Elaine Huttley

I predominantly work with corporate clients of all varieties, from owner-managed businesses and SMEs to multinational PLCs. Employment issues arise in all businesses, and we are able to tailor our services to meet the needs of all clients.

I have experience of all sectors but in particular, financial services, manufacturing, and retail & hospitality.

I do also act for senior executives and shareholder/directors.

• We advised a large corporate client in the financial services sector, in circumstances where a senior executive took active steps to set up in competition, breaching contractual, fiduciary, and regulatory obligations. This was a complex case not limited to purely employment advice. We worked alongside our Commercial Dispute Regulation and Data Protection teams at Irwin Mitchell to protect the client’s position and to enforce contractual obligations. We advised on the regulatory position, and we successfully defended an Employment Tribunal pursued by the executive, including securing an order for costs.

• We continue to advise an SME in the logistics sector on all day-to-day employment relations and HR matters. The client has a small internal HR function and so we work in partnership with the client to act as an extension of their internal team.

• We advised a senior executive who was exiting as a Board director of a large corporate with a complex group structure. In addition to considerations around the termination of their employment, we also needed to advise on wider matters including their fiduciary duties and resignations from offices and entitlements and compensation for bonuses, LTIPs etc. and the treatment of shares and share options.

First and foremost, I see myself as a trusted advisor to clients, which means I’m on their side helping to achieve their desired commercial outcome within their appetite for risk.

Employment law is the framework which applies, and so it may influence the path that we follow but it shouldn’t dictate the outcome. I never forget this, which means we help clients achieve the best outcome – whatever that may be for them.

An easy and open conversation. My aim is always to understand you and your aims – what’s important to you, what timelines are you working towards, and any concerns or questions that you may have.

We’ll discuss potential options and next steps, but I’ll also give you my views. I won’t sit on the fence.