Michael advises on all aspects of employment law primarily for employers and senior executives involved in contentious 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.
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.
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.
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 and Off Payroll Regulations.
Michael is based in our Watford office, but can support you nationally.
Year of qualification - 1984
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.
What others say
Michael has received recognition in the Chambers and Legal 500 directories for over 18 years.
"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 2020
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."
What You Might Like to Know
Michael was a former Chair of the Lawnet Employment Group, he sat as a Governor 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.
Other teams Michael works with
Healthcare
With Primary Care Networks (PCNs) being high on the agenda for many GP practices, Michael can help you with wider employment support, from advising on employment structures ,drafting new employment contracts to providing further employment implications in joining a PCN. He regularly supports the healthcare dispute resolution team in advising on partnership disputes involving GPs, Dentists, Vets where discrimination claims are made to the employment tribunal.
Life Sciences
Michael advises many of the Firms life sciences employer clients on the broad range of employment challenges faced by them.
Corporate
Michael has provided support with other employment team members on providing corporate support to transactions relating to the selling and acquisition of businesses.
Commercial
Michael assists the commercial team in the negotiating and drafting of commercial contracts where IR35 is prevalent.
Recruitment
Michael and his colleagues advise on regulatory and employment issues affecting recruitment agencies, employment businesses and umbrella companies.
Dispute Resolution
He provides support where the enforcement of restrictive covenants and confidentiality issues arise through employees leaving their employment where protection is required.
