Jessica is an Associate based in the Milton Keynes employment team and advises on both contentious and non-contentious employment law issues.
Completing her training at Shoosmiths, Jessica qualified as a solicitor with the national employment team in 2022. During her training, Jessica spent time on secondment at a large children’s toy retailer, which enabled her to gain valuable understanding of internal working practices.
Currently working with a wide range of clients, Jessica’s experience spans across a variety of sectors including higher education, retail and leisure. Although Jessica primarily acts for employers, she also provides support to individuals on their current employment position and settlement negotiations.
Jessica provides support to the firm’s Corporate team and clients, assisting on employment law aspects of high value corporate sales, acquisitions and investments. As part of the specialist data protection team, Jessica also continues to assist clients in relation to employee data protection matters including handling and responding to large employee data subject access requests. Recent experience includes:
- defending employment tribunal proceedings, including unfair dismissal claims and discrimination claims;
- advising on senior service agreements and employment contracts;
- advising on day-to-day employee relations matters, including disciplinaries, grievances and flexible working requests;
- assisting organisations with managing redundancies;
- reaching settlement of high value claims through mediation to avoid protracted litigation;
- responding to Data Subject Access Requests; and
- advising organisations on managing and negotiating exits including settlement agreement proposals and terms.
Jessica regularly writes articles and comments for the firm and also advises individuals on a pro-bono basis through the Milton Keynes' Citizens Advice Bureau. This charity works in collaboration with the firm to provide access to legal advice for those unable to afford it. In addition, Jessica coaches individuals seeking work on a 1-2-1 basis, assisting with CV reviews and skill-building. She is also heavily involved in the Mental Health and Wellbeing committee within the firm which operates on a both local and national level.