Deborah Henning – head of employment at Jacksons Law Firm .
Taking a practical , pragmatic , human approach to workplace law
EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIPS
Solicitor and Jacksons ’ new head of employment , Deborah Henning , considers the employment relationship one of the most important in life .
Well , they say Thursday ’ s child has far to go and I certainly came to Jacksons as head of employment by the long and circuitous route for a child born on a Thursday in the North-East !
It started by me heading off to study law at Essex and then Guildford .
After qualifying in the south , I represented financial institutions in commercial litigation and spent a lot of time in the Royal Courts of Justice , that court you always see on the news at the top of the Strand !
A well-known bank started giving me employment law work as well . I found that I loved it and gradually moved away from the more commercial litigation .
The pull of the North-East was too great , and I returned with a husband , a baby in tow and ended up working for a large national trade union law firm .
Most recently I ’ ve acted for employer clients guiding HR and ER managers in a unionised environment , representing , and advising in matters from trial advocacy to the employment issues that arise on business transfers .
Employment law is academically challenging with a very real human interface and one of those areas of law where you can make a real difference regardless of whether you are acting for the employer or employee . The employment relationship can be complex and sensitive and , whilst I act for both employees and employers , I never forget that , when representing the employer , the managers instructing me are also employees , and employers are not unfeeling faceless institutions .
My primary aim is always to achieve a solution which works for everyone whether a relationship repaired , an exit from the business or a settlement .
Disruption is a commercial reality when the employment relationship breaks down . It can be distressing to managers to have to meet the challenge of the claim .
Allegations can be very hurtful , especially of discrimination , where my experience has taught me that in most cases no one has deliberately set out to do anyone any harm , but harm is caused on both sides – employer or employee .
Unfortunately , agreed resolution is not always possible and , when necessary , I am happy to step into the arena as advocate .
Looking back over my 20 years as an employment solicitor , I am proud to have acted for both employers and employees .
I have worked on complex discrimination claims on both side of the fence and managed equal pay work for the major local government and health unions , gaining a very good understanding of how local government and the NHS worked , particularly their pay and grading structures , and worked on many of the cases that became famous ( at least in legal circles !).
Joining Jacksons earlier this year was a great move for me , giving me the opportunity to represent fantastic existing and future clients of the firm .
Employment law is about human relationships , with a bit of law thrown into the mix , and that ’ s where I come in .
My practical , pragmatic approach and experience allow me to see both sides enabling me to give fully rounded and practical advice , whatever your problem .
I ’ m excited to be heading up the employment team for Jacksons and looking forward to helping clients get the best outcomes .
If you have any employment law concerns or queries , be it as an employer or employee , please get in touch by email at dhenning @ jacksons-law . com or call 0191 933 6409 .
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