Interview
Merran Sewell, employment Partner and former Gateley trainee, shares some insight into her role.
I was offered a training contract with the business in the summer of 2002 and, after completing my Legal Practice Course at the Birmingham College of Law, I started my training contract in 2004. I completed seats in Residential Development, Commercial Dispute Resolution, Employment and Corporate. I had always thought that I would want to qualify into the Employment team and I was delighted that a role was available, within the Birmingham office, upon qualification. I was promoted to associate, senior associate and subsequently to partner in 2017.
Since that time I have enjoyed a highly rewarding career with the business, gaining technical experience in my chosen area of law while also being fully supported in my desire to participate fully in the local community through committee positions and most recently trustee of a local charity.
My day-to-day role within the business involves advising a predominantly employer client base on the full spectrum of employment law issues that they may encounter – from how best to manage the long-term sickness absence of a single employee to advising on complex projects such as those involving the restructuring of certain teams or an entire business or which might attract the TUPE Regulations. I am also regularly involved in Employment Tribunal litigation, supporting clients with a wide range of claims from unfair dismissal and discrimination complaints, to multi-party litigation involving matters such as the TUPE Regulations or National Minimum Wage compliance. I also regularly advise clients in respect of the drafting and enforcement of restrictive covenants in order to reduce the competitive threat posed by staff when they leave. I’m delighted to still be working with clients that I initially started advising as a fresh-faced newly qualified many years ago and to have built such long-lasting client relationships. This gives me immense satisfaction.
My team also supports our corporate colleagues on a range of corporate transactions including sales, acquisitions and business transfers. This provides a great opportunity for team working and building relationships with colleagues across the group.
During my time with Gateley I have seen considerable growth, including the opening of a number of new offices and of course becoming the first UK law firm to float on the London Stock Exchange. For me, it’s been the best of both worlds to be a longstanding member of a business with a culture and set of values that echo my own, while witnessing, and contributing to, continued expansion and success which brings dynamism and freshness to the business. At Gateley, people have space to be themselves and contribute to our success in their own way based on their individual strengths and interests.