Michelle Hobbs

Managing Associate
Michelle works collaboratively with businesses and senior executives, offering expert and tailored guidance on every facet of employment law.
Michelle works collaboratively with businesses and senior executives, offering expert and tailored guidance on every facet of employment law.

About

Michelle joined Stevens & Bolton in 2010. She is a trusted, approachable and collaborative lawyer.

She works closely with HR professionals and in-house legal counsel offering expert employment law advice on day-to-day HR issues and complex employment law matters. Michelle also undertook a year-long secondment at one of the firm’s clients advising on all aspects of employment law

Michelle also supports senior executives throughout the life cycle of the employment relationship, from advising on employment contracts to advising on the termination of their employment, including advice on the enforceability of restrictive covenants, and negotiating exit terms.

Known for her pragmatic approach, Michelle delivers clear, commercially focused advice – helping clients balance the legal risks against commercial considerations to successfully navigate the legal and people challenges they face.

Expertise
Employment and pensions Employment for individuals

Experience

  • Recent work
    • Advised a business in the technology sector on an urgent, large-scale restructure involving the implementation of redundancies across its workforce, including advising on collective consultation obligations;
    • Acted for large multinational company in defending a complex multi-party employment tribunal claim for sexual harassment and race discrimination, including successfully representing the client at a judicial mediation and successfully negotiating the settlement of the claim;
    • Advised a client’s HR team on the management of a complex grievance and disciplinary matter involving allegations of sexual harassment, avoiding employment tribunal litigation;
    • Represented a senior executive in negotiating favorable exit terms through a settlement agreement, including the retention of valuable share options and other incentives;
    • Advised on the employment and TUPE aspects of a client in-sourcing the manufacturing process of its products.
  • Qualifications and recognition

    Michelle is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association and the International Association of Young Lawyers. She was ranked as a Key Lawyer in the Legal 500 UK 2024.

  • Advised a business in the technology sector on an urgent, large-scale restructure involving the implementation of redundancies across its workforce, including advising on collective consultation obligations;
  • Acted for large multinational company in defending a complex multi-party employment tribunal claim for sexual harassment and race discrimination, including successfully representing the client at a judicial mediation and successfully negotiating the settlement of the claim;
  • Advised a client’s HR team on the management of a complex grievance and disciplinary matter involving allegations of sexual harassment, avoiding employment tribunal litigation;
  • Represented a senior executive in negotiating favorable exit terms through a settlement agreement, including the retention of valuable share options and other incentives;
  • Advised on the employment and TUPE aspects of a client in-sourcing the manufacturing process of its products.

Michelle is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association and the International Association of Young Lawyers. She was ranked as a Key Lawyer in the Legal 500 UK 2024.

We focus on understanding clients' needs and priorities and providing real-world, practical advice to enable them to achieve their objectives.

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