Matthew Leake

Matthew is head of our national specialist employment law and labour relations team in the UK, focused on giving commercial and pragmatic help to employers with their workforce issues. 

In litigation, Matthew’s expertise includes defending employers against all types of claim from routine unfair dismissal and wages claims to complex discrimination, business transfer and multi-party disputes, as well as the enforcement of restrictive covenants and other employee contractual obligations. 

In addition, Matthew provides day-to-day assistance to employers on HR issues including discipline, performance, grievance, absence management and disability adjustments, as well as strategic and technical assistance with matters such as reorganisations, redundancies and business transfers.  Matthew is also adept at drafting employment-related policies, procedures and contracts, as well as the employment aspects of commercial transaction documents.

Matthew has particular expertise in helping unionised employers, including advising on and litigating in respect of industrial action disputes and other trade union related law.

A trusted market advisor, Matthew also provides training on employment law principles and their practical application to help employers reduce risk of employment law liabilities.

Matthew acts across a broad base of clients in terms of sector and geography, including national and international clients in the fields of insurance, transport, professional services, media & entertainment, sports, life sciences, finance, and others.