BDBF has once again been recognised as a top tier firm for Employment: Senior Executives by The Legal 500 UK 2027.
We have also retained our ranking in the Partnership category, reflecting our specialist expertise advising LLP partners and partnerships, including law firms, on the full spectrum of partnership matters.
BDBF continues to hold its ranking in the Employers category, where we act for employers across complex and high stakes employment litigation and advisory work.
Our team continues to deliver outstanding expertise and outcomes for senior executives. According to Legal 500, BDBF is “fantastic in terms of sensible, commercial advice for senior executives.”
Recognised employment lawyers in the BDBF team and their rankings include:
Employment: Senior Executives – Tier 1
The team:
Regularly sought out by clients in regulated professions such as the financial services sector, Brahams Dutt Badrick French LLP excels in advising on cases involving discrimination, whistleblowing, and sexual harassment. The team is led by Gareth Brahams, who draws on over thirty years of employment law experience to handle a range of high-profile negotiations and disputes. For matters involving high-value severance packages, Claire Dawson is a key contact, while Paula Chan is well-known for her work involving breach of contract. Nick Wilcox further strengthens the group, with expertise in matters including regulation. Clare Brereton is experienced in handling personal injury claims arising from stress at work. Samantha Prosser works alongside, bringing a specialism in sex-based discrimination claims. Rounding out the team is Emma Burroughs, a notable name for grievances and disciplinary proceedings.
Individual rankings:
- Gareth Brahams – Hall of Fame
- Claire Dawson – Leading Partner
- Paula Chan – Leading Partner
- Nick Wilcox – Leading Partner
- Clare Brereton – Next Generation Partner
- Samantha Prosser – Next Generation Partner
Testimonials:
The team had great compassion for something that was deeply personal to me. It would have been quite easy to feel like just another transaction, but this was far from my experience. I felt genuinely supported while knowing I had the best legal advice available, which was complete, pragmatic, realistic, and commercial. A winning combination that is surprisingly hard to find, which delivered the right outcome.
Claire Dawson was very mindful of safeguarding my health and wellbeing, something I not only value hugely but have genuinely needed. Claire held the line to ensure the right boundaries were maintained and counseled me to stay calm and considered when things felt particularly personal. Her strategic and legal advice has been invaluable. I felt in very safe hands throughout and trusted the process because of her leadership.
BDBF is highly experienced in representing senior executives across a wide range of industries and is involved in some extremely tricky and high-profile matters.
Blair Wassman is a superstar who is on top of every detail while also being commercial and sensitive to client needs. Nick Wilcox is pragmatic, commercial, and no-nonsense while being sensitive to clients’ objectives. Paula Chan is a strong lawyer with a “can-do” attitude towards every challenge. Gareth Brahams is tireless in pursuit of his client’s interests.
Fantastic in terms of sensible, commercial advice for senior executives.
Gareth Brahams is one of the most feared claimant-side lawyers in the business. There is nothing he hasn’t seen before; he is impossible to outmaneuver and gets deals that one would scarcely think possible. He is one of the absolute stars of the employment law world. Paula Chan is a brilliant and dedicated solicitor. Displaying great tactical acumen from the moment that she is instructed, she is a pleasure to deal with, an intimidating opponent, and an employment law powerhouse. A word also for Samantha Prosser, whose attention to detail is phenomenal and always ensures that counsel is properly instructed, not merely on the details of the case but also on the tactical considerations that underpin the client’s endgame.
Partnership – Tier 4
The team:
Brahams Dutt Badrick French LLP‘s lawyers exhibit proficiency across contentious and non-contentious partnership matters, ranging from discrimination litigation and remuneration disputes to exits and partner moves. The group is also adept at handling domestic and cross-border matters spanning the legal, financial, and accountancy spaces. Gareth Brahams heads up the practice and is turned to by finance professionals, law firm partners, and LLPs facing partnership disputes and whistleblower claims. Also specialising in contentious mandates is Claire Dawson, who has considerable experience acting before the Employment Tribunal, while Paula Chan is a key point of contact for exits.
Testimonials:
Paula Chan is a strong lawyer with a “can-do” attitude towards every challenge.
Strong profile, particularly at the intersection of partnership law and discrimination law.
Gareth Brahams handles complex issues with remarkable technical mastery and the weight of deep experience.
Very good and focused team with strong employment and partnership abilities. Well-run firm with a commercial and can-do attitude.
Gareth Brahams is the team leader and is very experienced, expert, and confident. Claire Dawson is always good with clients and has excellent legal understanding. Nick Wilcox has a very good understanding and knowledge of LLP. Paula Chan is fantastic with clients, inspiring real confidence.
Gareth Brahams: hugely experienced and commercial. Claire Dawson: a very astute litigator. Paul Chan: commercial and tenacious.
Employers – Tier 6
The team:
The group at Brahams Dutt Badrick French LLP frequently represents employers in the financial services and insurance industries in litigation, investigations, senior exits and restructuring cases. Practice head Gareth Brahams is known for his work in disputes, especially those involving discrimination claims. Nick Wilcox leads the employer side of the team, with a notable strength in regulatory matters. Blair Wassman and Tom McLaughlin are other names to note in the department.
Testimonials:
Blair Wassman is a fantastic team member who is organised and on top of every detail, while also being sensitive to client needs. Paula Chan is a strong lawyer with a can-do attitude. Nick Wilcox is pragmatic, commercial and tireless in furthering his clients’ objectives. Tom McLaughlin is an extremely good lawyer, with a particular facility for tricky legal arguments and principles.
This team has been involved in a large number of high-profile and groundbreaking cases in recent years and is very much on top of its game.
Nick Wilcox is an exceptionally wise, tenacious and experienced employment lawyer. Nick is brilliant.
They have a depth of experience.
When representing an employer like us, they understand the mindset of the dismissed individual’s counsel, having so much experience representing individuals. I think that allows them to be more strategic on behalf of employers. They can anticipate what the other side’s attorney will do.
Gareth Brahams: one of the best employment litigators in the UK. Claire Dawson: a first-class employment lawyer with superb judgment. Paula Chan: a tenacious and commercial litigator.
Thank you to our team for their skill, creativity and commitment to achieving the best possible results for our clients. We are equally grateful to our clients, referrers and employment law colleagues for the generous feedback that underpins these rankings.
If you would like to discuss your employment law needs, please contact your usual BDBF contact, email us at info@bdbf.co.uk or call us on 020 3828 0350.
