Expertise

Jemma advises on a wide range of employment law and HR issues, acting for both companies and individuals.

She is experienced in contentious matters and regularly deals with all types of claims brought in both the Employment Tribunal and the civil courts. She also regularly assists with dispute resolution within the workplace to manage issues before they become claims.

Jemma provides advice on a variety of non-contentious matters, from general day-to-day workplace issues – such as sickness absence, performance management, disciplinary issues and grievances – to large-scale redundancies and restructures.

Jemma often drafts employment contracts, service agreements, consultancy agreements and staff handbooks. She manages the employment aspects of corporate and property transactions and is very experienced in negotiating exit packages and settlement agreements, both from an employer and employee perspective.

Jemma regularly writes for various HR publications, commenting on changes in the employment law world or providing practical guidance on how to deal with issues that may arise in the workplace.

Recent Experience

• Successfully defending a business against a claim made by a former employee for race discrimination, health and safety detriments and unfair dismissal (and obtaining a costs award against that individual).
• Drafting new employment documentation for a well-known hotel chain.
• Advising a national retailer on changing terms and conditions of employment.
• Representing a Senior Executive in his whistleblowing, unfair dismissal and discrimination claims.

Career History

Jemma read law at Cardiff University where she qualified in 2012. Prior to joining Wedlake Bell, she spent a number of years working at a leading regional firm.

Jemma is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association.