“I feel privileged to do a job that I love, particularly when it comes to representing clients in employment tribunal litigation. I enjoy the variety that comes with meeting new people and working with a wide range of businesses.”

Deborah is an experienced employment law solicitor with over 20 years' experience specialising in employment law. Deborah is known for being clear and approachable.

Areas of practice include:

Sector experience includes:

Admitted

2002: Scotland

Relevant experience

Successfully defending the University of Glasgow in two discrimination claims with extensive issues and lengthy hearings.
Representing other Further Education clients in claims of discrimination, unfair dismissal, redundancy, and in relation to fixed term contracts.
Advising a University on the management of a sensitive situation involving an employee with mental health issues who had threatened to commit suicide on University premises.
Advising on the disciplinary procedure in relation to a member of academic staff who made inappropriate sexual advances to a student he was supervising.
Advising a college on the dismissal of their Principal and the Board secretary, and playing a key part in the successful defence of an employment tribunal claim related to this.
Advising on contract and policy issues, including drafting the contract of employment for a University Principal.
Conducting extensive independent investigations for three separate Further Education Institutions into allegations of wrongdoing. In all cases the allegations were made against members of the Senior Management Team.
Providing employment law advice for companies operating waste from energy recycling plants, including drafting contracts of employment, dealing with disciplinary, performance, grievance and sickness absence issues, assisting with union negotiations over pay, advising on holiday pay issues, and successfully representing one of the clients in employment tribunal litigation.
Advising a University on the management of a sensitive situation involving an employee with mental health issues who had threatened to commit suicide on University premises.
Advising a college on the dismissal of their Principal and the Board secretary, and playing a key part in the successful defence of an employment tribunal claim related to this.
Representing an oil and gas client in a four-day employment tribunal against allegations of unfair dismissal and disability discrimination.
Acting for large public sector clients on a range of major infrastructure projects, in particular on complex Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) issues involving contractors and sub-contractors.

“Diligent, realistic, strategic adviser with excellent communication skills. Pragmatic advice taking into account the client’s entire world rather than a single specific legal issue.”

Legal 500 (2023)