Guides
The leading independent guides to UK law firms, Chambers UK and The Legal 500, undertake extensive research to ensure that their rankings and editorial comments are fair and objective. Here is what the most recent editions of Chambers UK and The Legal 500 say about the team at Fox & Partners
Partnership
Chambers & Partners says:
Fox & Partners is a respected employment and partnership law boutique that is well known for its focus on contentious partnership matters. The team advises partnerships and individual partners, often on complex and highly sensitive issues such as allegations of sexual harassment, discrimination claims and expulsions. The firm represents traditional professional services partnerships as well as those in the financial services sector, including private equity firms.
A client says:
“They are excellent professionals; they see the wood for the trees and help resolve most difficult issues in an elegant and constructive way.“
One client reports:
“They are highly commercially focused, tenacious negotiators with excellent technical skills. They are highly creative and attentive to fine detail.“
Another client says:
“On a difficult matter, legally and factually, they grasped the issues immediately and navigated them with aplomb.“
This year’s Guide sees the firm maintain its Band 1 ranking, with all four partners ranked individually. Shoshana Bacall maintains her ranking as an Associate to Watch, alongside Shiv Raja who has been recognised as an Associate to Watch for the first time.
Caroline Field is ranked in Band 1, and is well known for her contentious partnership expertise, particularly in cases where there is crossover with employment law and issues of professional negligence.
“Caroline is so impressive and is a standout. She provides rapid turnaround, is very precise and she never loses sight of an argument. “
Catriona Watt has also maintained her Band 1 ranking, and wins praise from sources:
“Catriona is a go-to expert for complicated issues. You can be assured of exceptional care and professionalism when represented by Catriona and her team.“
“Catriona is absolutely our go-to when we need advice on partnership agreements.“
“Catriona gets quickly into the detail and has a strong sense of strategy. She is fiercely loyal to the client and probably feared by employers: an exceptional lawyer.“
She handles a broad range of highly sensitive and contentious partnership matters, including compulsory retirements, partner exits and sexual harassment allegations.
Dean Fuller is ranked in Band 4. He provides partnership advice to clients including traditional partnerships and LLPs. He is noted for his work in the financial services sector.
“Dean was extremely responsive and able to advise on the commercial and legal issues in play on short notice.“
“Dean is strong, experienced and calm. He provides good counsel.“
Ivor Adair maintains his Band 4 this year. He has a strong reputation for handling contentious partnership matters such as partner exits and restrictive covenants. He has notable experience working with partners at international law firms.
“Ivor was excellent and provided considered, strategic advice.“
Shoshana Bacall remains an Associate to Watch. Shoshana supports LLPs, professional partnerships and their individual members on a wide range of contentious matters. Her experience includes investigations into alleged harassment and disciplinary matters.
“Shoshana has immense technical focus, relentlessly turning every stone but ensuring the commercial ends are met. She is a real star with very strong client relationship skills.“
Shiv Raja has been recognised as an Associate to Watch for the first time. Shiv assists clients on contentious partnership matters, with experience advising international law firms and other professional services outfits.
“Shiv is an excellent lawyer. His meticulous attention to detail is unmatched, and his calm demeanour provides great reassurance in complex situations.”
The Legal 500 says:
With a contentious and non-contentious offering, alongside its ‘encyclopaedic knowledge of the law’ and ’razor-sharp analytical skills,’ Fox & Partners‘ partnership practice is noted for its advice on regulatory compliance, partnership transitions, and disputes related to discrimination, misconduct, and exits. The team has a particular focus on contentious mandates, and its experience representing partners and professional service firms in high-value disputes continues to attract new clients to its roster. Catriona Watt co-leads the department alongside Caroline Field and is sought after for her experience assisting with contentious arrivals and departures, team moves, and discrimination claims. Field specialises in disputes concerning rights and entitlements upon exit, performance issues, and post-termination restrictions. Other key contacts in the group include the ’exceptional’ Ivor Adair and Shiv Raja, both of whom advise international legal and accountancy firms, and Ronnie Fox.
The guide quotes clients as saying:
“The team is empathetic, responsive, and technically adept.”
“Exceptional focus on the person and resolution.”
“The team stands out for its tenacity, compassion, commerciality, and drive to resolve. Brilliant team for partnership and LLP disputes. Great tacticians with huge experience in the field.”
“Ivor Adair is one of the best in the field.”
“Catriona Watt is an excellent practitioner at the top of her game, and strategic and targeted in her advice. She is absolutely the lawyer you want in your corner in a tough exit negotiation. Her ability to predict the other side’s moves and counter in advance is exceptional.”
“Catriona Watt is a truly brilliant partnership lawyer alongside Caroline Field.”
High Court Litigation
Chambers & Partners says:
Fox & Partners is a boutique employment law firm offering expert advice to senior executives. The firm has noted expertise in restrictive covenants and boardroom disputes. Its capabilities also extend to whistle-blowing and discrimination claims. The firm is regularly instructed by high-profile individuals from financial and professional services firms and has additional experience with High Court proceedings.
Clients say:
“Fox & Partners are very quick, sharp and professional and yet friendly to deal with.”
“All of Fox & Partners advice was accurate, timely, well structured and well communicated.”
Caroline Field has been ranked in Band 2 in this new practice area for Chambers & Partners and has been ecognised for her work representing employees in employment disputes before the Employment Tribunal and High Court. Restrictive covenants are a notable area of strength, as are whistle-blowing claims. Clients commented:
“Caroline is a highly experienced practitioner in the employment space. She conducts litigation robustly but professionally.”
“Caroline is a joy to work with. She is at the top of her field, both in terms of her legal knowledge and strategically. She was also brilliant with the client: clear, honest and hugely supportive.”
Employment
Chambers & Partners says:
Fox & Partners is a boutique employment law firm offering expert advice to senior executives. The firm has noted expertise in restrictive covenants and boardroom disputes. Its capabilities also extend to whistle-blowing and discrimination claims. The firm is regularly instructed by high-profile individuals from financial and professional services firms and has additional experience with High Court proceedings.
Clients say:
“Fox & Partners are distinguished by having very sophisticated understanding of commercial and financial aspects of engagement contracts and how they can be analysed to one’s advantage.”
Catriona Watt is noted for her astute advice to senior executives. She regularly advises clients on cases involving discrimination, whistleblowing and restrictive covenants. She maintained her Band 2 ranking this year.
“Catriona is an excellent lawyer and I felt in good hands throughout my engagement with her.”
“She is tactically excellent, extremely empathetic to clients, while at the same time realistic.“
“Catriona Watt is outstanding in all areas.”
As head of the litigation practice at Fox & Partners, Caroline Field is recognised for her work representing employees in employment disputes before the Employment Tribunal and High Court. Restrictive covenants are a notable area of strength, as are whistleblowing claims. She maintains her Band 2 ranking.
Ivor Adair maintained his Band 3 ranking this year. He is a partner at Fox & Partners and an experienced litigator who is comfortable before the Employment Tribunal and the High Court. He regularly assists clients with restrictive covenants, exit negotiations and bonus disputes.
“Ivor provided a very comprehensive and professional service and level of support. I was impressed with the diligence and quality of his work.”
“Ivor was extremely thorough and thoughtful.”
Shiv Raja continues to be listed as an Associate to Watch. He has notable experience negotiating exit agreements and other non-contentious matters. His practice also sees him handle employment disputes.
“Shiv was always impressively rapid in his responses and displayed a mastery of a multifaceted case.”
“He was always available and aware.”
Shoshana Bacall has been promoted into the Up-and-Coming category, with clients saying:
“Shoshana provided great guidance and understanding, while looking at outcome and solutions all the time.“
“She brings a fantastic energy, great drive and tenacity, fully aware of legal boundaries, while keeping a very honest relationship.“
The Legal 500 (Senior Executives) says:
Fox & Partners is sought out by senior individuals in professional and financial services due to its in-depth sector-specific knowledge. Complex and sensitive exit disputes remain a core part of the practice, in addition to supporting clients through investigations and disciplinary processes. Experienced litigator Caroline Field focuses her practice on restrictive covenant disputes, but also handles misconduct cases. Ivor Adair is regularly involved in High Court disputes and employment tribunal matters, while Catriona Watt negotiates contentious exits and arrivals at a senior level. Dean Fuller represents a number of clients in the professional and financial services sectors
The Guide quotes clients as saying:
“Fox and Partners came recommended and were particularly strong on understanding my specific circumstances, needs and circumstances. Their approach felt properly tailored to me as an individual and was both highly professional and empathetic. Clear experts in the nuances of employment law with distinct and relevant experience to bring to bear on my individual situation.”“Very knowledgeable and detail orientated. Felt very certain I was in the right hands. Shoshana guided me through the process and was extremely helpful in the initial briefing which was very detailed and set expectations.”“I worked with Shoshana in particular. Shoshana Bacall came with a strong understanding of the employment law landscape, and guided me through a complex negotiation process”“Ivor Gwilliams is a new addition to the Fox team and fits in perfectly. Bringing a wealth of experience from his career, he is knowledgeable, strategic, affable and so easy to work with.”
“Nobody else I know spends as long as Shoshana does ensuring that every angle is anticipated and covered in her client’s cases. She cares so very deeply for her clients and it’s self-evident how much gratitude, respect and love her clients have for her.”
“Caroline Field is a brilliant litigator. Great tactical nous and with the eye to the best possible outcome for the client.”
“Catriona Watt has nerves of steel.”
“Birte Von Horsten is an up and coming associates who I would always want on my team.”
“Shosh Bacall is a real details merchant with excellent legal skills.”