Norwich, United Kingdom
I have been with Ashtons Legal since September 2013, joining initially as a Trainee Solicitor. I qualified into the Employment Team as a Solicitor in September 2015.
I advise both employers and employees on a range of contentious and non-contentious employment issues.
The types of matters I deal with for employers are:
- drafting/negotiation of Settlement Agreements
- drafting contracts of employment and staff handbooks
- advising on dealing with disciplinary and grievance processes
- advising on how to handle redundancies, both individual and collective
- advising on the impact of TUPE in acquisitions or sales
- advising on basic corporate immigration enquiries, including how to apply for a sponsor licence and take on individuals through the Points Based System
The types of matters I deal with for employees are:
- advising on the terms and effect of Settlement Agreements
- advising on potential claims against employers, such as for unfair dismissal, constructive unfair dismissal, discrimination and protected disclosures ("whistleblowing")
- assisting individuals facing disciplinary procedures
- assisting individuals with the preparation of grievances
- assisting individuals on preparing for, issuing proceedings in and representation at Employment Tribunal hearings
I regularly speak at the firm's HR events and at external events on matters involving employment law. I am a member of the Employment Lawyers' Association and sit on the committee of the Norfolk and Norwich Law Society, where I am the Deputy Treasurer. In 2015, I won the Norwich and Norfolk Law Society Trainee Lawyer of the Year Award.
Some of the feedback I have received from clients is as follows:
“I would personally like to thank you so much for all of your efforts. You have been brilliant and I will always recommend you and your firm as a result.” - Ashtons Legal client
“Please tell Jessica thank you very much for being so effective in my matter. It is very rare to see work done so competently and smoothly nowadays and Jessica really stood out from the rest.” - Ashtons Legal client
"Your advice was clear and concise and made a difficult situation far smoother than I thought it was going to be!” - Ashtons Legal client
"Jessica was very professional and thorough. She provided me with valuable advice, suggestions, recommendations, support and also communicated very effectively with the opposing solicitors. She increased my understanding of employment law, built my confidence and was able to conclude my case with a very unexpected and successful outcome." - Ashtons Legal client
“Jessica represented me at my remedy hearing for my Employment Tribunal case. I had already been successful on liability, but I needed support in achieving a fair compensation pay-out. Jessica had excellent knowledge around my case, her communication and dedication was first class throughout, and ultimately the end result was fantastic. Jessica put in so much hard work and I cannot thank her enough for her support and professionalism during this process.” - Ashtons Legal client
"Thank you again so much for your help. This process would not have been anywhere near as smooth or the outcome as positive without your involvement. It has been so appreciated.” - Ashtons Legal client
University
2010 - 2011
LLM
University
2007 - 2010
LLB
2012 - 2013
Jessica represented me at my remedy hearing for my Employment Tribunal case. I had already been successful on liability, but I needed support in achieving a fair compensation pay-out. Jessica had excellent knowledge around my case, her communication and dedication was first class throughout, and ultimately the end result was fantastic. Jessica put in so much hard work and I cannot thank her enough for her support and professionalism during this process.
Jessica was very professional and thorough. She provided me with valuable advice, suggestions, recommendations, support and also communicated very effectively with the opposing solicitors. She increased my understanding of employment law, built my confidence and was able to conclude my case with a very unexpected and successful outcome.