Smith Hamilton was founded in 2014 as a boutique firm focused on corporate and commercial law, with expertise in fund management and advising senior executives, shareholders and entrepreneurs.
In 2023, the firm became part of MEUM Group, a multidisciplinary platform supporting ultra-high-net-worth individuals, their families and their businesses. During this period, our practice broadened significantly to include family, private client, education, charities and regulatory work, employment, and dispute resolution.
The law firm is now building on that growth to operate independently once again under the Smith Hamilton name. This transition reflects a natural progression in our growth and allows us to focus fully on delivering an integrated legal service under a single specialist brand, while retaining the expanded expertise developed over recent years.
For our clients, it remains very much business as usual – the same team, the same relationships, and an even broader depth of capability.
Employment
We advise employers, employees, senior executives and founders on the full spectrum of employment matters.
Smith Hamilton advises employers, employees, senior executives and founders on the full spectrum of employment matters. We provide clear, pragmatic advice on appointments and exits, workplace issues, incentives and disputes, supporting clients through day-to-day employment decisions as well as complex and sensitive situations.
Key Figure
Mark Stiebel
Partner
Our Employment Services
Executive Appointments and Departures
Employment Disputes
Workplace Investigations
Restrictive Covenants and Team Moves
Incentives and Remuneration
Restructuring and Redundancies
TUPE and Transactional Support
Policies and Regulatory Compliance
We advise employers, senior executives and founders on all aspects of appointments and exits, ensuring agreements are commercially sound and protect long-term business interests.
- Drafting and negotiating executive service agreements
- Managing senior-level exits and settlement discussions
- Advising on post-termination restrictions
- Supporting sensitive leadership transitions
- Ensuring compliance with regulatory and governance requirements
We help employers and employees resolve workplace disputes efficiently, with a focus on reducing risk and achieving practical outcomes.
- Handling grievances and disciplinary matters
- Managing dismissal, whistleblowing and discrimination claims
- Advising on dispute resolution strategy
- Representing clients in negotiations and tribunal proceedings
- Supporting early-stage intervention to mitigate risk
We carry out or support independent investigations into serious workplace issues, ensuring processes are fair, confidential and aligned with best practice.
- Investigating allegations of misconduct or inappropriate behaviour
- Conducting interviews and gathering evidence
- Preparing investigation reports and recommendations
- Advising on outcomes and next steps
- Supporting regulated or sensitive investigations
We help organisations protect their business interests through carefully structured restrictive covenants and strategic management of team-move scenarios.
- Drafting and enforcing post-termination restrictions
- Advising on protection of confidential information and client relationships
- Managing competitive hires and team-move risks
- Responding to allegations of breach
- Supporting injunction applications where necessary
We advise on remuneration structures that attract and retain talent while ensuring compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
- Drafting bonus, commission and performance-based schemes
- Advising on equity and long-term incentive arrangements
- Supporting remuneration negotiations at hire and exit
- Ensuring tax and regulatory compliance
- Preparing remuneration policies and documentation
We support businesses through restructuring processes with a focus on legal compliance, fairness and minimising operational disruption.
- Planning and implementing redundancy exercises
- Advising on consultation obligations
- Managing changes to roles, terms or organisational structure
- Supporting risk management during business reorganisations
- Preparing documentation and communication materials
We advise on TUPE in the context of business transfers, outsourcing and acquisitions, ensuring risks are identified early and managed effectively.
- Assessing whether TUPE applies to a transaction
- Managing employee consultation and information obligations
- Advising on liabilities and contractual issues
- Supporting due diligence and deal negotiations
- Ensuring post-transfer integration and compliance
We help organisations develop clear, compliant employment policies and meet their regulatory responsibilities.
- Drafting employment policies, procedures and handbooks
- Conducting compliance audits and risk reviews
- Advising on regulatory and sector-specific requirements
- Implementing governance frameworks for HR compliance
- Delivering training on policy application and legal obligations
Our Team
Who We Act For
Our clients value clear advice, commercial judgement and a calm, steady hand during complex transactions.