experience in negotiating with businesses and other lawyers.[/vc_testimonial]

At Dentons, Browne gained experience of advising corporate and individual clients. She has also negotiated complex settlement agreements for senior executives and dealt with a broad range of employment tribunal claims.

Her experience in business immigration includes applications to join the Register of Sponsors and advice on complying with the obligations of a sponsor licence, Grant of Leave to Remain or Leave to Enter applications and various settlement applications.


Averta recommended employment law firm in Chambers and Partners 2013

Chambers & Partners UK directory for 2013, one of the most respected guided to law firms and published each autumn, has recommended Averta Employment Lawyers and one of its directors Alan Jones in the Birmingham employment category.

The guide says:

“This Solihull-based operation has geared its practice towards advising company directors, managers and senior executives.”

As in previous years Averta is ranked alongside much larger firms and for its work for directors and senior individuals. David Sykes, director at Averta comments:

“We are always pleased that although we are a small operation, our performance means that we are recognised alongside well known corporate firms in the region. It shows that individuals coming to us can be confident that we can more than hold our own when advising on settlement agreements, termination packages, bonuses or other employment issues.”

Chambers also singles out Alan Jones at Averta as a key individual, reporting:

“One client says: “I was confident in his tactics and his understanding of our legal position, its merits and the likely outcome.”

Averta Employment Lawyers was set up nearly 10 years ago to bring commercial experience to advise senior executives.  Both Jones and Sykes were partners at DLP Piper, with Jones heading up the DLA employment team for many years. In 2008, Rachel Broughton joined the team from DLA Piper and is now a director at Averta. Senior associate Kate Caudwell-Hunt , a trainee solicitor and a paralegal complete the team in the Midlands. The firm also opened an office in London this year, which is headed up by London director, Anne Mannix.

For more information on employment law for employers and senior executives please call us 0870 421 1952.


Averta tops tier in Legal 500 2013

This year, as in previous years, Averta tops tier three of human resources firms in the West Midlands, an impressive performance for a niche firm against much larger players. This year Legal 500 comments that: “Niche practice Averta Employment Lawyers specialises in high-value work for senior individuals and some businesses, and has the ‘very experienced’ Alan Jones and David Sykes. Highlights included achieving a settlement of £750,000 for the CEO of a large multinational business.” Managing partner, David Sykes, said: “We are delighted to be recognised for the quality of our advice by our clients and by other law firms.  It’s a real vote of confidence in us and it lets our clients know that even though we are a small firm, the advice they get is second to none.” Alan Jones is also listed as one of the West Midlands’ leading individuals. Legal 500 classifies the West Midlands as comprising Birmingham and the surrounding counties of Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire and Warwickshire. Legal 500 is a full in-depth, comprehensive analysis of law firms across the United Kingdom.  Its material comes from clients and the legal community. Published for over twenty years, the Legal 500 provides the most comprehensive worldwide coverage currently available on legal services providers. It is used by commercial and private clients, corporate counsel, CEOs, CFOs and professional advisers – as well as by other referrers of work both nationally and internationally.

For more information on employment law for employers and senior executives please call  us on 0870 421 1952.


London Employment Lawyer Anne Mannix joins Averta

Former DLA Piper employment partner, Anne Mannix, has joined Averta Employment Lawyers as the director of its new London office in Devonshire Street, which will offer employment law advice to directors, senior executives and professionals.

On leaving DLA Piper in 2003 Mannix went on to become head of employment at BGC Partners/Cantor Fitzgerald. Latterly she has been an employment partner at a niche practice in London, having previously worked at the Practical Law Company as employment law editor.

David Sykes, partner at Averta Employment Lawyers says:
“Anne’s extensive experience fits perfectly with Averta. We have always represented clients from London, but having a senior lawyer of Anne’s calibre on the spot will mean we can provide an even more responsive service.”

From Averta’s London office, Mannix will use her experience working in the city to help senior employees and LLP members with complex work issues. She will also advise small to medium sized companies who need her particular expertise and smaller law firms who do not have the ability to advise on some employment law issues.

Mannix has considerable experience gained in the financial services sector, advising companies, LLPs and senior individuals. She has handled a variety of high value termination claims, including bonus and discrimination issues, and is particularly sensitive to the financial regulatory considerations of a termination.

Mannix commented:
“I think my expertise in employment law issues affecting senior individuals will be a big asset to Averta’s London clients. I am looking forward to working with partners, Alan Jones and David Sykes to further develop the business by offering clients a ‘second to none’ service.”

For some years Mannix has also assisted as legal adviser at her local Citizen’s Advice Bureau, and has worked on a pro-bono basis on a number of tribunal cases. Additionally she is a trustee of two local charities in West London.

Mannix has used her expertise to present seminars and webinars, and provide practical training sessions on a number of employment law topics. She is also a member of the Employment Law Association and the Discrimination Law Association.

To speak to Annie about an employment law issue please call our London office on 0870 421 1952.


Well Done!

Congratulations to our very own Paula Radcliffe(aka Kate Cauldwell-Hunt) who completed the Knowle Fun Run last weekend!