HFW hires employment partner to head and build London practice

HFW has hired employment partner Michelle Chance to head and build the firm's practice in London.

Previously at Memery Crystal where she was head of contentious employment, Chance advises employers and senior executives on complex employment matters. She previously headed the London employment practices of both Rosenblatt and Womble Bond Dickinson, and spent more than six years as a partner at Kingsley Napley.

Chance will work alongside general counsel Neil Adams and the rest of HFW's employment team, with a view to expanding the practice as part of the firm's continued development of strong legal services to complement its leading sector expertise.

HFW launched an employment and workplace relations practice in Australia in 2019 with the hire of a top eight-lawyer team, and has also been strengthening its offering globally in areas such as commercial litigation, corporate, finance and regulatory.

"Michelle is a formidable litigator and negotiator, with significant experience advising clients across many of HFW's core sectors, including insurance, shipping and energy,” said Jeremy Shebson, managing partner at HFW. “She also has a proven record of building and leading successful employment practices at several law firms.

"As well as being an outstanding lawyer, Michelle is a strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, having been on the D&I committees of each of the three firms at which she's previously been a partner, and we're looking forward to her helping us to continue to progress in what is a key priority for HFW."

Chance has more than 20 years' experience advising on high-stakes employment issues, including class action discrimination claims, restrictive covenants and injunctive relief, team moves, sexual harassment, whistleblowing, employment-related FCA matters, internal investigations, and bonus disputes.

As well as a focus on HFW's core sectors – particularly insurance, shipping and energy – Chance also acts for clients in the media, professional and financial services, technology, and entertainment industries.

 "HFW has a great reputation for complex, high-value disputes, and particularly for High Court litigation, which makes it an excellent platform to build and develop a dedicated employment practice,” said Chance. “The firm's extensive global network was also very attractive to me, as I act for an increasing number of international clients, from Australia to China and the Middle East – all places where HFW has a strong and longstanding presence.

"Perhaps most important of all, I've been really impressed with the HFW culture – friendly, truly collegiate, professional and collaborative. I'm looking forward to getting started."