Gemma is a Principal Associate in our Employment and Immigration team.
She joined the team in January 2023 and advises on contentious and non-contentious employment issues, providing guidance to businesses and individuals on all aspects of employment law and human resources.
Gemma qualified in 2008 and has since acquired extensive experience in employment tribunal litigation. She has a particular interest in complex disputes such as whistleblowing and discrimination.
In addition, Gemma provides training, workshops and advice for human resource professionals on a range of topics, including employment law updates, discipline, grievances, discrimination and whistleblowing. Gemma was also a lecturer at University of South Wales where she delivered the Employment Law module on the CIPD recognised Human Resources Management course.
Gemma has volunteered as a Pro Bono Employment Law Adviser at LawWorks since 2009.
Expertise
- Education
- Employment
- Employment Tribunal litigation
- Unfair and wrongful dismissal
- Discrimination
- Whistleblowing claims
- Senior Executive dismissals and exit negotiations
- Post-termination restrictions
- Service agreements and consultancy agreements
- Drafting and negotiating complex contracts and policies
- HR Advice
- Employment law training
- Social Housing
Recent work
Employment Tribunal (ET) Respondent
Acted for an Employment Tribunal (ET) Respondent who was confronted with multiple grievances and a subsequent constructive dismissal and discrimination ET complaint. The work included HR advice prior to litigation beginning, as to management of the grievances. The grievance strategy adopted was heavily relied upon in the ET defence and ultimately led to the Claimant deciding to withdraw all claims.
Individual
Negotiated a severance package on behalf of an individual seeking to leave 10+ year employment following changes in senior management and advised the client on the settlement agreement terms.
ET Claimant
Acted for an ET Claimant pursuing claims related to constructive dismissal, whistleblowing and discrimination.
Senior Leadership individual
Advised a Senior Leadership individual accused of misconduct who held counter-accusations of harassment and age discrimination. Advice related to each of the disciplinary and grievance procedures, together with without prejudice discussion strategy and settlement agreement.
Small employer with limited HR resources
Advised a small employer with limited HR resources in respect of sequential allegations of sexual harassment by one employee against another.
ET Claimant
Acted for an ET Claimant pursuing claims of alleged disability discrimination including participation in a two-day independent mediation, which resulted in full and final resolution of the active ET claim and pending future claims.
Languages
- Italian (Elementary proficiency)
