Abigail Trencher

Abigail Trencher is a Partner at Birketts LLP, a member of the firm’s employment team and head of its education sector team.

She has specialised exclusively in employment law since 1998 and has developed a reputation for providing clear, commercially focused advice to senior HR professionals and organisational leaders. She is known for her accessible, straightforward style and for building strong working relationships with clients, providing advice that is both legally robust and aligned with their strategic objectives.

Abigail advises on the full spectrum of employment law issues, with extensive experience of complex and high value disputes. She has acted in matters ranging from High Court litigation, including restrictive covenant cases, to Employment Tribunal claims involving discrimination, whistleblowing and automatic unfair dismissal. Alongside contentious work, she regularly supports clients through large scale change management programmes, including restructures and redundancy exercises, as well as advising on trade union relations and disputes.

She has worked with clients in the education sector for more than 20 years and has particular expertise in advising schools, colleges and other higher education institutions on sensitive and high profile issues. This includes safeguarding and governance matters, where her pragmatic and measured approach is valued in situations involving legal, regulatory and reputational risk. Abigail also leads Birketts’ professional discipline practice, advising professional regulators and conduct panels on disciplinary proceedings. Her deep understanding of regulatory frameworks, enabling her to guide clients through complex processes with confidence and clarity. 

Abigail is a member of Birketts’ Responsible Business Committee.

Experience & education

2014 Partner, Birketts LLP

2008 Joined Birketts LLP

1998 – 2008 Senior Associate, Eversheds Sutherlands International LLP

1998 Qualified as a solicitor