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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.
Award arrives! Averta's second Birmingham Law Society Firm of the Year win
Averta Employment Lawyers has won the Birmingham Law Society Law Firm of the Year – Sole Practitioners and Firms up to Five Partners.
Alan Jones, director at Averta said:
“Delighted to win the Law Firm of the Year Award for the second time. It’s a great credit to our fantastic team of solicitors, consultants, paralegals and support staff.”
“David Sykes and I are particularly proud of this achievement as it shows that we are still offering clients excellent service recognised by our peers.”
“I’d like to congratulate all the other winners and finalists and well done to the Birmingham Law Society for managing the online event so brilliantly.”
The Birmingham Law Society Legal Awards was held online April 15 and featured 12 different categories including apprentices, pro bono work and small, local and national practices.
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/
Chambers 2021 list Averta in Band One for Employment - Employees in the Midlands
Averta Employment Lawyers is listed in Band One in Chambers and Partners 2021 UK Rankings in Employment: Employee for the Midlands.
The firm gained some excellent comments from referees, such as:
“As a firm they stand out as providing an excellent service for senior individuals on the employee side.”
“They are one of the go-tos for senior executive work. They have high-quality lawyers and they are very good.”
“They do a stellar job – they are a pre-eminent firm.”
Notable Practitioners
Both of Averta’s founding partners are listed as notable practitioners.
On David Sykes, Chambers comments:
He has good experience in litigation and will fight with conviction for his client. He is calm and reflective.
Alan Jones is described as:
An excellent negotiator and he is willing to take a stand on issues while also being pragmatic. He is very commercial and pragmatic. He gets deals done quickly and negotiates hard for his clients.
Jones comments:
“It’s a credit to the whole team that our work is regarded so positively in the legal community in the Midlands.”
Chambers and Partners has been the leading source of legal market intelligence for over 30 years now. They have 85 experienced researchers ranking law firms and solicitors in the UK, providing localised knowledge and market insight.
Full entry in Chambers here – https://chambers.com/department/averta-employment-lawyers-employment-employee-uk-1:1887:11815:1:103906
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Covid 19-Update
The outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the most significant global public health crises in the last 100 years and is causing major disruptions at every level.
Averta is trying, along with many other businesses, to continue to provide a service to clients, whilst following public health advice.
Our primary concern at this time is the safety of our staff and clients. In common with many law firms we often work remotely so are able respond to current challenges by extending our current working practices.
We are however following advice from Government and NHS and our employees are working from home where possible but still available to discuss any issues you have.
Following advice, we would ask that clients not come into to our offices. We can however continue to take instructions from clients remotely, either by telephone or online.
We will where possible use the online platform of your choice – for example Skype, WhatsApp or Zoom.
We are all adjusting to working in a new way, so please get in touch by initially calling us on 0300 303 3570.
Averta in Times Top 200 for Third Year
Often described as the ‘Best niche firm for senior executives’, and now one of The Times Best Law Firms in 2019, 2020 and 2021
Once again, Averta Employment Lawyers has made it into The Times Best Law Firms. The list is compiled by international research firm, Statista.
Statista ask solicitors throughout England and Wales to recommend the 200 best law firms in 26 categories covering business, public and private-client fields. The final 200 firms in the list got the most votes from 3,271 respondents to make it into The Times Best Law Firms 2020. Solihull based Averta made the first list in 2019 and has again been voted into the 2020 list. Alan Jones, director at Averta Employment Lawyers said: “This is testament to the quality of the whole team at Averta and reflects the experience of the major commercial law firms who deal with us. As well as providing first class legal advice, this shows how much confidence our referrers have in us which means we have a consistent stream of quality clients.” This follows excellent ranking in Legal 500 and Chambers this year as in previous years.
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