Manchester, United Kingdom
Michelle is an Employment Partner and Head of Employment at Berg. She provides solutions to individuals and businesses/organisations in all areas of employment law - from drafting employment contracts, advising on disciplinary and grievance issues, to advising clients on collective redundancies. Michelle has particular specialism in representing senior executives, directors and shareholders in exiting their employment / enforcing their rights in an employment tribunal.
Michelle has represented clients at the Employment Tribunal, Employment Appeal Tribunal, Court of Appeal and High Court. Please see Michelle's profile for experience and particular cases of interest.
Michelle believes in prevention rather than cure and ensures policies and procedures are fit for purpose and that clients are trained on there application in the workplace.
Michelle also works in industry as a Board Trustee for a charity, school governor for a multi-academy trust, and also sits on the Manchester Law Society Employment Law committee.
Michelle is recommended in the Legal 500 and is described as ‘reliable and knowledgeable’.
Associate Partner
Michelle is a recommended lawyer in the Legal 500.
Michelle acts for both employers and employees in employment law / HR matters. Michelle acts for all individuals, particularly senior employees and directors.
Michelle acts for both private and public sector employers, with a particular specialism in owner-managed businesses and SMEs. Michelle ensures business risk is minimised. For example, she delivers training for employers, provides complimentary MOT reviews on contracts and policies and provides complimentary updates to organisations on changes in HR that may impact on their business. For example, matters relating to data protection obligations.
Michelle operates in a wide variety sectors, including manufacturing, leisure and hospitality, professional services and education.
Michelle undertakes a wide variety of work for clients including:
Recruitment: advice on fair recruitment practices, drafting contracts, service agreements and preparing / updating employee handbooks, reviewing / updating contracts and bonus arrangements, preparing bespoke restrictive covenants or reveiwing their enforceability.
Matters arising during employment: changes in terms of employment, contract variations, benefits, bonus terms, restructuring / redundancy procedures, sickeness absence, performance and capaibility issues, and family leave.
Disputes during employment: advice and representation at grievances / disciplinary matters, representation at mediations, contract disputes.
Employment status: self-employed, workers, employees, director / fiduciary duties.
Disputes when the relationship ends: negotiating severance packages, drafting or advising on settlement agreements, representation at employment tribunal / high court in bringing / defending claims.
Notable (reported) cases
Bolton St Catherines Academy v O’Brien (Employment Appeal Tribunal) – Tribunal claim for unfair discrimination and disability discrimination.
Perry v Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust (Employment Appeal Tribunal) – Tribunal claim for unfair dismissal and discrimination.
South Manchester Abbeyfield Society Ltd v Hopkins (Employment Appeal Tribunal)- national minimum wage and sleepovers
University
2001 - 2002
Bar Vocational Course
University
1996 - 1999
BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies
2009 - 2009
QLTT- Solicitor's transfer exam
2000 - 2001
Law Conversion Course
“Michelle acted for me as when I was faced with termination of employment under a Settlement agreement. She quickly got to the core of the matter, provided reassurance about the strength of my position, and was vigorous in seeking a satisfactory conclusion. Thanks to her, my final settlement was worth almost double the original offer from my former employer”
"Michelle was a great help during a contractual issue with my employer. She advised that I had been wrongfully dismissed and that my employer had failed to follow any proper procedure. She explained the issues with great clarity and professionalism, managed the whole process of negotiation with my employer's lawyers and concluded my claim with a satisfactory settlement. I would definitely recommend Michelle and would have no hesitation in using her services again in the future."
“I have known Michelle Gray for over 8 years. Within this time she has supported my business with various difficult employment issues. What I love about working with Michelle is that she removes any concerns or stress that you may be feeling about a situation and turns the worry into practical solutions. I have always found Michelle to be exceptionally professional and supportive but easy to approach no matter how sensitive the issue and it goes without saying a pleasure to work with .”
Michelle acted for the Finance Director of an American owned UK subsidiary in his exit from the company. Michelle acted on the client’s behalf up to and including a negotiated settlement – the final sum was double the initial offer made by the company.
I acted for an international company in relation to two former executives who conspired against it by forming a joint enterprise to compete both during and after leaving the business. The company threatened injunctive relief against the two former employees, and a third defendant (a shareholder of the newly formed joint enterprise).
The case involved a team of lawyers lead by Michelle.
Acting for a senior account manager in recovering signficant sums in unpaid commission payments due by the employer. The case involved issues of jurisdiction between the employment tribunal and high court because of the sums involved.
Case outcome: successfully recovered payments due to the employee before contested hearing.
Scholarship from Middle Temple
2000
Middle Temple
2000
An apolitical organisation representing the views of employment lawyers.
An organsiation for professionals in Manchester
Inns of Court
An education and social community for lawyers in Manchester