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Partnerships lawyers

Being part of a professional partnership brings exciting opportunities but it is not always straightforward. An LLP ourselves, we can advise you at every stage, from joining negotiations to exit packages and navigating any issues that arise in between.

Whether you are joining or leaving a partnership, taking advice early is the key to getting the right outcome. It is essential to negotiate a decent deal at the outset as members of LLPs cannot claim constructive dismissal and walk out, expecting to be compensated. 

We have represented partners from a range of professions, including stockbrokers, accountants and management consultants. We recently represented an architect in a dispute over whether he was a partner or an employee and have advised several female partners who were facing gender discrimination.

Our strong reputation means that lawyers from other firms frequently consult us on complex issues relating to LLPs. For instance, our partnership solicitors acted for the partners in the securitization team at law firm Norton Rose on their move to Baker & McKenzie. Meriel Schindler, a partner in the employment team, recently negotiated with a Magic Circle law firm on behalf of a partner who was suffering from anorexia.

Our team of partnership lawyers can also assist in situations where the lines between partnership, shareholding and employment are blurred. The co-founder of one successful British business consulted us because he was being ousted as an employee of the company. Our client believed that this was due to a disability but his co-founders alleged gross misconduct. The terms of his shareholder agreement also meant that he could have lost shares worth millions of pounds. We argued that our client was being discriminated against as an employee and, further, that his arrangement amounted to a quasi-partnership. The company settled the dispute, with the result that our client was able to resign rather than being dismissed for gross misconduct and received payment for his shares.

Track record

Our team

Claire Christy

Claire Christy

Partner | London

Claire Christy

Partner | London

Employment

Emma Sanderson

Emma Sanderson

Consultant | London

Emma Sanderson

Consultant | London

Employment

Christina Morton

Christina Morton

Senior Knowledge Lawyer | London

Christina Morton

Senior Knowledge Lawyer | London

Employment

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