Business

Tughans lawyers prove they are leaders in their field

Tughans employment law specialist and partner Anna Beggan. Photos: Hugh Russell
Tughans employment law specialist and partner Anna Beggan. Photos: Hugh Russell Tughans employment law specialist and partner Anna Beggan. Photos: Hugh Russell

TUGHANS is one of Northern Ireland's largest corporate law firms. Its client-focused specialist teams are at the core of the firm and its lawyers are recognised as leaders in their chosen field.

The employment team, led by Anna Beggan, is one of the largest dedicated employment teams in Northern Ireland and, with more than 60 years' collective experience, it has a reputation for diligence, round-the-clock availability and excellent client service.

The firm, which is sponsoring the ‘Best Place to Work’ category in this year's Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards for the 10th year running, is increasingly busy in this specialised arena, with good employment practices in sharp focus due to the current economic climate.

Anna Beggan, a Band 1 ranked employment lawyer and partner at Tughans, believes it is vital for companies to seek timely advice on managing people and considering practical solutions to employment issues.

"We view our role as one of a key business adviser to employers and HR managers, advising on the wide range of employment issues that arise in the employer/employee relationship," she said.

"Our aim is to assist clients in avoiding issues becoming contentious and protracted by providing not only legally-accurate but also commercially-astute and practical advice at an early stage."

One significant benefit for local employers, Anna says, is the fact the Tughans team can provide employment advice in a number of jurisdictions, including RoI, ensuring a consistency of service across the island of Ireland.

"Every year brings important changes in employment law, with this year introducing the new NI Employment Bill, which covers a range of issues including early conciliation and changes to whistle-blowing legislation, and the National Living Wage which came into effect on the April 1," she added.

"Employers are busy managing the commercial side of their business and understandably cannot be expected to be fully aware of all changes in legislation.

"We see it as our business to keep our clients up-to-date with changes to the law which could impact on their workforce."

Anna and her team advise many of Northern Ireland's employers, from large corporates, institutions and public sector clients, to small, family-run businesses and have built a solid reputation for providing legally accurate, pragmatic and business-led solutions.

The team advises and represents clients appearing before Industrial Tribunals, The Fair Employment Tribunal and in the High Court on a wide range of matters.

The employment team works closely with other areas of the practice including the corporate team, advising in relation to the employment and pensions aspects of mergers and acquisitions, outsourcing and change-over in contractors, including all aspects of TUPE (Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006.

Commenting on the Workplace & Employment Awards sponsorship, Anna said: "We are delighted to be sponsoring the 'Best Place to Work’ category in this the 10th year of the awards.

"Tughans also celebrates a milestone this year of 120 years in business. Having played a key role in the business community for so long, we understand the importance of a good working environment and are delighted to have received the Investors In People accreditation this year, an accreditation we are proud of and worked hard to achieve.

"We also understand the importance of recognising excellence and its effect on staff morale, having recently won ‘Corporate Law Firm of the Year’ and ‘Young Deal Maker of the Year’ at the Deal Maker Awards.

"The Workplace & Employment Awards provide a marvellous showcase to highlight the contribution made by the best of Northern Ireland's employers in creating a positive working environment for their staff and they recognise the excellent companies and people that make up our local business community."

:: The 10th anniversary Irish News Workplace & Employment Awards takes place in Titanic Belfast on Thursday June 16. For entry pack and awards information visit www.irishnews.com/wea16