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. Fox & Partners represents traditional professional services partnerships as well as those in the financial services sector, including private equity firms.
A client says:
“Fox & Partners have excellent knowledge and understanding of the key issues.”
One client reports:
“Fox & Partners quickly identify areas of material risk and are able to offer advice as to best practice.”
Another client says:
“It is a complete joy to work with the team. They are very detailed, well organised and add a great deal of value.”
This year’s Guide sees the firm maintain its Band 1 ranking, with all four partners ranked individually, together with Shoshana Bacall also maintaining her ranking as an Associate to Watch.
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 tactically very astute and manages to be very straight-speaking and yet also a great team player who is excellent with clients. She is someone to have on your side.”
“Caroline is academically very brilliant while also being sensitive and commercial with it.”
“I am very impressed with Caroline – she is reassuring yet very focused on the job.”
“She is very incisive and has a knack of seeing issues that cut right to heart of the dispute, as well as being sensitive to the subtle knock-on implications which can arise.”
Catriona Watt has also maintained her Band 1 ranking, and wins praise from sources:
“Catriona is highly intelligent and tactically astute. She is a great team player who provides a very polished service to her clients.”
“Catriona is impressive.”
“She is excellent – I highly recommend Catriona.”
She handles a broad range of highly sensitive and contentious partnership matters, including compulsory retirements, partner exits and sexual harassment allegations.
Dean Fuller remains in Band 3 this year. He primarily provides non-contentious partnership advice to clients including traditional partnerships and LLPs. He is noted for his work for firms in the financial services sector.
“Dean offers practical and pragmatic solutions to the areas of risk.”
“Dean’s steady, consistent advice has been a great source of comfort – he’s definitely someone you want on your side when you’re in a tight spot.”
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 is amazing at what he does, combining a fascination with the law with pragmatism.”
“Ivor knows his stuff and is very strategic.”
“He is knowledgeable and thoughtful.”
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 understood my needs and priorities well. She focused the work and advice accordingly, offering practical solutions in key areas.”
“Shoshana has great attention to detail and her advice is comprehensive.”
“She has encyclopaedic knowledge of partnership law and a knack for identifying and distilling the key issues of a case.”
The Legal 500 says:
Recognised as a ‘superb firm who are really at the top of the partnership game,’ Fox & Partners has a broad partnership offering which covers both contentious and non-contentious matters. While the group focuses on dispute resolution, it is capable of handling exits and retirements, discrimination and harassment, and whistleblowing allegations, as well as lounge clauses, investigations, and disciplinary issues. With a growing client base, the team is predominantly instructed by businesses from the professional services and financial services sectors. Co-heading the department are partnership specialist Catriona Watt and litigation expert Caroline Field. Watt is sought after for her expertise in departures and arrivals, partner rights and entitlements, and fiduciary duty matters, while Field is noted for her aptitude in leading on disputes regarding rights and entitlements on exit, misconduct, and remuneration. The practice also benefits from the proficiency of Dean Fuller who concentrates on contentious and advisory matters such as disputes, partner moves, and cross-border matters. Ivor Adair stands out for his experience advising hedge fund and law firm partners on contentious exits and LLPs. His position in the Legislative and Policy Committee of the Employment Lawyers Association makes him an asset to the team. Other notable names in the department include Shoshana Bacall and Shiv Raja, both of whom are adept in advising on conduct and harassment investigations, as well as vastly experienced firm founder Ronnie Fox.
The guide quotes clients as saying:
‘Excellent at all areas of partnership and employment law. Good strength in depth at all levels, with the partners being leaders in the field. Can be trusted with the most sensitive of instructions, and will handle these delicately.’
‘Caroline Field provides commercial advice with a human touch. She is highly responsive and dedicated to her client’s interests.’
‘Catriona Watt is very knowledgeable and leads a great team with excellent insights and support for clients. Strongly recommend her. Shiv Raja is a very good associate.’
‘An extremely experienced, specialist team of highly capable, intellectual and personable lawyers who bring a true sense of analytical rigour to any complex legal problem or case.’
‘Caroline Field is exceptionally bright and disarmingly personable. This makes for a highly effective combination in litigation that revolves around the actions of individuals.’
‘Fox is a superb firm who are really at the top of the partnership game. A real delight to work with a group of driven and client focused individuals keen to deliver 110%.’
‘Dean Fuller is technically superb and extremely knowledgeable.’
‘They are supported by superb associates, including the brilliant Shiv Raja and knowledgeable Clare Plumb.’
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.
Clients say:
“Fox & Partners think outside of the box and are adept at responding to complex situations. The team are extremely knowledgeable and passionate about what they do.”
“They are technically strong, commercially astute and clear with communication. The team are friendly, calm and reassuring as well as being able to see around corners.”
Another adds:
“Fox & Partners is a small but perfectly formed boutique with an amazing range of knowledge.”
Catriona Watt is noted for her astute advice to senior executives. She regularly advises clients on cases involving discrimination, whistleblowing and restrictive covenants. She was promoted to Band 2 this year.
“Catriona is very strategic in her approach, listening carefully to understand my position and help me articulate my objectives.”
“She is clearly very experienced but is also confident knowing when to push boundaries and when to stop or change direction, which leads to very positive outcomes.”
“Catriona is just fantastic, giving clients such reassurances. She can take charge and make sense of very complicated situations.”
“She is a brilliant lawyer and an outstanding client service partner. Catriona is commercially astute, calm under pressure and can see around corners. She is a credit to her firm and profession.”
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 is ranked in Band 3.
“Caroline Field is an employee’s best friend and an employer’s nightmare. She gets the results employees can only dream about.”
“Caroline really considers all angles on legal issues and arguments. She is wonderfully bright and a pleasure to work with.”
“She is amazing with me as well as negotiating with opposing counsel with substantial skill. Her advice and engagement is invaluable.”
“Caroline is pragmatic, supportive and knowledgeable in all interactions. She makes herself available when needed and makes me feel understood and supported at all times.”
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 has strong client management skills, actively moving things forward and making sure everything and everybody is on board and in line.”
“He has a very calm and considered approach to analysing the situation and building a picture of the best solution.”
“Ivor has a phenomenal mind with regard to employment. He is great at sense-checking to ensure the best foot is being put forward.”
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 is super capable and effective. He is very thoughtful and thinks everything through.”
“I find Shiv empathetic and very responsive in situations which are highly challenging.”
“Shiv not only lays everything out for me to understand but is available on multiple occasions. He provides excellent advice and is very considerate of my concerns.”
The Legal 500 (Employers and Senior Executives) says:
Distinguished by its ‘tactical and strategic brilliance, Fox & Partners is regularly instructed to handle discrimination, harassment and whistleblowing allegations, as well as regulatory complaints. Caroline Field is often engaged to represent senior executives in disputes related to rights and entitlements, as well as misconduct allegations; she jointly leads the practice alongside Ivor Adair, whose client base stems from the financial services, technology, insurance and media sectors. Catriona Watt is noted for her proficiency in senior-level contentious departures and arrivals. Dean Fuller is well versed in cases involving industry-specific issues, such as regulatory references, non-financial misconduct concerns and corporate governance constraints.
The Guide quotes clients as saying:
‘The team at Fox manages to get excellent ultimate results for the client through tactical and strategic brilliance, keeping steps ahead of the opposition and sheer doggedness.’
‘I highly rate Catriona Watt and Caroline Field, who are top-class practitioners.’
‘Catriona Watt is intelligent and tenacious and knows her space well. Caroline Field is a quality High Court practitioner who is a pleasure to deal with and also knows her space.’
‘Catriona Watt is cool, calm, collected and classy. You definitely want her fighting in your corner. Caroline Field is tenacious, calm and assiduous. I would instruct her in a heartbeat.’
‘This is an excellent specialist team of employment lawyers who are able to provide high-level advice on complex scenarios relating to the legal sector.’
‘The individuals stand out in particular because of their humanity and their ability to deal with sensitive and confidential information in complex disputes. Dealing with other lawyers requires very distinct skills which this firm has.’
‘A great team. I dealt with Catriona Watt and Shoshana Bacall mostly. They were outstanding – specifically, they were intelligent and quick to grasp complex issues, empathetic, responsive, kind and appropriately rigorous. The billing was transparent and appropriate. Also of note was Catriona and Shoshana’s ability to pass my case between themselves without any errors or miscommunications.’
‘Ivor Adair is clearly a consummate professional and he interrupted his holiday to accommodate a call given the timing of my requirements.’