Prior to joining VWV, Michael headed up the Employment team at Matthew Arnold & Baldwin LLP for 14 years, and is an active member of the firm's healthcare and life science practices. He advises on all aspects of employment law primarily for employers and senior executives involved in contentitious and non contentious issues. He regularly appears before the employment tribunal as advocate, and in the last 12 months his cases have involved unfair dismissal, sex, race and age discrimination, whistleblowing, enforcing restrictive covenants as well as TUPE concerning the outsourcing of commercial contracts involving healthcare.
Michael has a broad general employment practice and acts for a wide range of commercial businesses requiring employment support. He also works closely with the firms healthcare and pharmaceutical clients. His specialist interest is in the field of restrictive covenants and confidentiality arising from the ending of the employment
Michael is also head of the firm's recruitment sector and is experienced in advising agencies, employment businesses, payroll companies and contractors on the range of employment and regulatory issues faced by them including IR35.
With Primary Care Networks (PCNs) being high on the agenda for many GP practices, Michael can help you with wider employment support, from drafting new employment contracts to providing further employment implications in joining a PCN.
Year of qualification - 1984
Michael has received recognition in the Chambers and Legal 500 directories for a number of years.
"Michael is a widely respected practitioner who excels in discrimination and whistle-blowing cases. He has additional expertise in cases concerning misappropriated confidential information and breaches of restrictive covenants." Chambers 2022
Describing Michael in the 2019 edition of Chambers, it states: "his counsel is always well thought through, commercially sound, practical and prudent. His wisdom in the area of employment law and its application is excellent."
Legal 500 2019 describes him as "always been able to provide sound, robust, commercial prudent, advice. That is why we always return to VWV for counsel on employment law matters."
"Michael Delaney gave good solid advice and responded speedily to any queries. I would recommend him with absolute confidence." David Bannon, On Set Lighting Limited
"Michael Delaney is a tenacious and experienced litigator who’s knowledge and experience was a massive influence on the outcome." Adrian Kitching, Director, Megaman UK
"Many thanks for your sound advice during the case. I was very happy with the outcome. This would not have been possible without your guidance." Former Head of global sales for a pharmaceutical company
"He has done excellent work in guiding us through the minefield of employment law. He's got a lot of experience in those issues, and he's a very good lawyer." Chambers & Partners 2021
"His counsel is always well thought through, commercially sound, practical and prudent. His wisdom in the area of employment law and its application is excellent." Chambers & Partners
Michael was a former Chair of the Lawnet Employment Group, he sat as a Govenor of Harrow College of Further Education, a past Director of the Watford Chamber of Commerce, and member of the Law Committee at the University of Hertfordshire. He is currently a member of the ELA, and Chairs the Firms HR PING (Pharmacuetical Industry Networking Group) at Watford.
Michael is a keen cyclist, and likes watching Manchester United and Watford FC, as well as travelling. In his spare time, he assists a local adult disability charity, as well as spending time with his family.