THAMES VALLEY: Law firm, Gardner Leader, appoints new Head of Employment

29th January 2024; Thames Valley: Leading regional law firm, Gardner Leader, has appointed specialist employment solicitor and senior associate, Vicky Schollar, as its new Head of Employment, bringing with her over 20 years of experience.

Vicky’s appointment is the latest in a series of prominent hires that the firm has made over the past 12 months, including Harry Stewart-Moore, Partner in the Dispute Resolution team, and Sally Addis, Partner in the Corporate and Commercial teams, as it continues its path of sustainable growth while cementing its position as one of the leading law firms in the region.

Having exclusively practiced as an employment solicitor since qualifying in 2004, before joining Gardner Leader, Vicky held positions at Blandy and Blandy and Blake Morgan LLP, where she spent over 15 years. Vicky has established a reputation for her pragmatic advice and guidance and has a wealth of experience in advising clients across a wide variety of sectors, with particular experience in working with SMEs, as well as education providers and charities, on all aspects of UK employment law and HR matters.

Vicky’s expertise includes advising on business restructures, the enforceability of restrictive covenants, data protection issues, drafting contracts of employment (including Director's Service Agreements) and consultancy agreements, as well as assisting clients with managing day to day issues such as sickness absence and complex disciplinaries and grievances. Vicky also has extensive experience in negotiating settlement agreements and defending Employment Tribunal proceedings (including at appeal level) covering unfair dismissal, discrimination, whistleblowing, and unlawful deductions from wages.

As well as providing employment law advice, Vicky also advises education clients in defending disability discrimination claims in the SEND First Tier Tribunal.

On joining Gardner Leader, Vicky said: “I’m thrilled to have joined Gardner Leader at a truly exciting time in their long history. The firm’s reputation in the region and its deep roots in the communities it serves, along with the opportunity to lead and grow Gardner Leader’s employment team, was too good an opportunity for me to miss.”

“As Gardner Leader’s new Head of Employment, I’m looking forward to introducing myself to our existing clients, as well as working with the team to showcase our expertise and experience further afield.”

Gardner Leader has been at the heart of the Berkshire community for over 125 years, with offices in Newbury, Thatcham and Maidenhead. It has gone on to triple in size over the last 10 years, expanding across the South of England, with offices in London, Windsor, Swindon and Oxford. Its highly experienced team of legal professionals work across nine specialist teams each dedicated to providing specific services to businesses and to individuals.

Derek Rodgers, Managing Partner at Gardner Leader, said: “Having someone of Vicky’s experience and knowledge join Gardner Leader is hugely invaluable. She brings with her a wealth of expertise in some complex areas of employment law, including the work she has undertaken in the charity and education sectors, as well as her vast experience of advising on cases that go to tribunal.”

“Our aim is to bring together the best legal talent in the region, helping us to provide the best legal support, advice and deliver on our commitment to providing our clients peace of mind.”

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Editors notes

With offices in Newbury, Thatcham, Maidenhead, Windsor, Swindon, Oxford and London, Gardner Leader is a leading law firm in the Thames Valley and South East, offering a wide range of legal services for businesses and individuals.

In the Legal 500 prestigious guide for 2022 the firm was described as ‘shining above all with their approachable and friendly way of doing things’, with Partner Niamh Minihane named as a “Next Generation Partner”, and Katie Dyson, Partner, singled out as a “Rising Star.”

In 2018 the firm won ‘Best in Business’ and ‘Best in Customer Service’ awards in the Newbury Weekly News award, and in 2016 it also won the LawNet award for Law Firm of the Year, and the Halsbury Legal Award in Business Development. Other awards include the LawNet Excellence in Employee Engagement award (2015), Highly Commended in the Regional Conveyancing Firm of the Year category in the 2015 National Conveyancing Awards and Commended.

The firm was first founded in 1895. It has over 160 staff. Its team of highly experienced and friendly solicitors are all specialist, specifically dedicated to their areas of expertise. Each team is driven by what matters to the client and committed to delivering results.