David Philip Harris
Solicitor
David is the managing partner and founder of DPH Legal Reading. He qualified in 2003 and has specialised in employment law throughout his career. As an employment law solicitor, David has an extensive employer client base ranging from small owner-managed businesses to PLCs, however, he also advises executives on the full spectrum of employment law issues.
David has provided advice in relation to litigation which has gained the attention of the national press on more than one occasion in recent years and he frequently acts for Respondents/Defendants and Claimants in high-value disputes in the Employment Tribunals and the High Court.
David has advised professional Football and Rugby clubs and Formula One teams on employment law disputes with senior personnel. He regularly appears as a guest speaker on BBC local radio and has appeared in the National Press providing expert analysis on current employment law developments.
David can be contacted at 0118 208 2000 (reception), 0118 208 2001 (direct dial), 07850 952245 (mobile); or dharris@dphlegal.com
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Mark Lafferty
Solicitor
Mark was called to the bar in 2009 before cross-qualifying as a solicitor in 2013. Mark has acted for both Claimants and Respondents in the Employment Tribunal and also has experience in litigation in the Employment Appeals Tribunal, County Court and High Court in addition to regularly advising employers on non-contentious matters.
Mark has experience in dealing with a wide range of areas of employment law including but not limited to unfair dismissal, discrimination, whistleblowing, and TUPE. Mark also has experience in advising on related matters such as breach of contract, post-termination restrictions, and pensions.
Mark is also a qualified teacher and has previously held lecturing posts at the City of Oxford College and the University of Warwick, where he taught contract law. Mark is a member of the Employment Lawyers Bar Association and the Employment Lawyers Association.
Outside of work, Mark enjoys playing the guitar, reading and spending time with his family.
Mark can be contacted at 0118 208 2000 (reception), 0118 208 2002 (direct dial), 07964 842157 (mobile) or mlafferty@dphlegal.com
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John McConkey
Solicitor
Originally from Belfast where he obtained his undergraduate degree, John moved to Cardiff in 2008 to complete the Legal Practice Course and lived in South Wales for approximately seven years before relocating to the Berkshire area in November 2015.
John qualified as a solicitor in 2012 and obtained a broad range of experience in employment law working for a firm based in Cardiff followed by a larger, medium-sized practice based in West London.
John has extensive experience with contentious and non-contentious employment disputes acting for both individuals and employers of all sizes including the implications of the TUPE regulations upon buying/selling a company; advising employers regarding redundancy situations including the consultation of staff, selection criteria and potential dismissals; drafting contracts of employment, consultancy agreements, zero-hours contracts, settlement agreements, staff handbooks and letters to employees engaged in disciplinary proceedings; acting for employees in relation to issuing claims for unfair dismissal (including constructive dismissal), redundancy, disability discrimination, unlawful deduction of wages and holiday pay; and advising employees regarding the terms and implications of settlement agreements. John also has experience in advising on litigation outside of the Employment Tribunal.
Outside of work, John enjoys getting involved in a wide variety of sports but his main passions are surfing, football and golf.
John can be contacted at 0118 208 2000 (reception), 0118 208 2003 (direct dial), 07375 518962 (mobile) or jmcconkey@dphlegal.com
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April Gordon
Solicitor
April is a well-regarded employment solicitor with extensive experience advising both employers and employees on a wide range of employment law matters.
April’s experience includes all matters from before, during and after the employment relationship begins, including both advisory and contentious work. She was at a city firm prior to arriving at DPH legal predominately advising employers on complex and high-value disputes.
April is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association, the Law Society and the SRA.
April can be contacted at 0118 208 2000 (reception), 0118 208 1371 (direct dial), 07386 968953 (mobile) or agordon@dphlegal.com
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Nicholas Febrer
Solicitor
Nicholas has over nine years of experience in providing advice to clients on a broad spectrum of employment law matters. In particular, he frequently advises on employment-related issues such as redundancy, unfair dismissal, discrimination, and whistleblowing.
His range of experience covers both contentious and non-contentious employment disputes. Acting on behalf of employer clients, Nicholas advises on business immigration, redundancy situations, and consultancy agreements, as well as regularly drafting employment contracts, settlement agreements, staff handbooks and letters to employees engaged in disciplinary proceedings.
Acting for employees, Nicholas regularly advises on the terms and implications of settlement agreements. He also provides advice and representation in relation to issuing claims for unfair dismissal, redundancy, discrimination, unlawful deduction of wages and holiday pay.
Nicholas can be contacted at 0118 208 2000(reception), 0118 208 2004(direct dial), 07534 328831(mobile) or nfebrer@dphlegal.com
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Stevyn Jackson
Solicitor
Stevyn qualified as a solicitor in 1991 as a result he has a wealth of experience in all employment law matters. He has extensive experience dealing with employment law matters as well as contested litigation arising from employment disputes in other courts. His experience also includes a range of breach of contract claims and injunctions arising from breaches of restrictive covenants.
Stevyn has successfully concluded race and disability discrimination claims in the Employment Tribunal recovering damages in excess of £100,000 on behalf of several clients.
On behalf of employers, Stevyn has successfully defended both unfair dismissals, and constructive dismissal claims as well as claims relating to all forms of discrimination.
Stevyn’s expertise ranges across employment law, corporate law and commercial litigation. He has advised on and drafted shareholder agreements for directors and companies and he has frequently been involved in litigation in the High Court.
Stevyn is a keen tennis and cricket player and was formerly chairperson of a leading Oxfordshire cricket club.
Stevyn can be contacted at 0118 208 2000(reception), 0118 208 2012(direct dial), 07502 253686(mobile) or SJackson@dphlegal.com
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Jennifer Al-Janabi
Solicitor
Jennifer has extensive experience in employment law qualifying at a Birmingham-based commercial law firm in 2006.
She has experience in advising both employees and employers on the full range of employment issues, including discrimination claims, unfair dismissal, TUPE, redundancies, preparing contractual documents and advising on settlement agreements.
Jennifer has had considerable success in the employment tribunal, in particular in discrimination and unfair dismissal complaints. Jennifer has also advised and represented companies in litigation relating to post-termination restrictions, including obtaining injunctive relief.
Outside of work, Jennifer enjoys days out with her children as well as swimming, walking and reading.
Jennifer can be contacted at 0118 208 2000(reception), 0118 208 2009(direct dial), 07928 811450
(mobile) or send an email at JAL-Janabi@dphlegal.com
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Rachel Evans
Solicitor
Rachel has over 20 years’ experience in employment law.
Rachel advises employers and employees on a wide range of employment issues, including unfair and wrongful dismissal, redundancy, disability discrimination claims, disciplinary and grievance issues, and claims at the Employment Tribunal. She also has extensive experience in preparing and advising on settlement agreements, employment contracts, service agreements, consultancy agreements and employment handbooks and policies.
Rachel is a highly skilled negotiator. Her purposeful and pragmatic approach is aimed at resolving matters as swiftly as possible and achieving the best possible outcomes for her clients.
Outside of work, Rachel is an avid Liverpool fan and in addition, can regularly be seen at Villa Park supporting her son’s football team. Rachel has two other children and spends her time catering for their every need.
Rachel can be contacted at 0118 208 2000(reception), 0118 208 1370 (direct dial), 07392 389065 (mobile) or revans@dphlegal.com
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Charlotte Grew
Solicitor
Charlotte qualified as a solicitor in 2008 and has over fifteen years of experience in employment law, company law, and dispute resolution.
Charlotte advises employers and employees on a wide range of employment issues, including unfair and wrongful dismissal, redundancy, work-related stress, bullying and harassment, discrimination, disciplinary and grievance issues, and claims at the Employment Tribunal. She also has extensive experience in preparing and advising on settlement agreements, employment contracts, service agreements, consultancy agreements, and employment handbooks and policies.
In addition to her expertise in employment law, Charlotte also provides advice on company law matters, including directors’ duties, shareholders’ agreements, and business sales and acquisitions.
Outside of work, Charlotte enjoys sailing, horse-riding, and tennis, as well as spending time with her family.
Charlotte can be contacted at 0118 208 2000(reception), 0118 208 2006(direct dial), 07508 660900(mobile) or cgrew@dphlegal.com
Marie Brittenden
Solicitor
Marie was called to the Bar in 1999, and qualified as a solicitor in 2003. Her passion lies in all aspects of employment law, with a particular interest in industrial relations, disability, redundancy, and discrimination. She is known for her empathetic approach, taking the time to understand her clients’ unique concerns and needs.
Having grown up in Gibraltar, Marie is fluent in Spanish and converses comfortably in French and Italian. She is a member of both The Law Society and the Employment Lawyers Association.
Outside of work, Marie can be found breeding and riding her beloved Rocky Mountain Horses, ferrying her children around, and managing the needs of her Belgian Shepherd and various other creatures.
Marie can be contacted at 0118 208 2000 (reception), 0118 208 2007 (direct dial), 07554 660096 (mobile) or mbrittenden@dphlegal.com
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James Eden
Solicitor
James qualified as a solicitor in 2014.
He has extensive experience in advising on a range of contentious and non-contentious employment issues, for both employers and employees, including assisting clients in bringing and defending claims in the Employment Tribunal. He also has extensive litigation experience and a good knowledge of Civil Procedure Rules.
James has experience in advising on matters including disciplinary and grievance issues, employment contracts, restrictive covenants and settlement agreements.’
James is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association, the SRA and the Law Society.
James can be contacted at 0118 208 2000 (reception), 0118 208 2005 (direct dial), 07495 835530 (mobile) or jeden@dphlegal.com