Freeths expands national Employment & Pensions Team with seven new lawyers

Leading national law firm Freeths has continued the significant growth of its market-leading Employment & Pensions team, welcoming seven new lawyers across six of its thirteen offices. This expansion reflects increasing client demand and the team’s reputation for delivering pragmatic, commercially focused advice across the full spectrum of workplace issues.

Led by Partner & National Head of Employment, Pensions & Immigration, Rena Magdani, the team continues to go from strength to strength, achieving an impressive 50% growth in turnover over the past four years. The latest appointments come as UK employers prepare for the most extensive reforms to employment law in a generation, following the introduction of the Employment Rights Act 2025, which brings sweeping changes to unfair dismissal, family-related leave, trade union law, zero-hours arrangements, fire-and-rehire practices, workplace harassment, flexible working and statutory enforcement.

The team has welcomed Melanie Stancliffe (Employment Partner, London), James Dean (Pensions Partner, Bristol), Russell Dann (Managing Associate, Oxford), Alex Blackhall (Associate, Leicester), Erin Garnham (Associate, Leeds), Rachel McLintock (Associate, Manchester) and Arif Rahman (Associate, Leicester).

Looking ahead, Freeths remains focused on strengthening its national capability. As part of the firm’s growth strategy, plans are underway to further expand the Employment, Pensions and Immigration practice across all 13 offices, ensuring the team continues to meet rising client demand with exceptional expertise and coverage.

Commenting on the expansion, Partner and National Head of Employment, Pensions and Immigration Rena Magdani said: "I am delighted to welcome our seven new lawyers to the Team. This expansion reflects the unprecedented growth and demand for our services as employers grapple with a changing legislative landscape. Our continued investment in high calibre employment and pensions expertise ensures clients receive first-class, strategic, commercial advice across our national office network."

James Dean added: "Freeths is a firm that is going places and I’m already proud to be a part of it. It punches well above its weight and has sustainable, consistent growth built into its DNA. With an unwavering commitment to its people and a strong presence across key markets, I can’t think of a better place to be building a successful pensions practice."

Melanie Stancliffe commented: "I am thrilled to have joined Freeths. Known for the Post Office litigation, I’ve seen the firm win awards, publish a Corporate Conscience report and provide clients with a Horizon Scanner so they can plan ahead. It’s a truly collaborative place with excellent lawyers working to achieve the best outcomes for clients. It’s a growing firm which I cannot rate highly enough."

Russell Dan said: "I’m really happy to have joined Freeths, which has an excellent reputation in employment law and across the full range of services the firm offers. The firm is both well established and growing at an impressive rate, and I’ve been made to feel very welcome. I’m already working with highly astute lawyers, supported by exceptional internal networks, and I look forward to contributing to the continued success of the team."

In tandem with this growth, Freeths will shortly be publishing the results of its 2026 Employment Survey. The Survey provides important insights into the changing world of work, examining key topics such as diversity and inclusion, workplace sexual harassment, performance management, HR technologies and AI, flexible working and whistleblowing.