Images
Averta Employment Lawyers Recognised Again in Chambers UK 2026
Averta Employment Lawyers has once again been recognised as a leading firm in the Chambers UK 2026 directory, maintaining its long-standing reputation as a top employment law practice for its work advising senior executives, directors and professionals, as well as providing strategic advice to SMEs and owner-managed businesses.
The directory describes Averta as “a really strong boutique practice with some of the most experienced and respected practitioners.”
Chambers highlights the firm’s particular expertise in settlement agreements, restrictive covenant disputes, harassment and discrimination claims, and its skill in negotiating exit strategies for senior executives. The team is also noted for its experience with pensions issues, whistle-blowing claims, and redundancies.
Client feedback in the 2026 guide includes:
“They distinguish themselves by having a core offering, enabling them to be masterful at what they do. I would always recommend Averta because they have integrity and they care about every case.”
“The team at Averta made me feel comfortable and at ease at one of the most stressful times in my career and this distinguished them above all others in this industry.”
“Averta gave sensible and level-headed advice that helped me make the right decision in negotiations. They were always available.”
Founding partners Alan Jones and David Sykes were both individually ranked once again. Chambers notes:
“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.”
“David Sykes has 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.”
Consultant Martin Chitty was also recognised as a Senior Statesperson:
“Commended for his work providing HR and in-house legal teams with employment support on corporate transactions. He also offers advice on day-to-day employment issues, as well as litigation.”
Commenting on the recognition, Alan Jones, co-founder of Averta Employment Lawyers, said:
“We are delighted to once again be recognised by Chambers for the quality of our work and the trust our clients place in us. This ranking reflects the team’s continued focus on supporting individuals through some of the most challenging moments in their professional lives.”
David Sykes, co-founder, added:
“Chambers remains one of the most respected guides in our profession, and it is always rewarding to see client feedback reflected in the rankings. We’re proud that Averta continues to stand out as a firm that combines experience with a personal, pragmatic approach.”
Partner Andrew Lester commented:
“Averta’s strength lies in the depth of its experience and the genuine care we show to our clients. The recognition from Chambers reinforces the importance of the work we do in helping individuals navigate complex employment issues with confidence and clarity.”
Ends
About Averta Employment Lawyers
Averta Employment Lawyers LLP is an employment law firm based in Solihull, specialising in advising senior executives, directors, and professionals. Established in 2005, the firm has built a national reputation for providing practical, strategic advice on employment law issues including settlement agreements, contractual matters, and discrimination claims.
For further information, please visit www.averta.com
or follow Averta on LinkedIn
Averta Employment Lawyers ranked in Legal 500 2026
Boutique employment firm once again recognised in Tier 2 in the West Midlands for employment law expertise
Solihull, 2 October 2025 – Averta Employment Lawyers LLP has again been recognised as a leading employment law practice in the 2026 edition of the Legal 500 rankings, securing a Tier 2 position for its work advising senior executives, directors and professionals, as well as providing strategic advice to SMEs and owner-managed businesses.
The Legal 500 guide highlights Averta’s expertise in handling complex employment issues, including exit negotiations, settlement agreements and discrimination claims. The firm is also noted for its advice on contracts and service agreements for senior appointments.
Legal 500 focuses on the firm’s “highly experienced” partners Alan Jones and David Sykes, recognising their extensive experience in advising clients on sensitive matters such as sexual harassment, whistleblowing and discrimination claims. Sykes is also commended for his work in managing large-scale redundancy consultations, including virtual meetings. Associate solicitor Izzy Canbury is highlighted as a key member of the team, providing vital support to clients.
Alan Jones, partner at Averta, said:
“We are delighted that Legal 500 commends us for our work for senior executives, which can often be highly complex and very personal. Our priority has always been to give clear, practical advice at times when it is most needed.”
David Sykes, partner at Averta, added:
“The strength of our team lies in the breadth of experience we bring to every situation. Whether advising on discrimination claims, contractual terms or large redundancy processes, we are committed to helping clients navigate what are often career-defining moments.”
Andrew Lester, now a partner, has been further developing the firm's expertise in redundancy exercises, while Yassar Sadiq has joined as an associate solicitor to provide additional support. Earlier this year, Martin Chitty also joined the firm, adding to the number of highly experienced consultant solicitors advising both individuals and employers.
Read the full Legal 500 ranking here.
Ends
About Averta Employment Lawyers
Averta Employment Lawyers LLP is a niche employment law firm based in Solihull, specialising in advising senior executives, directors and professionals. Established in 2004, the firm has built a national reputation for providing practical, strategic advice on employment law issues including settlement agreements, contractual matters and discrimination claims.
Izzy Canbury promoted to Senior Associate Solicitor at Averta Employment Lawyers
Solihull, July 2025 – Averta Employment Lawyers has promoted Izzy Canbury to Senior Associate Solicitor.
Canbury joined the firm in 2016 and qualified in 2020, becoming an associate in 2022.
David Sykes, director and co‑founder of Averta Employment Lawyers, commented:
“Izzy has consistently demonstrated dedication, technical proficiency and a genuine commitment to supporting our clients. Her promotion reflects her impressive professional growth and the high regard in which she is held within our team. She’s a huge asset to Averta and our clients.”
Canbury added:
“Averta has helped me develop the expertise and I have been able to use my interpersonal skills to guide individuals through complex workplace transitions, which can be complicated and stressful. As a Senior Associate, I look forward to further supporting our clients and now using my experience to help growing our team.”
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.