Adele Martins (Partner) is Head of Magrath Sheldrick’s Employment Department.

Adele’s practice covers all aspects of employment law, as well as advice on related data protection issues. She has a client base ranging from multinational PLC’s to private individuals and particularly enjoys helping clients develop pragmatic solutions to overcome issues, whether for employers or for employees for managing challenging workplace situations.

Adele is known for her practical and commercial approach. She has extensive experience of advising on complex employee relations issues, TUPE, collective consultation, whistleblowing and the drafting and enforcement of complex contracts, restrictive covenants, garden leave and employment terminations.

Adele regularly deals with complaints of unfair dismissal and discrimination in the Employment Tribunal and in addition to HR support, provides clinics and training courses on a regular basis.

Joanne Taylor is a qualified Solicitor and Partner in the UK Immigration team at Magrath Sheldrick with many years of experience. Acknowledged by Whos Who Legal (“WWL”) Thought Leaders: Global Elite 2024 - inclusion on the list are individuals who obtained the highest number of nominations from peers, corporate counsel and other market sources in the most recent research cycle. Feedback from clients and WWL includes:

“she gains plaudits for her “ability to convey complex immigration advice in easy to understand laymen terms”. Clients highly appreciate her “understanding of their business and her skill in speaking to all layers of the business” and her willingness to “go the extra mile”.

Joanne partners with and oversees the Immigration programmes for several large multi-national corporations together with SMEs ensuring that the solutions fit their business needs and ambitions. Providing policies and guidance to ensure that large scale immigration programmes operate seamlessly. Often lobbying the Home Office to raise the profile of issues affecting corporate clients and applicants and is involved in policy and Immigration law reviews with the Home Office, attending monthly meetings with the Home Office to discuss operational and policy changes.

Focusing primarily on corporate immigration she advises and assists many HR departments to determine their immigration needs for both existing and new hires into the business. All individuals are then assisted through the entire immigration process by her and her team. Joanne provides holistic support with all Sponsor Licence matters, which includes training, assistance with record keeping and Home Office audits. She will always consider strategic solutions for businesses to ensure compliance with strict Home Office requirements, whilst ensuring the business needs can be met, often exploring alternative immigration categories.

Joanne has been closely involved with the Immigration Law Practitioner Association (“ILPA”) for many years and is also an Associate Member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (“AILA”) and British American Business (“BAB”). Joanne was also nominated for Women in Law Award 2020.

Maria joined Magrath Sheldrick in 2011 and qualified into the Employment Department in August 2013.

Maria advises both employers and individuals on all aspects of the employment relationship, from preparing to hire an employee to negotiating exits and issuing or defending claims when necessary. She has successfully represented both employer and employee clients in claims related to unfair dismissal, discrimination (including disability discrimination), and whistleblowing. Maria has also acted for clients seeking to enforce post-termination restrictions and confidentiality obligations.

Maria regularly advises clients on redundancy processes and procedures, including where collective consultation obligations are triggered. She has provided corporate support on transactional matters, including advising clients on the impact of TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment)) on business transfers and service provision changes.

In addition, Maria offers commercial and practical advice to clients on managing day-to-day employment issues while minimizing potential risks, such as handling sickness absence, grievance, and disciplinary processes.

Maria writes articles on employment law topics for various publications and delivers bespoke in-house training for clients.