Employment Law

As the Office for National Statistics yesterday confirmed the biggest rise in job losses for 28 years, leading law firm Irwin Mitchell has significantly upweighted its provision of legal services to HR professionals and business leaders across the city and the wider region with the appointment of Ed Cotton as Employment Law Partner.

Ed, who joins the firm from Halliwells, has established a first rate reputation for advising clients in all areas of employment law, both contentious and non-contentious, and for advising a range of SME clients across various sectors, including property, finance, logistics, retail and leisure. Ed is recognised in Legal 500 as an employment law expert in the North West who "knows his clients' business well".

His appointment comes at a time of severe economic downturn for many Manchester-based businesses and reflects an increased need for employment law expertise. Ed commented: "The current situation has impacted severely on the jobs market as shown by today's government figures. It is a difficult time for clients. Companies are increasingly looking for practical advice on business restructuring and redundancies."

Ed's experience includes advising on complex strategic and reorganisational issues, out-sourcing, executive severance, redundancy and employment tribunal litigation.

Ed again: "Tribunal claims are rising sharply and are likely to continue to do so. It is important that employers keep up to speed with changing legislation, for example the ACAS Code of Practice on disciplinary and grievance which came into force on 6th April this year. There are also new regulations around the rights to request flexible working. We are busy briefing our clients on the implications of these changes."

Grahame Codd, Regional Managing Partner for Irwin Mitchell, Manchester, said that the firm was delighted to welcome someone of Ed's calibre to the team. "Ed brings 12 years' experience to the role and an exemplary track record. His appointment reflects our commitment to providing first class employment law expertise to businesses in Manchester and is an important part of our strategy to grow our corporate and commercial presence in the region."