Wake Smith appoints new director of employment & HR services

3rd November 2020

Wake Smith Solicitors has appointed top lawyer Joan Pettingill as a Director and its new Head of Employment & HR Services.

Wake Smith Solicitors has appointed top lawyer Joan Pettingill as a Director and its new Head of Employment & HR Services.

Joan is a recognised expert with over 20 year’s experience advising employers and employees across Yorkshire and beyond. 

She advises on the full range of employment law and HR matters including hot topics such as furlough,  collective issues such as redundancies, trade union and industrial action and is particularly noted for TUPE and large scale restructuring expertise.

Joan, who has advised clients across multiple industry sectors and has been the lead advisor on a number of high profile matters, is also very experienced in defending all types of claims in employment tribunals.  

She will lead Wake Smith’s already highly regarded employment team including director Holly Dobson and HR Manager Kelly Pashley-Handford.

Joan said: “I am delighted to join Wake Smith as the “Go-to” Sheffield firm with an enviable reputation for providing clients with not only top legal advice but invaluable practical guidance and support”.

Liz Shaw, head of Litigation and management board member at Wake Smith Solicitors, said: “Joan is a really important hire for the employment department at Wake Smith. Her commercial, no-nonsense, friendly and professional approach keeps client’s objectives at the fore, while her steadfast knowledge and experience delivers winning solutions.

“With our new enhanced and combined employment law and HR service we will be able to help clients through tricky situations such as how to manage placing staff on the Government’s new extended furlough scheme, changing contracts of employment and support all kinds of sensitive HR conversations. We welcome Joan to the team.”

Additionally Joan, is an experienced public speaker, trainer and executive coach who also has invaluable experience of working in house in financial services. 

Wake Smith’s employment team provides advice on the full range of employment law issues and HR matters including: Contracts of Employment and Staff Handbooks; Director’s Service Agreements; Business Transfers and TUPE – Expert Employment Advice for acquisitions, disposals, mergers and joint ventures; Defending Employment Tribunal Claims; Unfair Dismissal.

It also advises on Discrimination; Handling Redundancy and Re-Structuring; Restrictive Covenants and Confidentiality; Settlement Agreements; Maternity and other family-friendly rights and Disciplinary and Grievance Procedures.

Employment director Holly Dobson is a highly regarded tactician in the industry guide The Legal 500 with notable expertise assisting clients with employment disputes, GDPR compliance and TUPE advice.

For further information on employment law, HR, litigation and dispute resolution call Wake Smith on 0114 266 6660 or visit www.wake-smith.co.uk