Experience
Samantha is an employment law specialist who, having qualified as a solicitor in 2012, brings around ten years’ post-qualification experience. She joined Birketts in January 2020 as an Associate in our Employment Team based in our Ipswich office. Samantha trained locally and has spent her post-qualification time working in Suffolk and Essex.
Employment Tribunal Claims – Acting for Employers
Samantha has experience with a wide range of contentious employment issues including tribunal litigation, workplace disputes and issues that can arise from or prior to the termination of employment. Samantha has much experience acting from employers from small companies to large corporations in handling claims involving a full spectrum of claims including, but not limited to unfair dismissal and discrimination on all grounds.
Employment Tribunal Claims – Acting for Employees
Samantha frequently assists individuals to bring their claims through the Employment Tribunal process. Samantha provides guidance and support from the offset and throughout proceedings and has helped bring a wide array of claims on matters including, but certainly not limited to, (constructive) unfair dismissal, direct and indirect discrimination, harassment, Whistleblowing, failure to make reasonable adjustments and unlawful deductions from wages.
Legal Expenses Insurance
Samantha is adept at assisting Respondents and Claimants where their funding is primarily provided through their insurance policies. Samantha has substantial experience in handling insurance-backed claims and is proficient in navigating claims through these channels.
Employment Law and HR for the Public Sector
Samantha provides specialist employment advice to clients operating within the public sector. Samantha partners with Local / Public Authorities and clients in the Education sector to provide tailored advice to meet the specific needs and demands in these areas.
Employment Law and HR for the Transport and Logistics Sector
Samantha frequently provides pragmatic advice to clients operating within the Transport and Logistics sector on a variety of matters including; employee disciplinaries and grievances, TUPE transfers, subcontracting, self-employed drivers (IR35), policy and handbook audits, staff misconduct and infringement of working time regulations.
Helpline for Strategic HR and People Advice
Samantha also has experience with non-contentious employment work including reviewing and preparing contracts and policies, preparing and advising on settlement agreements and general HR support and advice.
Samantha has a particular passion for supporting individuals at various levels of seniority with sensitive and complex employment needs.
Samantha is the first port of call for many enquiries from new and existing clients and is proficient in providing timely answers to discrete HR queries and providing expert legal solutions.
Volume Settlement Agreement Projects
Samantha advises and assists organisations in conducting volume / bulk settlement agreements in the most efficient and cost effective manner. Some of this work has been derived out of Covid-19 and the need to restructure, furlough staff or make collective redundancies.