Laura Wonnacott

Associate

Biography

Laura is an Associate in the Employment and Immigration team with experience of advising clients on a wide range of employment law and UK immigration matters. Laura qualified in 2016. 

She provides advice and HR support to clients, in both the public and private sector, on all areas of employment law, including complex issues and senior employee exits. Laura has experience of defending employment law claims including claims for unfair dismissal, discrimination and whistleblowing.

Laura also advises on UK immigration matters, including right to work issues,  the sponsorship of migrant workers in the UK and sponsor compliance, sponsor licence applications and visa applications (including family visas).

Laura is known for her practical and results-driven approach to complex situations, as well as her strong negotiation skills. In the immigration sector, as well as advising on business immigration issues, Laura has a particular specialism in complex family visa applications and immigration issues in the Marine sector. 

Relevant experience

  • London Borough Council: Advising the council on all employment law issues including complex disciplinary and grievance procedures involving allegations of discrimination, suspension pending the outcome of a police investigation, National Minimum Wage and holiday pay issues and defending claims for unfair dismissal and discrimination.
  • National care provider: Putting both employment and immigration expertise to use in defending a claim for unlawful discrimination in the context of immigration status.
  • Property agents: Advising on all employment law issues including a redundancy process, dismissals for poor performance and long-term sickness absences.
  • Large restaurant chain: Successfully appealing civil penalties issued for the employment of illegal workers and carrying out an immigration audit and reporting on compliance with Home Office regulations on right to work checks.
  • Start-up UK business: Making an urgent application for a Sponsor Licence to transfer two Italian employees from the Italian entity to the UK on an urgent basis, in order to being work on client contracts in a specialist area of the construction industry. 
  • Private individual: negotiating the exit of a founder from a successful business on favourable terms. 
  • Private vessel owners: securing visas for employees onboard private yachts docked in the UK for a significant period, allowing key employees to be based in the UK whilst the vessels are docked.

Awards and Accreditations

Legal 500 Recommended Lawyer 2024

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