John is the head of the Employment Department. He acts for employers of all sizes from small businesses to large national and international concerns, including in relation to business transfers, the preparation of contracts of employment, effecting dismissals and conducting in-house training. John advises both employers and employees in connection with employment tribunal proceedings and appeals and is an experienced advocate.
Employment Law for Employers.
At Lanyon Bowdler, we specialise in employment law for employers.
Employment law and HR impact hugely on how a business functions – but it can also prove restrictive and time consuming at times for managers and business owners. At Lanyon Bowdler we can help relieve a lot of the burden in providing prompt, concise and commercially minded advice on how to deal with a full range of employment law and HR matters.
We don’t just sell time; we sell experience, expertise, know-how and results. We will tailor our service, pricing and payment arrangements to suit your business and priorities, whether on a standalone basis or to complement your existing HR capabilities, from anywhere between providing unlimited 24/7 support for a fixed fee to providing “pay as you go” as-required assistance – backed by service level guarantees and, if selected, insurance cover against tribunal costs and awards.
We approach employment law matters for business clients in the manner that will best suit the client’s requirements. This may mean applying a ‘least risk’, a commercially practical or an aggressive approach, depending on whether a client’s priority is to minimise exposure to risk, to reach a quick resolution or to discourage further claims of a similar nature.
Whatever your requirements, whether in relation to:
- ACAS early conciliation
- Employment tribunal claims
- Holiday queries
- Disciplinary matters
- Grievances
- Medical incapability
- Performance issues
- Bullying and harassment
- Discrimination
- Reasonable adjustments for disabled workers
- Family leave and pay entitlements
- Maternity leave and pay
- Paternity leave and pay
- Shared parental leave and pay
- Parental leave
- Time off for dependants
- Flexible working requests
- Absence management
- Settlement agreements
- TUPE (employee transfers)
- Employment contracts and handbooks
- Director’s service agreements
- Consultancy agreements
- Zero hours contracts
- Apprenticeship agreements
- Staff training
- Management training
- Whistleblowing
- Equal pay
- Employee retention
- Recruitment
- Redundancy and reorganisation, including collective consultation
- Restrictive covenants and confidentiality
- Social media conduct
- Trade union and industrial relations
- Data protection and GDPR
- Employment status issues
- Contract disputes
- Part-time workers’ rights
- Temporary and agency workers’ rights
Our specialist employment lawyers will be happy to assist you.
Our fixed fee retainer packages help businesses spread the cost of legal advice and assistance, whilst also providing pricing certainty; and they provide a ready means for managers to obtain advice at the point when they should prudently obtain it, rather than potentially waiting until it’s too late and problems being created, or being made worse.
In addition to reactive advice, depending upon the level of service you choose, we can provide in house training for managers at your premises on a range of topics such as absence management and how to deal with difficult employees at no extra cost.
Unlike some firms who offer retainer services, with Lanyon Bowdler you know that you will receive high quality advice from qualified solicitors – and not inexperienced advisers or otherwise non-solicitors. Further, given our wide geographical spread, we are local to most of our clients, and so conveniently on hand for when face to face advice and assistance is required.
Key Contact
Our Expertise
Our Employment Law Solicitors have many years experience supporting our business clients.
We offer employers insurance which will pay legal costs in respect of representation and any settlement, compensation or damages awards arising from a dispute with a worker.
Cover is triggered by the commencement of ACAS early conciliation or when a claim is issued in the employment tribunal.
Additional cover can also be provided in respect of all or any of:
- costs involved in resolving legal disputes that arise from restrictive covenants;
- representation in connection with appeals against the decision of a licensing or other authority, to change the terms of, suspend or revoke a business license or compulsory registration;
- representation in the event of prosecution under the Data Protection Act 2018.
The 2026 edition of Legal 500 states “Lanyon Bowdler‘s employment team offers specialist advice in TUPE and business transfers, as well as advice to private employees, including senior executives, regarding restrictive covenants, tribunal claims, and settlement agreements. The practice demonstrates particular experience in advising schools and colleges in relation to academy conversions.”
Testimonials
“Lanyon Bowdler stands out for its exceptional service, expertise, and pragmatic approach to employment law.”
“The employment law team is highly effective, responsive, thoughtful, and provides tailored legal advice.”
Work highlights
Advised Dodd Group in connection with the transfer out of employees under TUPE following the expiry of part of the contract for gas service and maintenance for a local authority.
The 2026 edition of Chambers UK states: “Lanyon Bowdler Solicitors is noted for its non-contentious employment expertise and is frequently sought after to advise on transactions and TUPE transfers, as well as changes to terms and conditions and policies and procedures. The team offers additional capabilities assisting with claims of discrimination and unfair dismissal, as well as redundancy processes.”
Strengths
“They have been very knowledgeable and supportive, and their strength was that their advice was not woolly. They gave me clear advice and options.”
“The communication, advice and resolution were first class.”
“The value the team offer our business is exceptional.”
“Their client care and concern is exemplary, and they work together with us as case managers to ensure the client is fully supported and understood.”
Our awards and accolades.
What our clients say.
Meet the team.
Employment Law for Employers Articles & Podcasts.
Our awards and accolades.
Get in touch.
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