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Cheltenham based Solicitors Hughes Paddison, have added Employment Law to the range of corporate and commercial legal services the firm offers its business clients, with the recruitment of Kimberley Whalen-Blake as a Director and Solicitor.
Kimberley will be specialising in all areas of employment law and brings with her over 10 years’ experience in her field. In her most recent role she led a large employment department in a Bristol-based law firm, expanding her experience further than just the technical aspects of the law. Kimberley has been involved in the realities of a commercial business from understanding budgets and financial forecasting, to the operational management of employees, as well as wider business strategy planning.
Managing Director, Jane Brothwood, commented on the appointment:
“I am delighted to welcome Kimberley to the Hughes Paddison team. This a very significant appointment for us as a firm, meaning that we can now offer our Corporate and Commercial clients the full suite of services that they typically need in-house. Launching into this new area, we were determined to recruit an experienced, proven professional and we are delighted to have secured somebody of Kimberley’s calibre”.
Kimberley has represented both employers and employees in employment tribunal proceedings, including conducting the advocacy. This has given her a hugely advantageous aspect, as it has enabled her to gain considerable insight into how the Tribunal conduct the cases in practice. Kimberley draws on this experience when preparing her cases, presenting them in the most advantageous way for her clients. Kimberley has advised on and litigated all aspects of employment law, from unfair dismissals, TUPE, redundancies and restructures, to lengthy and complex discrimination and whistle-blowing cases.
Kimberley, commented on her new role with Hughes Paddison:
“This a very exciting role for me. I have been very impressed by the knowledge and client service ethos that everybody at the firm embraces. I am looking forward to meeting the many corporate and commercial clients that the firm already has, but I will also be looking to help bring new business clients to the firm. Gloucestershire has a fantastic, thriving and vibrant business community and a growing reputation as a great place to run a business”.
Kimberley has a specialism in providing regular advice and assistance on corporate support work, in particular advising clients on the implications of employees transferring to the employer as a result of a TUPE transfer. Kimberley also provides a range of HR support services to SME businesses, ensuring they are up to date with the constant evolution of employment law and to help them best protect their business in what can be a very complex area of law.
In order to gain a greater insight into challenges her commercial clients faced and to assist in the provision of supporting the HR function, Kimberley under took a level 7 CIPD Human Resources qualification. Kimberley remains a member of the CIPD institute and regularly keeps herself informed on HR developments. Kimberley has a particular interest in dealing with business restructures, change management and employee strategy and value propositions.
Kimberley concluded:
“I pride myself on understanding, and being able to relate to, my clients and their needs. It is something I have regularly received positive feedback on, along with my working style and pragmatic and realistic approach”.
Outside of the workplace Kimberley enjoys spending time with her two children, particularly doing outdoor activities. She also loves travelling and exploring cultures far and wide. Kimberley is a school governor at Our Lady of the Rosary and also a trustee of local charity, The Hollie Gazzard Trust.