Manchester Employment Law Training Afternoon

Martina Murphy

Martina Murphy specialises in complex employment litigation, including whistleblowing and discrimination. She also has cross-over expertise in Professional Discipline. She regularly appears unled in the appellate courts including the EAT and the Court of Appeal; often instructed directly on appeals without having appeared below. Martina has been appointed as a member of the editorial board of Harvey (lead practitioner text). She is Chair of the Employment Law Bar Association.

Martina is recognised as a Leading Junior in both Employment and Professional Discipline & Regulatory law. She has been described by the directories in the following terms:

“Martina’s advocacy is excellent, as is her ability to relate to clients and really understand their aims.’ (Legal 500, 2023).

“Martina is quick to grasp complex legal and factual issues. She is client-focused, practical and technically excellent” (Chambers, 2023).

“The quality of her written work and advocacy is impressive, she is unflappable.” (Chambers, 2022).

She “possesses expertise in whistle-blowing matters, including those arising in the medical profession.” (Chambers, 2021).

“Technically excellent, well prepared, detailed, and great with clients. She inspires confidence in clients with clear pragmatic advice. She is also liked by employment judges because she moves the hearing along, especially in cross-examination.” (Legal 500, 2021).

“Successfully defended the respondent in Khan v The WKCIC Group, against all claims of unfair dismissal, unauthorised deduction from wages, victimisation and discrimination because of sex, race, disability, age and religion.” (Chambers, 2021).

Ghazaleh Rezaie

Ghazaleh attracts consistent praise from solicitors and lay clients for her attention to detail, strategic thinking and commercial awareness. She is particularly commended for her user-friendly approach and command of the court room during cross examination.

Ghazaleh’s practice encompasses every aspect of employment law and she is regularly instructed to attend Employment Tribunal and High Court trials in disputes involving discrimination in respect of all protected characteristics, equal pay, whistleblowing, TUPE, unfair dismissal, redundancy, PHA claims, PHI claims, restraint of trade and partnership disputes. Ghazaleh has familiarity with all aspects of employment tribunal and employment appeal tribunal practice and procedure, to include costs applications.

Consistently providing the highest standards of service result in regular and repeat instructions from solicitors of the highest calibre. Solicitors welcome her collaborative approach to litigation, choosing to seek her advice and guidance from the earliest stages of litigation, ensuring in turn that the service to the lay client is as comprehensive as can. Client’s see Ghazaleh and her solicitors as their team.

Ghazaleh’s core clients include globally renowned facilities management and logistics companies, nationwide pharmaceutical companies, educational institutions, NHS Trusts and Local Authorities.

Ghazaleh maintains a personal injury practice and is therefore particular adept at advising on matters where there is a cross-over between employment law and personal injury, such as stress at work claims. Her expertise in discrimination matters and the Equality Act 2010 have also stood her in good stead in cases concerning the provision of services both by public and private entities.

Where, as is often the case in the Employment Tribunal, Ghazaleh’s practice has seen her face a litigant-in-person, Ghazaleh has been commended by Judges for her sensitivity and considered approach notwithstanding the tenacity with which she presents her client’s position.

David Green

David is a leading personal injury junior. “The quality of David’s advice is second to none” (Legal 500 2022).

In personal injury he specialises in occupational and environmental disease claims, including all aspects of asbestos disease, and noise-induced hearing loss.

He maintains a particular interest and specialism in military cases, and is instructed in the ongoing military deafness litigation (led by Harry Steinberg KC).

David is also ranked as a rising star in employment law. “David is an excellent advocate and is able to think very well on his feet. He has very good technical knowledge of both the law and procedure” (Legal 500 2022).

Cases include:

Abbott v Ministry of Defence [2022] EWHC 1807 (QB): represented nearly 3,500 claimants for noise-induced hearing loss and/or tinnitus brought against the MOD (led by Harry Steinberg KC).

Wokingham Borough Council v Arshad [2022] EWHC 2419 (KB): successful appeal on behalf of a local authority against claim for psychiatric damage, brought by a taxi driver after a mistake in the taxi licensing process.

David also appeared for the successful Respondent in Greene v Davies [2022] EWCA Civ 414, an appeal concerning an important point of law on abuse of process in regulatory disciplinary proceedings.

Tim Goodwin

2019: Called to the Bar |  2012: Admitted to the Solicitors’ Roll

Tim is recognised as a leading employment junior who is described in the current edition of Legal 500 as “first-rate” and "quick on his feet". His employment work is complemented by a personal injury practice that is focused on psychiatric injuries arising from workplace stress, harassment and bullying. Tim is currently Head of 12KBW’s Employment Practice Group and was a finalist for the Legal 500's Employment Junior of the Year 2023 award.

Tim qualified as a solicitor in 2012 and, before being called to the Bar, practiced as a Senior Associate in a Tier 1 rated City employment firm. In that role he was responsible for cases at all levels and across the broad spectrum of employment disputes. Tim’s considerable experience of employment disputes and civil litigation has furnished him with a level of expertise and knowledge that is well beyond his year of call, meaning that he is frequently instructed on complex, difficult and high-value cases.

Tim has considerable advocacy experience, appearing in tribunals and county courts on a near-daily basis. He also appears in the High Court and Employment Appeal Tribunal, often unled. Tim combines his court work with advisory and drafting work, and can be depended on to deliver results consistently, quickly and commercially. Additionally, Tim has extensive experience of alternative dispute resolution, including formal, informal and judicial mediations, settlement negotiations and arbitration.