Member Article

Further expansion for Simpson Millar’s national employment law team

Leading consumer law firm Simpson Millar has announced the expansion of its national Private Client division with the appointment of employment law solicitor Balal Qaiser to its Leeds office.

Bringing more than five years’ experience to the role, Balal boasts a wealth of expertise in a range of Employment case types relating to issues such as, unfair dismissal, breach of employment contract, settlement agreements and discrimination in the workplace.

He is known for his empathetic yet pragmatic approach when dealing with complex employment law matters, and for providing support during early conciliation proceedings.

Joining Simpson Millar with immediate effect, Balal’s appointment comes in response to growing demand from employees in need of employment law advice following certain sectors of the economy contracting, but also for employees who need help adapting to new ways of working post pandemic.

Simpson Millar continues to be at the forefront of representing thousands of people bringing protective award claims further to the collapse of businesses because of the pandemic.

Having previously worked for both Slater and Gordon and Minster Law, and having specialised in serious injury and industrial disease claims before transitioning into employment law, Balal says he is now looking forward to working alongside the wider Simpson Millar team which has a ‘formidable reputation’ for defending the legal rights of consumers.

He is the second notable employment law hire for Simpson Millar in recent weeks, with the firm also welcoming Manchester-based Anita North to the team in August.

He is welcomed to the firm by the Director of Private Practice, Chris Johnson, who said his arrival further complements the firm’s ability to deliver an unrivalled service to clients in need of private client services such as Residential Conveyancing, Family disputes as well as Wills, Trusts and Probate.

Commenting on his new role Balal said: “Employment-related issues are particularly prevalent at the moment, with staff facing additional uncertainty as a result of the pandemic. The changes in the way in which business in all sectors are adapting to life post pandemic, is having a dramatic effect on all employees on issues such as where, when, and even how they work moving forward.

“What cannot be underestimated however is that some of these changes will have a negative effect.

“As a result, many people are looking for legal representation to help ensure that their concerns are heard and managed in the correct way, or to recover compensation, or lost wages, in cases where they have been discriminated against or unfairly dismissed.

“Simpson Millar’s national offering means that the firm is ideally placed to help people irrespective of where they are based, and the impressive range of expertise across the employment law team means they are well equipped to advise on any matter.

“I am very much looking forward to helping to raise the profile of the team, and the wider private practice department in the months ahead.”

Chris Johnson added: “It is a real honour to welcome Balal to the team. His broad spectrum of training outside of the Employment sector, dealing with Clients who have suffered life changing injuries and illness, really does enable him to support clients going through significant moments of truth in their working lives.

“Balal’s dedication and commitment to delivering the best possible outcome on behalf of his clients is very much reflected in the values of Simpson Millar and I am confident his arrival will further complement our existing network of highly experienced and dedicated employment law experts.”

Simpson Millar is fast-establishing itself as the ‘go-to’ consumer law firm of choice across the country.

The firm employs more than 500 people who perform across several departments in support of clients, including those going through a separation or divorce, people looking to purchase a new home, and those who have become ill or injured because of their work or while serving in the Armed Forces.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ashlea McConnell .