Sponsored Editorial

Kent-based Law firm Warners Solicitors has appointed two new Partners to its growing team in Tonbridge and Sevenoaks.

Louise Brenlund has joined as Head of the Employment Law Team and Andrew Hawkins will lead the Corporate Team.

Louise brings 18 years of employment law experience working with companies across all sectors, including agriculture, construction, manufacturing, education and healthcare. She has worked with clients in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.

Louise specialises in all areas of employment law and HR, including dismissals, discrimination, redundancy, business reorganisations, whistleblowing, employment tribunals and drafting policies, procedures and handbooks. In addition, Louise advises on data protection matters.

"I am delighted to join Warners at this exciting time where I have the opportunity to shape and drive the employment team, contributing towards Warners' growth and continued success,” said Louise.

“Warners is well known for giving sound, pragmatic advice to its clients, which fits in well with the way I work.”

Louise is very experienced in working with clients in the education sector and has worked with maintained, independent and faith schools as well as single and multi-academy trusts, as well as heading the Education Team at her previous firm. She has also volunteered as a governor at a UTC and is currently a Trustee at the Rivermead Inclusive Trust.

“Ensuring employment law compliance can be a daunting task for employers, particularly with the knock-on effects on both staff and businesses of the pandemic and the many proposed legal changes likely to come into effect this year, including abolishing all EU law,” she added.

“Employers, having adapted to remote working, are now facing new challenges such as more flexible ways of working, balancing this with staff wellbeing, recruitment and retention, as well as ensuring both client and business needs are met. I encourage employers to keep updated with Warners and look forward to working with clients to achieve their aims."

Andrew is an expert in all aspects of corporate and commercial law, from share and asset sales, MBOs, private equity investment and shareholder agreements to general constitutional matters, EMI schemes, banking, restructuring and insolvency.

He began his legal career with Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer and Baker & McKenzie in London before practising in leading regional firms in Kent and Sussex.

"I am delighted to be joining Warners and to be given the opportunity to grow and shape the specialist Corporate offering, building on the success and fantastic reputation the firm already has in the region for its legal services,” he said.

Andrew has over 20 years' experience in advising clients across a number of sectors, including healthcare (veterinary, pharmacy, social care and dental), IT, security, property development and retail. He works with entrepreneurs, owner-managers, SMEs, large corporates, banks, LLPs, partnerships and individuals.

“I have joined at an exciting stage of the firm's growth and whose ambitions to become the firm of choice for businesses and individuals across West Kent undoubtedly match my own. I am looking forward to working alongside the talented lawyers already at the firm and to becoming a part of the Tonbridge and Sevenoaks business communities."

Meanwhile Jeremy Ward, CEO at Warners Solicitors, is looking forward to the future as the firm continues to expand and grow in stature.

"This is a very exciting time for Warners as we continue to attract talent from the region to help us drive the firm forward,” he said.

“The addition of Andrew and Louise has significantly boosted the services we can offer to our business clients. Louise has extensive experience in all aspects of employment law. Her insight and knowledge will be invaluable to our clients.

“Andrew is well respected and highly regarded in his practice area. His expertise and previous experience of building a Corporate team will stand the firm in good stead as we embark on a new chapter for the Corporate, Commercial, IP & IT Team.

“We are very excited to have him on board and watching the Corporate team grow and develop alongside our Commercial, IP & IT team, which will continue to be led by Partner, Kevin Sullivan."