Michael Kerrigan

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT MICHAEL KERRIGAN

As a Senior Associate at Debenhams Ottaway LLP specialising in Employment Law I work with clients across a wide range of sectors including healthcare, education and technology.I deal with a wide range of contentious and non contentious Employment matters for a wide range of employees and employer clients of various sizes.I advise on the enforcement of post-termination restrictions acting on behalf of employers seeking interim injunctions in the High Court to enforce such restrictions and employees seeking to defend enforcement.Recent experience includes complex advice around employment status including representing the Claimant in the widely reported case of Scott v Chigwell School which was one of the first employment status cases decided based upon the \"Pimlico Plumbers\" employment status guidance.My experience with disciplinary matters includes advising employers and employees on gross misconduct / misconduct issues and performance review processes. I also have detailed experience of advising on Ill health capability dismissals and liaising with occupational health specialists to obtain guidance on return to work programmes.I regularly advise clients on bringing and defending complex Employment Tribunal claims including unfair dismissal, whistleblowing claims, discrimination and claims under TUPE.I have extensive experience of negotiating and advising on complex settlement agreement terms for senior employees including undertaking large settlement agreement programmes for a number of employees with a single employer.My experience also includes drafting, negotiating and advising on contracts of employment, drafting and reviewing staff handbooks and disciplinary and grievance policies. I have a special interest in advising on employment aspects of social media usage including drafting specialist policies for employers and advice regarding associated disciplinary matters.I am regularly invited to speak at events and deliver seminars on aspects of the law to HR professionals and have been invited to appear on live radio programmes to discuss topical employment issues.I studied Law at the University of Reading before completing the Legal Practice Course in London, where I gained a distinction. I joined Turner & Debenhams (now Debenhams Ottaway) in 2007 as a trainee solicitor. I qualified with the firm in 2009, became an Associate in 2015 and was promoted to Senior Associate in 2019.