Joanne Leach

Senior Associate
Employment

+44 (0) 20 7079 8267 email Joanne download vcard

Joanne advises businesses and individuals on all aspects of the rapidly changing employment law landscape and regulatory compliance.

Joanne has broad sector experience, providing advice to organisations across financial services, technology, hospitality, education, manufacturing, retail, recruitment and the charity sector. Her work encompasses a wide spectrum of employment matters, from drafting contracts and policies to resolving complex disputes and negotiating high-value exits.

She approaches every matter with a strategic mindset and genuine empathy, blending legal accuracy with practical commercial insight. Joanne is highly regarded for her ability to foresee risks, manage sensitive issues, and deliver pragmatic, sector-specific solutions that clients truly value.

Joanne has deep expertise in dealing with sensitive workplace matters such as discrimination, harassment, and whistleblowing. She is also highly skilled in employment tribunal proceedings, dispute resolution, and advising on executive departures and settlement agreements. In addition, she provides guidance on TUPE transfers and the employment implications of corporate transactions.

She frequently shares insight on legal developments, including the shifting landscape as the Employment Rights Act 2025 reshapes the world of work. She also provides training to business leaders on employment law compliance.

Areas of practice

Employment

Track Record

Supporting businesses in a wide variety of industries by providing day-to-day employment law advice and training, including in relation to the management of disciplinary processes, grievances and termination of employment.

Defending employment tribunal claims, including an application for interim relief against a telecoms company.

Achieving early dismissal and withdrawal of unfounded claims against a recruitment sector client at the preliminary stage of tribunal proceedings.

Advising on the employment aspects of a restructuring via a hive down and a subsequent sale of a distribution company, including TUPE information and consultation obligations.

Providing strategic advice on the legal and practical implications of senior executives transitioning to a competitor within the financial services sector and support regarding connected arbitration proceedings.

Negotiating a complex, high-value termination package for the outgoing CEO of a global professional services and technology organisation, resolving potential claims for unfair dismissal, whistleblowing, and breach of contract.

Advising a financial services professional regarding complex disability, sex, religion and race discrimination and harassment complaints, including negotiating terms of settlement.

Successfully defending a hospitality group against multiple coordinated race discrimination allegations brought by a group of customers relating to service provision.

Education & Qualification

King’s College London

Qualified as a solicitor in 2008