Nelsons has appointed experienced employment law expert, Rachel Hatton, as a Partner within our Derby office.
With more than two decades of specialist employment and HR experience, Rachel has advised local and national businesses on all aspects of employment law, providing pragmatic and commercial advice. This includes advice on day-to-day HR queries, including disciplinary and grievance matters, redundancies, TUPE processes, and senior executive exits.
She also has significant experience undertaking independent disciplinary and/or grievance investigations for clients, providing employment advice and assistance to companies in the sale and purchase of businesses, and representing clients in contentious employment disputes that result in employment tribunal litigation.
Rachel trained as a solicitor at Rothera Bray, before joining Geldards in 2001, working at the firm for 15 years before working as a consultant. Rachel moved to Fraser Brown in 2019 before the Knights’ acquisition, becoming a partner in 2023.
Speaking about her new role, Rachel said:
“Nelsons is a name synonymous with quality legal services in the region, and I’m thrilled to be joining the well-established employment team.
“This move feels like a return to my roots, allowing me to focus on supporting the local business community within the East Midlands. I’m particularly excited about the opportunity to build a strong employment law presence for Nelsons in Derby, working collaboratively with the existing team and bringing in new clients.
“Employment law is fundamentally about understanding people and their business needs, allowing us to provide truly tailored and effective advice. I’m also keen to help teams navigate the evolving employment law landscape, particularly in light of recent government changes.”
Her legal career has equipped Rachel with a deep understanding of the local and regional business landscape, alongside the employment law challenges faced by SMEs and larger organisations alike.
Laura Kearsley, head of our Employment team, added:
“We are proud to welcome Rachel to Nelsons; her extensive experience and deep understanding of the East Midlands market will be invaluable as we continue to grow our employment team and strengthen our presence across the region. Rachel’s commitment to building strong client relationships and her broad expertise will be a significant asset, particularly as we look to establish a strong foothold in Derby. Her arrival will undoubtedly enhance our ability to meet the evolving needs of our clients and further solidify our position as a leading employment law firm.”