Overview

Emma Vennesson counsels clients on national and international employment issues. She also represents them in litigation and in cross-border mergers and acquisitions. Emma has the unique perspective of having been seconded to a global software company to manage its employment-related issues across EMEA and APAC.

Employment Counseling

Emma advises employers on a wide range of matters, including:
  • Fair recruitment procedures 
  • Employment status
  • Contracts of employment and service agreements
  • Employment policies and procedures, including grievance and disciplinary procedures
  • Post-termination non-compete restrictions 
  • Discrimination and harassment
  • Effective management of staff, including dealing with poor performance and long-term absence
  • Senior executive terminations
  • Severance agreements 
  • Redundancies and business reorganizations
  • Compliance with data protection obligations, including those arising from the EU's General Data Protection Regulation

Additionally, Emma advises high net worth individuals on employment issues, including the negotiation of employment terms, remuneration packages and severance terms

Litigation

Emma defends employers in all aspects of U.K. employment litigation, including against claims of unfair dismissal, discrimination and whistleblowing. She also represents employers in non-compete and restraint of trade cases. 

Cross-Border Mergers & Acquisitions 

Emma counsels national and international organizations on employment implications of mergers and acquisitions in the U.K. and internationally, including on the implications of the U.K.’s Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations and the EU’s Acquired Rights Directive.

International Experience

Emma advises multinational businesses on worldwide labor and employment issues, including:
  • Foreign assignments and secondments
  • Foreign hires
  • Labor and employment laws applicable to U.K. operations of global organizations
  • Management of local counsel on international projects

Past experience

Before joining the firm, Emma was a solicitor with two international law firms.

Credentials

Admissions

Solicitor of the Courts of England & Wales [Solicitors Regulation Authority]

Languages

Spanish
French

Education

College of Law, London
LPC with distinction (2004)

University College London
LL.B. with honors (2000)

University of Paris II, Sorbonne
Diploma in French Law (1999)

Insights & Events

Other Perspectives
  • U.S. -v- England: Key Differences in Employment Law
    XpertHR Webinar, June 2015

Firm Blog Contributions

  • LaborSphere – a resource providing coverage and insights on breaking cases, recently enacted legislation and a broad range of labor issues

Leadership & Community

Pro Bono

  • LawWorks for Community Groups

Professional Associations

  • Law Society of England and Wales
  • Employment Lawyers Association

Honors

  • Faegre Baker Daniels – Pro Bono Honor Roll, 2016