News
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
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.
Chambers recognise Averta’s achievements in employment law
Leading legal Directories, Chambers and Partners have again recognised Averta’s strengths across a range of employment issues in the recently published 2022 directory.
In Chamber and Partners 2022, Averta was ranked in category One for Employment: Employee in Midlands.
To quote from the Chambers 2022 edition about Averta:
“Claimant-oriented firm that advises employees from both the private and public sectors across the whole spectrum of employment issues. Particular strengths include assisting with tribunal claims and settlement agreements. Continues to advise on restrictive covenant disputes, as well as harassment and discrimination claims. Particularly adept at handling and negotiating exit strategies for senior executives. Also advises on pensions issues, whistle-blowing claims and redundancies.”
Clients interviewed commented:
“…a very professional outfit who know their stuff and also showed empathy with our concerns.”
“The firm are brilliant and do what they say they will,”
“They never missed a beat.”
“I always find them professional, courteous and commercially minded. You know they’re going to be sensible.”
Both Alan Jones and David Sykes, founder partners of Averta were also ranked, with the following comments:
“Alan Jones advises executive-level employees on a full suite of matters including discrimination, wrongful termination and breach of contract claims. He is particularly skilled at negotiating termination packages.
A client of Jones’ commented: “He has proved to be a very knowledgeable expert in his field and has given good, straightforward advice and guidance.”
And David Sykes ranking commentary said: “David Sykes has developed a broad practice representing employees across the full spectrum of employment law. He acts for individuals facing redundancy, handles whistle-blowing claims and advises senior executives on contract negotiations.”
Averta shortlisted for Birmingham Law Society Law Firm of the Year
Averta has been nominated for the Birmingham Law Society Law Firm of the Year – Sole Practitioners and Firms up to Five Partners. The Birmingham Law Society Legal Awards will be online on April 15 and features 12 different categories including apprentices, pro bono work and small, local and national practices.
Alan Jones, director at Averta said: “This is a very prestigious award. Having won the same award in 2015, we know how much difference it can make to a firm’s standing in the local legal community. David Sykes, the team at Averta and I would be delighted to win again, but if we are not fortunate enough this year to be chosen, we are all delighted to have been shortlisted alongside some other very accomplished firms.”
With the awards celebrating its 20th year, the event will be hosted on the Birmingham Law Society website on Thursday 15 April 2021.
For more information on the awards go to – https://birminghamlawsociety.co.uk/birmingham-law-society-unveils-shortlist-as-legal-awards-go-virtual/
Averta shortlisted for Birmingham Law Society 2020 Legal Awards
Averta Employment Lawyers has once again been shortlisted
for Law Firm of the Year (sole practitioners and firms up to five partners)
following its success in winning in 2015 and being shortlisted in 2017.
Alan Jones, director at Averta Employment Lawyers said:
“It’s a credit to the team here that we are recognised as one of the leading
firms in the Birmingham area. Our
reputation is incredibly important to us, and I’m delighted to join a short
list of firms hoping to be successful in the award process’’
Shortlisted nominees will be interviewed by a panel of
judges from the legal sectors and the winners announced at the awards ceremony
in March at the International Convention Centre in Birmingham.
Averta advises on all employment law matters, with a focus
on the issues affecting senior executives and strategic advice to SME’s and
other businesses. Averta has also been named as one of The Times Best Law Firms
in 2019 and 2020.
The Legal Awards event has become a permanent fixture in the Midlands business calendar showcasing the achievements of the region’s legal community over the past year.
See the shortlist here - https://birminghamlawsociety.co.uk/the-2020-legal-awards-shortlist/
New team unveiled at Averta
Rachel Broughton moves on as Employment Judge
Averta Employment Lawyers is expanding its team and sadly, saying goodbye to director Rachel Broughton.
Rachel has been with the firm since 2007 and is leaving to take up an appointment as a full time Employment Judge.
Alan Jones, director at Averta said: “I have worked with Rachel for nearly 20 years, first at DLA Piper, and at Averta since 2007. She is an outstanding lawyer and will be much missed by me, her colleagues and clients. However, we are all very proud of her appointment to the position of Employment Judge, which reflects not only on her outstanding capability, but the perception of Averta in the legal community’’.
Andrew Lester adds depth, Andrew Spooner returns
Andrew Lester has joins Averta as an associate. Andrew comes via ORJ in Stafford, having previously been a partner at Bowling & Co Solicitors in London where he headed up the employment law team, advising SMEs, partnerships and Individuals as well as representing clients at the Employment Tribunal.
Return of Andrew Spooner
Andrew Spooner returns to the firm as a litigation consultant, alongside his work as a part time District Judge. He was formerly chairman of Solicitors Disciplinary Tribunal and practises as a Mediator. He has been a consultant at Averta in its early days before moving to Wright Hassall for several years.
Izzy Canning to qualify in early 2020
Izzy Canning, who joined as a trainee paralegal in 2016, becoming a trainee solicitor in July 2018, will qualify as a solicitor in early 2020 and will continue to give excellent support to Averta’s clients thereafter.
Paralegal Melanie Denis
Melanie Denis has joined the firm as a paralegal. Melanie has a Law Degree from Aston University and is current studying for a Master of Law (LLM) at Birmingham City University and will graduate in 2020. She is bilingual, being fluent in French.
David Sykes, director and one of the founders of Averta Employment Lawyers says:
“Whilst we are very sad to see Rachel move on, we are delighted to have Andrew Lester and Melanie onboard, as well as Andrew Spooner back. Our reputation as the best niche firm for employment means we are able to attract the best talent around.”
Averta makes it into The Times Best Law Firms 2019
Averta Employment Lawyers has been named as one of The Times Best Law Firms 2019. The 200 firms on The Times Best Law firms are regarded as leaders in their areas of practice.
Research was conducted by Statistic for The Times, to find out from the UK’s lawyers which of the 10,000 plus law firms in England and Wales they would recommend. Five hundred law firms were then recommended and the firms with the most votes made it to the top 200
According to The Times:
“Established in 2004 by a pair of former DLA Piper partners to provide practical and robust advice to directors, senior executives and professionals, as its name suggests, Averta Employment Lawyers has become recognised as a leader in the field of employment law. Since opening its doors 15 years ago, the firm has acted for more than 7,500 individuals and on many occasions has advised large groups of employees in reaching settlement agreements.”
The partners, David Sykes, Alan Jones, Rachel Broughton and Anne Mannix, have long been recognised as leaders in employment law. Many of Averta’s clients are referred to them by major commercial legal firms, who do not specialise in representing individuals.
According to Averta director, David Sykes: “Since day one our success has been built on the premise that other lawyers can confidently recommend clients to us. Being included in The Times Best 200 Law Firms demonstrates that the Averta team is maintaining the high standards in terms of service and delivery, we have aspired to from day one.”
The full list of 200 can be found at thetimes.co.uk/bestlawfirms
Legal 500 Recommends all Averta’s Birmingham Partners
We are delighted to have all our Birmingham partners recommended in the 2018 Legal 500 West Midlands Employment category, which went live today. Averta was also ranked in Tier two, which is a commendable performance for a niche firm.
According to Legal 500:
“Averta Employment Lawyers LLP is a niche practice that represents senior employees on high value claims, and is 'commercial', 'pragmatic' and 'able to work to tight deadlines'.”
Commenting on the partners, it described Alan Jones as “'hugely experienced' and 'not afraid to give straight advice'. Fellow founder David Sykes has extensive experience handling restrictive covenant and corporate related employment issues. Also recommended is Rachel Broughton, who specialises in discrimination and diversity claims.”
Strong performer in the legal market
Sykes commented: “It’s comforting for our clients, and our fellow professionals who refer clients to us, to know that each partner is acknowledged by Legal 500 as a strong performer in the legal market’
For 29 years, The Legal 500 has been analysing the legal sector across the world, with a comprehensive research programme which is revised and updated every annually.
Rachel's on the winning team
Rachel Broughton alongside her Bargain Hunt team’s antique expert, John Cameron.Some non-employment news here – Averta Employment Lawyer’s director Rachel Broughton was on the winning red team on BBC One’s Bargain Hunt with her mother who is a keen antique collector.
In Bargain Hunt, two teams, red and blue, have £300 and one hour to buy antiques which they then sell at auction. The team that makes the most money from their purchases is the winner. Each team is accompanied by an expert who helps guide them round what might be the best buys. Contestants don’t have to be antique experts, but the BBC are interested in people who do love antiques and collectables. Enthusiasm is as important to being selected as knowledge, but a combination of both is perfect for the programme.
Rachel had great fun filming with their team’s expert John Cameron, Anita Manning and the rest of the wonderful BBC crew, making the most profit on the day.
Bargain Hunt is on BBC One at lunchtimes during the week; it airs at 12.15 and as we appreciate that it is not a good time for most of us at to watch the programme. So if you want to catch up the 'Rachel' episide of Bargain Hunt can be seen here - http://https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0b64cbq
Travelling light - How organisations can benefit from executive restraint and transparency
Alan Jones, director at Averta Employment Lawyers, discusses how organisations can benefit from restraint and transparency, when it comes to senior executive pay and benefits:
Executive pay and benefits continue to come under the spotlight, with business leaders, politicians, customers and even students calling for greater restraint and transparency on pay, benefits and bonuses.
Earlier this year the Institute of Directors (IoD), who represent business executives in the UK called for “greater transparency and accountability over executive pay” and ongoing outrage over University Vice Chancellors’ large salaries was amplified by reports that they were claiming on expenses items such as Easter eggs, scented candles, fresh flowers and even a “pornstar Martini”.
Whilst there is obvious public distaste for senior managers who abuse their expense accounts or receive large bonuses for poor performance, there can also be commercial damage. The negative impact to the reputation of Bath University, after it was revealed that the Vice Chancellor of Bath University was paid nearly £470,000, resulted in 6% fewer students applying for places at Bath the following year.
In the midst of this, you have to admire Eddie Jones for his “common touch”. There he is in a position of national prominence, CEO of a multi-million-pound high profile (sporting) business, and he travels by standard class train from Edinburgh to Manchester the day after England have been thrashed by a resurgent Scottish rugby team. Not many senior executives would travel, alone, in the same carriage as many of his “customers” or “stakeholders” (some of whom were apparently hostile scots). Most would choose to either travel in the refined and relative security of first class or, more likely, a chauffeur driven car from Murrayfield to home.
He may not be everybody’s favourite rugby character, but he sets an outstanding example for other leaders of industry. Sadly, as has been well publicised, the journey did not go well, as it appears that he was pilloried if not physically abused by a small number of so called “fans” and has pledged never to travel in that way again.
Nevertheless, other industry leaders could learn a lesson. Unless they have a similarly high profile to Eddie (and are therefore subject to public awareness), they could easily set a shining example to their colleagues by travelling in the same way that most people do.