Sonya O’Reilly

Sonya is a Partner in Birketts’ employment team and leads the firm’s independent schools team.

She has significant experience helping organisations manage complex employee relations issues, working in partnership with clients to provide clear, practical and strategic advice. Sonya particularly specialises in acting for clients across the education, charity and public sectors on the full range of employment matters, including large-scale projects involving collective information and consultation, TUPE transfers, complex grievances and employment tribunal claims.

Sonya also advises private sector employers on HR and people strategy, senior executive appointments and exits, and sensitive workplace issues. Her approach is commercial, pragmatic and focused on helping clients achieve workable outcomes.

In addition to her employment law practice, Sonya is a CEDR-accredited mediator and supports parties in resolving workplace disputes in a proactive and solutions-focused way. She regularly delivers bespoke management training and speaks at conferences and events on employment law and workplace issues.

Recent work highlights

• Advising an independent school on a significant project to change employee terms and conditions (exiting the Teachers’ Pension Scheme). The project was completed within the planned timescale and without any unfair dismissal or other employment claims arising.
• Advising an education sector client on a sensitive safeguarding matter involving the LADO and other third-party agencies.
• Advising local authorities on HR workstreams related to Local Government Reform and Devolution
• Successfully negotiating the exit of a senior individual for a corporate client; settling complex disability discrimination and whistleblowing claims brought in the Employment Tribunal following a mediation process.

Experience and education

2020 Partner, Birketts LLP

2005 Joined Birketts LLP

2002 Qualified as a Solicitor, Eversheds Sutherland

2000 – 2002 Trainee Solicitor, Eversheds Sutherland

1997 BA (Hons) History (University of Leeds)