Fiona Powell
Director | Leicester
"I have known Fiona Powell at Freeths for a number of years now and I have always found that she has consistently provided a practical, solutions-focused approach to every matter and has been a great partner to our business. Fiona’s professionalism, clear communication, and understanding of our needs have been invaluable. Fiona’s support has made a real difference, and I couldn’t be happier with the service we’ve received. Highly recommended."
Maria Wills, Senior Manager – HR International, Greene Tweed
Call: 0345 272 5719 Mobile: 0771 119 9852
About Fiona
Fiona is an employment law specialist with 14 years’ experience of providing practical and commercial solutions to HR teams and businesses on all elements of the employment relationship including capability and disciplinary dismissals, grievance investigations, large scale redundancy and restructuring programmes and complex TUPE issues.
Fiona also manages all aspects of Employment Tribunal Litigation (including claims for unfair dismissal, breach of contract, whistleblowing and complex discrimination cases). Fiona conducts all her own advocacy and most recently she successfully defended a 6 day whistleblowing and race discrimination case in the Tribunal.
Fiona regularly provides training sessions to senior management teams on various aspects of employment law to enable businesses to upskill their workforce and manage risk.
Fiona is listed as a Recommended Lawyer and recognised as a Leading Associate in The Legal 500 (2026 edition).
Memberships:
- Employment Lawyers Association
Contact Fiona
Call: 0345 272 5719
Mobile: 0771 119 9852
Notable work & expertise
Recent Work
- Advising and supporting a charity on several restructuring programmes.
- Advising on day-to-day HR and employment issues and providing policy and strategic advice.
- Advising on contentious employment and HR matters involving allegations of discrimination, bullying, harassment and unfair dismissal.
Recent Work
- Providing commercial and practical advice to clients about how they can prepare for recent legislative changes including the Gender Pay Gap reporting obligations and employment related aspects of the General Data Protection Regulations.
- Advising and supporting a number of organisations on redundancy and restructuring programmes, including TUPE issues and collective consultation.
- Drafting employment contracts and employment policies and procedures tailored to specific businesses (of all sizes) and client requirements and updating clients in light of legislative changes.
- Advising on and preparing all aspects of Employment Tribunal litigation for a number of clients and conducting all advocacy.
- Advising on the drafting and enforceability of restrictive covenants and providing practical advice on the implications when an employee has acted in breach.
- Providing focussed training sessions to a number of clients on various aspects of employment law in order to engage a productive workforce and minimise risk.
- Advising on day-to day HR and employment issues, including handling capability and disciplinary issues, changes to employment terms and conditions and termination of employment.
- Reviewing, updating and advising on changes to policies and procedures in light of legislative changes and business specific issues that have arisen.
- Advising on the calculation of holiday pay for employees working overtime following recent cases.
Recent Work
- Providing commercial advice to a large multi-site retailer on day-to-day employment issues including advising on disciplinary and grievance processes and procedures, discrimination and harassment, pregnancy and maternity issues and termination of employment.
- Managing all aspects of employment tribunal litigation, successfully negotiating numerous low commercial settlements and defending claims at the substantive hearing or by securing early strike out.
- Advising on the TUPE implications of store acquisitions.
- Training senior management on recent changes and trends in employment law.
Testimonials
"I have worked with Fiona for the past 4 years and have always had nothing but clear advice and support from Fiona. Fiona is always practical and i...
Client testimonial, Eleanor McGeever, HR Manager, Shoe zone
“Fiona is a true asset to our extended team and has a depth of understanding of our business that enables her to deliver commercial, credible and p...
Client testimonial, Rachel Baldwin, HR Director City Plumbing
“Fiona is a pragmatic and astute employment lawyer, happy to talk through challenges and giving us options as to how we can proceed based on our ri...
Client testimonial, Sarah Brocklebank, HR Director Atlas Hotels Ltd
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