Kate Brooks

My Approach

To be approachable and straight forward in providing clients with practical and workable solutions to employment issues.

Area of Expertise

• Employment tribunal claims;
• Negotiating termination deals;
• Preparing/reviewing/amending all employment documents: for example, contract of employment, staff handbook, directors' service agreements and consultancy agreements;
• Advising on employment status: for example, are the courts likely to find that your employees are employed, worker status or self employed?
• Data Protection;
• All aspects of the employment relationship to include: disciplinary (misconduct/gross misconduct) procedures, poor performance (capability), sickness absence, grievances, redundancy/ reorganisation/ restructures;
• How to change terms and conditions of employment;
• Restrictions after the end of employment;
• Employment considerations in relation to commercial deals - Transfer of Undertakings (TUPE);
• HR consultancy service: acting as your HR department, HR training on a range of topics tailored for your business.
• Preparing and negotiating settlement agreements
• Advising employees on the terms of settlement agreements

Recent Work

• Representing a charity in defending a constructive dismissal, whistle blowing and discrimination claim in the employment tribunal;
• Negotiating and advising senior employees in relation to exit packages and settlement agreements;
• Preparing employment contracts for senior employees, directors and junior employees. Clauses in the contracts include confidentiality, data protection, intellectual property and restrictions on termination of employment;
• Preparing a detailed staff handbook to include all relevant employee policies.
• Preparing and advising settlement agreements for employers

Professional Associations & Qualifications

• The Times Top 200 Law Firms (2020) - Kate Brooks, head of employment and HR services, recently represented a charity defending a constructive dismissal, whistleblowing and discrimination claim in the Employment Tribunal.
• Recommended Lawyer by The Legal 500 UK 2025 for Employment Law - ‘Kate Brooks and her team go above and beyond.’
• Recommended Lawyer by The Legal 500 UK 2024 for Employment Law - recognised as being "extremely accessible in terms of keeping in touch and in contact, and dealt with everything which arose promptly, professionally and sensibly."
• Recommended Lawyer by The Legal 500 UK 2023 for Employment Law - described as outstanding in her ability to empathise and enable the employer to deal with difficult situations correctly
• Recommended Lawyer by The Legal 500 (UK 2022) for Employment Law – described as “absolutely fantastic at providing support both for businesses requiring support and guidance whilst being realistic how the true business world works and also, helping personal clients”.
• Recommended Lawyer by The Legal 500 (UK 2020) for Employment
• Recommended Lawyer by The Legal 500 (UK 2020) for Business Services
• Recommended Lawyer by The Legal 500 (UK 2019) for Employment for being 'confident and clear in her advice, summarises the case, weighs up the options fairly and then advises on the correct approach'.
• Recommended Lawyer by The Legal 500 (UK 2017)
• Recommended Lawyer by The Legal 500 (UK 2016) for Employment - commended by clients who would have "no hesitation recommending" her.
• Recommended Lawyer by The Legal 500 (UK 2015) for Employment and given specific credit for “considered and appropriate advice”.
• Qualified as a solicitor in September 2011
• Member of the Employment Lawyers Association.
• Completion of Legal Practice Course at the College of Law Guildford.
• LLB (Hons) Law Degree from University of Bournemouth.