News release:  5 January 2009

Goodman Derrick LLP starts 2009 with the arrival of a new partner, Alison Downie

Acknowledged employment specialist Alison Downie has joined the firm from Bindmans, where she was previously Head of Department.

Alison specialises in the full range of employment law, advising and representing employers and employees on all types of employment and procedural issues. Her clients include Plc’s, charities, media organisations and publishers, co-operatives, voluntary and community organisations, professional partnerships, and barristers’ chambers.

Her experience ranges from taking cases from the employment tribunal, to the courts, and right up to the House of Lords. Alison’s recent reported case cases include acting for senior banker Peter Lewis in the groundbreaking and first City claim for gay discrimination against HSBC Bank plc; representing John Reaney who won the first gay discrimination case against the Church of England; currently she acts for undercover journalist and nurse Norma Ndbele from the award winning Channel 4 Dispatches programme “Undercover Angels” in regulatory proceedings before the Nursing and Midwifery Council arising out of the undercover filming in hospitals.

Tim Langton, Head of Goodman Derrick's dispute resolution team said: "We see great potential for Alison at Goodman Derrick.  Not only does she possess a wealth of experience but she has an impressive track record in assisting prominent clients.  Alison Downie is very highly regarded in the industry and I know our employment team are looking forward to working with her.”