Sophie Jackson

Sophie joined the firm in July 2019 as a Paralegal, prior to commencing her training contract in September 2022 and qualifying as a solicitor within the Employment department in September 2024.

Sophie specialises in assisting and advising clients within the public sector, including housing associations, local authorities and education providers, on a range of both contentious and non-contentious employment issues.

Sophie regularly provides clients with advice regarding day-to-day HR and employment related queries whilst also drafting contracts, internal policies and settlement agreements and delivering training sessions to clients within the public sector on a breadth of topics, including employment law updates and the management of internal procedures such as sickness absence.

Sophie also has recent experience with the defence of claims within the Employment Tribunal, including unfair dismissal and discrimination, on behalf of a number of clients within the public sector.

Relevant experience includes:

·         Providing HR, employment and education law advice to employers, including local authorities, housing associations, independent schools, large multi-academy trusts, single academy trusts, voluntary maintained schools and further education establishments.

·         Drafting, reviewing and advising employers on a range of employment related documentation, including employment contracts, internal policies and disciplinary and dismissal letters.

·         Negotiation of employee exits and the preparation of settlement agreements.

·         Providing assistance to employers through grievance, disciplinary and sickness absence processes.

·         Representing employers throughout Employment Tribunal proceedings against claims such as unfair dismissal, discrimination, whistleblowing, and victimisation.

·         Providing advice on restructures and TUPE transfers.

·         Delivering training sessions to HR providers and clients within the public sector