Stephen is a Partner in our employment team.
A highly skilled litigator and negotiator, Stephen has spent over 30 years advising employers and senior executives on complex employment law issues, including senior executive terminations, restrictive covenants and contentious employment contract disputes.
Stephen often advises clients on business reorganisations, disposals, acquisitions and redundancies, as well as the impact of TUPE and collective consultation. He also handles complex and high value employment tribunal claims including for unfair and wrongful dismissal, discrimination, whistleblowing and trade union disputes.
While he acts for a range of large and multinational corporates, many of Stephen’s clients operate in the charity, professional services and manufacturing sectors. His clients include JD Wetherspoon PLC, Prysmian Group, FirstPort, Nugent Care and Autism Initiatives.
He has an undeniable track record in negotiating multi-million-pound settlement agreements for senior executives and directors, including a 2021 dispute that resulted in a £17m payout. He also successfully defended one of the first ever transgender discrimination claims in England as well as a major cross-jurisdictional employment dispute for constructive unfair dismissal and associative disability discrimination.
Decades of specialist practice have provided Stephen with deep employment law experience. His proactive, practical and commercial approach gives clients faith that he will achieve the best possible outcomes from their objectives.
A member of the Employment Lawyers Association, Stephen keeps his knowledge sharp by regularly running lectures, seminars and training workshops for clients, professional bodies and associations at both the local and national levels.
Stephen joined us in 2001. Based in our Liverpool office, he is our resident badminton player and keen dog lover.
