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Expertise
Alison specialises in the full range of employment and discrimination law and related contract matters. She also advises and acts in work place related regulatory and professional disciplinary matters. Her experience in complex civil and commercial litigation and cross jurisdiction disputes adds to her skills.
She is recommended as a UK leader in the field in Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession and the Legal 500 and was The Times Lawyer of the Week in May 2005.
She advises and acts for both employers and employees on all types of employment and procedural issues, ranging from contract disputes, dismissals, the full range of discrimination, victimisation, whistleblowing, injunctions, health and safety to advising on policies, internal procedures, restructures, boardroom disputes and governance issues. She is known for handling and winning tough cases and providing creative pragmatic solutions to employment problems.
Her employer clients include Plc’s; private limited companies; UK and international charities and NGO’s; media organisations and publishers; public bodies; local authorities; campaigning organisations; law firms, professional partnerships and barristers chambers.
She acts for the widest range of individuals from senior professionals and executives, Chief Executives of national bodies and Board Directors to low paid workers on equal pay disputes.
She acts for international organisations and companies with cross - jurisdictional employment issues, particularly in India and Africa and cross border within Europe.
She has acted in cases in the Employment Tribunal, the Employment Appeal Tribunal, The High Court, the Court of Appeal and the House of Lords.
The Professional Guides
Alison is recommended as a national leader in the field in both Chambers Guide and the Legal 500. They report feedback from clients and peers:
Chambers:
“ superb lawyer” Alison Downie now heads the Department. She handles tough cases in a “ thorough, responsive, intellectually focused and charming manner”. Downie acted for Peter Lewis in the much publicised case against HSBC, the first City compensation claim for sexual orientation discrimination.” ( 2008)
“ extremely astute and eminently sensible; she knows her stuff inside out and provides clear, thorough advice” (2009)
Legal 500:
“Praised for her intellectual abilities Alison Downie leads the practice……..” Legal 500 ( 2008)
“The well respected Alison Downie….has been representing Peter Lewis in his ground breaking claim against HSBC … and a gay claimant turned down for a Church of England appointment….” (2007)
Alison is regularly quoted in the media and press. Recent work includes appearing on BBC Radio 4 Law In Action and TV current affairs programme Inside Out.
She lectures, trains and speaks at conferences including recently the Lexis Nexis/Butterworths “New Strand Discrimination” Conference November 2008, The Law Society’s Leadership Forum 2008, and The Law Society LMS Human Resources Forum 2008.
Alison initiated with the Law Management Section and chaired The Law Society Women in Law Forum 2008
Recent reported cases
Peter Lewis v HSBC Bank plc
Alison acted for senior banker Peter Lewis against HSBC plc in the high profile first City claim of sexual orientation discrimination.
The Nursing and Midwifery Council and Norma Ndbele (Undercover Angels – Channel 4 award winning Dispatches programme)
Represented the undercover reporter nurse Norma Ndbele in disciplinary proceedings, resulting in the nurse retaining her registration and right to practice
John Reaney v Diocese of Hereford ( Church of England)
Alison acted for gay Christian John Reaney in his landmark successful claim against the Church of England.
Career
Lancaster Girls Grammar School
BA ( Hons) Middlesex University 2.1 Philosophy/History of Art.
Alison qualified as a solicitor in 1986 after training in Chancery Lane.
Alison joined Goodman Derrick LLP in February 2009 from Bindmans LLP where she was Head of Employment and partner. She was formerly a partner and managing partner at another large London law firm.
Alison was The Times Lawyer of the Week in May 2005
The Law Society Law Management Section Executive Committee member ( elected Chair 2006 - 2008)
She was previously a Board Director and Trustee of national legal and drugs charity Release and Board Director of Release Publications Ltd. Chair of Release 1992 to 2002.
Memberships
- Employment Lawyers Association
- The Industrial Law Society
- Association of Women Solicitors
- Amnesty International
- Justice
- The Groucho Club
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adownie@gdlaw.co.uk