The martin searle team
meet the directors |
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fiona martindirector employment law |
Fiona has acted for both small and large employers across a range of contentious and non-contentious employment issues including large scale business reorganisation redundancy programmes. She has extensive experience of training on employment issues having run courses in partnership with ACAS, Business Link and Disability Equals Business.
Since qualifying in 1996, Fiona has considerable experience of successfully bringing and defending claims in the courts and employment tribunals. She has particular expertise in advising on all types of discrimination in the workplace cases.
Fiona is the supervisor for the Legal Services Commission funded work under martin searle solicitors' employment law specialist quality mark. She is currently a member of the Steering Committee for Leaders, a Consulting Group set up to promote and encourage ethical and diverse recruitment practices amongst employers in the City.
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cate searledirector |
Cate has skilfully managed a broad range of housing and welfare benefit cases for more than 10 years and has considerable experience representing clients who have disabilities, mental health problems or caring responsibilities. Cate's work in these specialist areas has succeeded in winning martin searle solicitors a Legal Services Commission Specialist Quality Mark in both housing and community care law. Cate also provides training and advice for voluntary and statutory organisations.
Cate’s involvement in community care began at Brighton Health Authority where she worked with people with learning difficulties. After completing her legal training, she ran an advice and advocacy service at Horton Hospital, Surrey, for patients detained under the Mental Health Act. Cate was also previously involved in a mental health project for Islington People’s Rights.
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marsha thompsonsolicitor |
Marsha joined martin searle solicitors as a trainee solicitor in January 2007 and started her employment law training seat in August 2007. She gained significant practical experience in employment law managing her own caseload under supervision until she qualified as a solicitor in August 2008.
Marsha has successfully acted for a number of employees and employers in both contentious and non-contentious matters. She particularly enjoys drafting contracts and policies for businesses and also bringing and defending discrimination claims.
Marsha contributes to the firm’s community involvement by providing a legal advice surgery at the Employment Support Retraining Agency (ESRA) in Redhill.
Marsha is an active member of the Black Solicitors Network (BSN) which promotes ethnic diversity in the legal profession. In conjunction with the BSN, Marsha has offered free careers advice to prospective trainees searching for training contracts.
Marsha is also a member of the Employment Lawyers Association.
Outside of work Marsha enjoys travelling, eating out and listening to music. She also plays the piano and has a love of dance having studied at the Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts in London for seven years.
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stuart marklessemployment law caseworker |
Stuart joined martin searle solicitors as an employment law caseworker in June 2008.
Before joining martin searle solicitors Stuart worked as a fee earner in a firm of trade union solicitors in London.
Stuart’s earlier career was in the voluntary sector where he spent many years employed in various Citizens Advice Bureaux and in a Law Centre. During this time Stuart concentrated on claimants’ dismissal and discrimination cases.
Stuart has represented claimants in sex, race, disability, age and sexual orientation discrimination cases. He has also successfully represented in unfair dismissal claims relating to whistleblowing, health and safety, and on right to dependant leave grounds.
Outside of work Stuart enjoys football, cycling and table tennis.
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meet the human resources team |
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tracy lucashuman resources consultant |
Tracy has been a chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Training and Development since 1992. Her far-reaching experience has been gained in-house in the private and public sectors and as a director of her own employment law consultancy. Tracy's particular expertise is in employee relations including disciplinary issues, redundancy and change management.
Tracy has an up-to-date knowledge of employment legislation and best practice and provides practical and effective help with their application in the workplace. Tracy can also help with the application of employment legislation and the drafting or reviewing of staff handbooks and company policies and procedures.
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heather moorehuman resources consultant |
Heather is a Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development qualified human resources professional with seven years' experience as a manager in the public and education sectors. Heather’s particular experience is in setting up human resources functions, systems and procedures, and writing and putting in place policies. She has also managed small and large-scale change programmes, including redundancy, and has recent experience in addressing skills for life issues in the workplace. She has much experience of working with managers to resolve employee relations and other workplace problems.
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elspeth haydehuman resources consultant |
Elspeth is a qualified senior HR professional with over 21 years experience in the voluntary, statutory and private sectors. She has been a member of the Senior Management Team in four organisations operating in changing environments. Elspeth is able to build effective relationships with boards, managers and employees to achieve positive changes at an individual, team and organisation level. Elspeth is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. Elspeth enjoys developing and implementing HR strategy ensuring contribution to corporate goals and stakeholder involvement. She has project managed organisational development initiatives including service redesign leading to large restructuring projects in several organisations.
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