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We are a team of more than 500 professionals, with the depth of experience which makes us genuine experts in our fields. Together, gunnercooke’s people have strength across just about every corporate discipline and sector. We provide legal, commercial and strategic advice that delivers real value to the clients we work with, which span from multinational enterprises through to unicorns and non-for-profit organisations. Our breadth of expertise covers some of the most interesting and important emerging disciplines, from ESG and charity law, to blockchain and competition.
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The gunnercooke group has 15 main offices globally including the UK, Scotland, US, Germany and Austria, with further plans for growth in the coming years. These offices enhance the existing in-house capability of our dedicated international teams and dual-qualified experts that cover China and Hong Kong, Spain, France, Italy, Brazil and Portugal. Our team has experience working across 101 different countries, speaking 30 languages and are dual-qualified in 15 jurisdictions. Our expertise means we can offer large teams to carry out complex cross-border matters for major international clients.
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Our story
gunnercooke is the fastest growing corporate law firm in the UK, now making its mark globally. We comprise a rapidly growing number of experts spanning legal and other disciplines. Clients benefit from flexible options on fees to suit their needs, access to a wider network of senior experts throughout the relationship, and legal advice which is complemented by an understanding of the commercial aspects of running a business.
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Partner
Employment Law
Accolades
Expertise
Paul is an employment law specialist, described in the legal directories as ‘excellent’. He has significant experience of advising employers on their employment issues. Paul gets to understand his clients and their business so he can give pragmatic, commercial advice to help them achieve their goals and reduce risk.
Paul also acts for employees and executives and has a proven track record of successfully resolving employment disputes, which are often complex, high value and involve reputational risk.
Paul’s expertise covers all areas of employment law, including senior exits, board disputes, discrimination, strategic advice on reorganisations / restructuring, TUPE, corporate transactions and employment issues connected to corporate insolvency. Paul is an experienced and successful employment litigator, with cases reported in the national press and the law reports.
Clients view Paul as a trusted advisor and value his commitment and clear guidance.
Clients
- Companies — SMEs through to large corporates and PLCs
- Senior employees and company directors
- Entrepreneurs and business owners
- Registered providers of social housing
- Charities
Experience Highlights
- Acting in a high profile discrimination claim in the Employment Tribunal against Network Rail, reported in the national press
- Advising a client in relation to her claims of unfair dismissal and age discrimination against a leading fragrance industry brand
- Part of a team advising on a large scale business closure, involving settlement agreements for over 250 employees
- Advised a corporate group on a large scale restructuring involving collective redundancies and changes to terms and conditions affecting 1,000+ employees. Gave high-level strategic advice to the board and practical guidance and support to the HR team.
- Successfully defended a high profile (national press coverage) unfair dismissal claim against a leading sports association, avoiding significant financial and reputation risk to the client.
- Advised a national charity on at the acquisition of another charity in the context of substantial potential TUPE liabilities. Worked with the board to design strategies to mitigate risk. Out of hundreds of employees, only one brought a claim, which was successfully defended and a costs order was obtained against the Claimant.
- Represented 7 senior City employees/executives in the Employment Tribunal for TUPE related claims, securing damages in excess of £500,000 and an order for the Respondent to pay c £100,000 towards his clients’ costs.
- Provided TUPE advice on the ‘pre-pack’ purchase of a large corporate group in administration, including changes to terms and conditions following the purchase.
- Secondment at a leading national retailer, which provided invaluable insight into the operation of a large business and also of being the recipient of legal services.
Career History
Previous Law Firms
- Brabners LLP
- Judge Sykes Frixou
Education
- College of Law (LPC)
- University of Liverpool (LLB)
Expertise
Back to top
Paul is an employment law specialist, described in the legal directories as ‘excellent’. He has significant experience of advising employers on their employment issues. Paul gets to understand his clients and their business so he can give pragmatic, commercial advice to help them achieve their goals and reduce risk.
Paul also acts for employees and executives and has a proven track record of successfully resolving employment disputes, which are often complex, high value and involve reputational risk.
Paul’s expertise covers all areas of employment law, including senior exits, board disputes, discrimination, strategic advice on reorganisations / restructuring, TUPE, corporate transactions and employment issues connected to corporate insolvency. Paul is an experienced and successful employment litigator, with cases reported in the national press and the law reports.
Clients view Paul as a trusted advisor and value his commitment and clear guidance.
Clients
Back to top
- Companies — SMEs through to large corporates and PLCs
- Senior employees and company directors
- Entrepreneurs and business owners
- Registered providers of social housing
- Charities
Experience Highlights
Back to top
- Acting in a high profile discrimination claim in the Employment Tribunal against Network Rail, reported in the national press
- Advising a client in relation to her claims of unfair dismissal and age discrimination against a leading fragrance industry brand
- Part of a team advising on a large scale business closure, involving settlement agreements for over 250 employees
- Advised a corporate group on a large scale restructuring involving collective redundancies and changes to terms and conditions affecting 1,000+ employees. Gave high-level strategic advice to the board and practical guidance and support to the HR team.
- Successfully defended a high profile (national press coverage) unfair dismissal claim against a leading sports association, avoiding significant financial and reputation risk to the client.
- Advised a national charity on at the acquisition of another charity in the context of substantial potential TUPE liabilities. Worked with the board to design strategies to mitigate risk. Out of hundreds of employees, only one brought a claim, which was successfully defended and a costs order was obtained against the Claimant.
- Represented 7 senior City employees/executives in the Employment Tribunal for TUPE related claims, securing damages in excess of £500,000 and an order for the Respondent to pay c £100,000 towards his clients’ costs.
- Provided TUPE advice on the ‘pre-pack’ purchase of a large corporate group in administration, including changes to terms and conditions following the purchase.
- Secondment at a leading national retailer, which provided invaluable insight into the operation of a large business and also of being the recipient of legal services.
Career History
Back to top
Previous Law Firms
- Brabners LLP
- Judge Sykes Frixou
Education
- College of Law (LPC)
- University of Liverpool (LLB)
Testimonials
"gunnercooke are an industry known legal heavyweight and Paul Ryman is one of the very best."
"Paul Ryman is a standout partner … nothing short of brilliant from the first conversation to the last."
Legal 500
2022"Paul is an employment law specialist, described in the legal directories as “excellent“ and having “a keen intellect with a real eye for detail."
Legal 500
2020"Paul has been a trusted advisor for many years to me and my teams at Synseal and Customade. He is exceptionally customer oriented and has always offered a sensible combination of pragmatic and compliance advice. We can always rely on Paul to steer us on a course of fair and reasonable responses to any employment issue. His integrity is above question."
Kevin Bush
Previous Group HR Director, Synseal Group and Customade Group"Paul is a great Employment Lawyer who I thoroughly enjoy working with. He has supported me with several complex change programs, as well as the everyday situations that you require the services of an Employment Lawyer.
Paul’s significant expertise, experience and importantly style, means that he translates the complex, ensuring that you understand the situation and your options. You really feel that you have a partner with Paul. I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending him, he is excellent at what he does."
Nichola Blenkinsop
People Leader, Hoyer Petrolog UK Ltd"Paul has never failed to provide expert and practical advice in layman’s terms, removing the emotion and focusing on resolutions that cause the least business interruption and damage both in terms of reputation and costs.
On each occasion that I have reached out to Paul for guidance he has responded swiftly, is always accessible, he listens and shows great empathy and understanding and then will focus on a strategy to tackle the problem head on, remove the stress and pressure and will communicate in crystal clear terms."
Sharon Kaye
Business Process / HR Manager, Auger Site Investigations Ltd"Paul was always readily available and was thoughtful and compassionate to the complex situation. He gave good advice and was always realistic with his expectations."
Ms N
Client"Paul was warm, approachable, knowledgeable, and honest. It was obvious from our conversations that he knew my case as well as I did and that he was genuinely invested in getting the best outcome for me whilst also managing my expectations and costs."
Ms F
Client‘legally and commercially minded’
The Legal 500 2024
‘excellent’
The Legal 500 2024
'Thank you again, Paul. As I have always said, you were the one courageous enough to take on Goliath, where all others were running away!'
Ms O
Client