Tiggy Clifford
Partner & Specialist Employment Law Solicitor
Admitted as a Solicitor: September 2002
Tiggy’s expertise is in providing business owners and managers with practical and commercially aware advice to help them deal with tricky employment issues as swiftly and painlessly as possible.
Tiggy also has extensive experience working with directors and executives on issues relating to their own employment circumstances, often involving a negotiated exit from their current work situations to achieve the best possible package for them.
Her clients say that “she is utterly fantastic – professional yet personable, and able to explain difficult concepts quite simply” and that “she has an excellent knowledge of the law but is also able to give a commercial view of the situation” (Chambers UK Guide 2021).
Find out more about Tiggy's interests and what inspired her to become an employment law specialist here.
Emma Whiting
Partner & Specialist Employment Law Solicitor
Admitted as a Solicitor: March 2001
Emma has a wealth of knowledge across the full spectrum of employment law issues, with a particular emphasis on providing strategic employment advice on complex and reputationally significant matters for employers and senior executives.
Emma has successfully defended high profile discrimination and whistleblowing claims for employers , in the Employment Tribunal and Employment Appeal Tribunal. She is also recognised as an accomplished negotiator, securing favourable outcomes for some of the region’s most senior executives.
According to clients, Emma is “amazingly knowledgeable and experienced” “outstanding, proactive and quick to respond” (Chambers UK Guide 2021)
Best known in Team Torque for her vast array of faux sportswear and being the Strictly Come Dancing guru, learn what made Emma decide employment law was for her and much more here.
Emma Cousins
Legal Director & Specialist Employment and Business Immigration Law Solicitor
Admitted as a Solicitor: September 2011
Memberships: Employment Lawyers Association (UK), Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association.
Emma is experienced in providing pragmatic and commercial employment and business immigration advice to employers, executives and employees.
Her knowledge and experience cover a wide range of employment related matters and business immigration matters, including:
Employment: advising employers in unfair dismissal and complex discrimination claims, the negotiation of exit packages and settlement agreements, redundancy situations, disciplinary matters, the drafting of contracts of employment / service agreements and policy documents, and other general HR matters. Emma is also skilled at advising clients in relation to TUPE issues, and the employment aspects of commercial property and corporate matters.
Business Immigration: guiding companies through the process of becoming a licenced sponsor and issuing certificates of sponsorship to migrant workers sponsors, advice and training about the duties of licensed sponsors and the requirements of compliant HR systems, audits of HR systems and ‘key personnel’ practices to ensure compliance, including mock UKVI audits, and advice regarding business visitors and other immigration routes. Emma is also experienced in advising employers about the prevention of illegal working in the UK including in relation to the right to work check regime, the provision of right to work check audits, and lawful dismissals by reason of illegal working.
Clients describe Emma as a "highly recommendable" employment law solicitor who is “the consummate professional” and who "acts thoroughly and efficiently" with "extensive knowledge and understanding".
Discover what inspired Emma to pursue a career in law and why she is known as 'Bob' within the team here.
Rosie Cowling
Associate & Specialist Employment Law Solicitor
Admitted as a solicitor: March 2018
Rosie is an experienced and personable specialist employment law solicitor. Rosie advises on employment matters for both employers and employees, including the negotiation and drafting of Settlement Agreements and handling Employment Tribunal claims. Rosie deals with the preparation of tailored and pragmatic employment contracts, director’s service agreements and staff policies and procedures.
Find out more about Rosie here.
Laura Gillhespy
Associate & Specialist Employment Law Solicitor
Admitted as a Solicitor: September 2020
Laura is an approachable and strategic solicitor, advising organisations and senior executives on all aspects of employment law.
Laura has a wealth of experience in defending complex employment tribunal claims for employer clients. Providing step by step, pragmatic and commercially sensitive advice, Laura makes the tribunal process as pain free as possible for her clients.
Having a special interest in areas of discrimination, Laura is passionate about supporting employers to navigate a more inclusive and diverse workforce, safely and proactively.
Find out more about Laura’s interests and what inspired her to become an employment solicitor here.
Sally Vasey
Associate & Specialist Employment Law Solicitor
Admitted as a solicitor: November 2019
Sally has extensive experience handling high-volume litigated work, with her previous case load made up almost entirely of tribunal matters. She is highly skilled in managing complex discrimination and whistleblowing claims and in negotiating exit packages and settlement agreements that best protect her clients’ interests. Sally also advises on a wide range of general HR matters and is experienced in representing clients in judicial mediation. In addition, she has developed excellent working relationships with trade union representatives and often works collaboratively with them on employee relations issues.
Penny Wellock
Executive Paralegal & Specialist Employment Law Advisor
Called to the Bar: 2022
Penny is a skilled employment law advisor with extensive experience in employment tribunal work. Penny was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 2022 and began her career defending a variety of Employment Tribunal matters for employer clients, ranging from wages claims to complex whistleblowing matters. In addition to carrying out the preparatory work for Tribunal claims, Penny regularly represents clients both in person and remotely at hearings in the Employment Tribunal. Penny is working towards qualification as a Chartered Legal Executive to continue her development as an employment law specialist.
Tori Jackson
Consultant Employment Law Solicitor
Admitted as a Solicitor: September 2010
Tori is a knowledgeable solicitor in both contentious and non-contentious employment matters with experience of working for both larger corporates and SME businesses.
Tori advises employers on grievance and disciplinary matters, employment disputes and Employment Tribunal claims and the termination of employment, including the negotiation and drafting of settlement agreements. Tori also drafts effective employment contracts and service agreements, policies and handbooks for employers.
Her clients say that "she does a fantastic job" is "clear and supportive" and that they "would recommend her".
Find out who inspired Tori to pursue a career in Law and how her role allows for work/life balance here.
Tabitha Graddon
Paralegal
Tabitha works closely with our specialist employment law solicitors to deliver the best possible service to our clients. She assists in preparing for Employment Tribunals, compiling evidence, drafting documentation, and conducting thorough legal research. Her efficiency and keen eye for detail are highly valued by both the team and our clients. Tabitha joined Torque Law as a Legal Practice Assistant while pursuing her legal studies at York St. John University and quickly progressed to Paralegal after completing her Legal Practice Course.
To find out more about Tabitha please click here.
Alison Coates
Legal Practice Assistant
Alison joined Torque Law as a Legal Practice Assistant whilst pursuing her legal studies at York St. John University. Having now completed her Legal Practice Course, Alison will soon undertake a training contract to qualify as a solicitor. Alison works closely with our specialist employment law solicitors to deliver the best possible service to our clients.
Emma Egerton-Jones
Development Lead (Consultant)
Admitted as a Solicitor January 2010 (now non-practising)
Emma works closely with our team to ensure our services continue to exceed client expectations. Having been a specialist employment law solicitor for many years before qualifying as a coach and client experience professional, Emma offers a unique perspective perfectly suited to Torque Law's people-centric culture.
Regularly conducting client listening and insight exercises, Emma ensures we continue to build our firm around our client's wants and needs.
As a consultant, Emma offers the perfect blend of independence, to be objective, and integration to drive our team forwards. Through coaching, Emma is able to support our solicitors to achieve the best possible results, for themselves and their clients, in a way that suits their own unique skill set and work-life balance.
Laura Harvey
Practice Manager
Laura plays a central role in the day-to-day operations of the firm. With a strong focus on efficiency and client satisfaction, Laura is responsible for overseeing the business and administrative functions, managing firm resources, and ensuring smooth workflow across our team.
Susan Burnett
Practice Coordinator
Susan helps the team with day-to-day administration and support. Susan’s background in law provides her with a hugely useful understanding of compliance and client matters.
Find out about Susan's journey north via Cambridge University here.
Alison Hodgson
Finance Manager
Alison handles all of our invoicing, accounts and credit control matters and keeps our books balanced.
