

Tom Flanagan Appointed To Advisory Team
Ambitious national law firm Irwin Mitchell has made another high profile appointment to its business advisory team with the announcement that Partner Tom Flanagan is joining the firm as its Head of Employment.
Tom, who has been a Partner at Pinsent Masons since 2003, is the latest ‘heavy hitter’ to join Irwin Mitchell’s London office as it bids to build its reputation as a leading national firm in the corporate market place.
Qualifying in 1979, Tom is experienced in all aspects of employment law, particularly within the financial sector. He has particular expertise in dealing with the application and effects of TUPE in mergers, acquisitions and outsourcing across the public and private sectors. He also specialises in trade unions and employee consultation issues, including the European Works Council Directive.
Tom is a member of the Management Committee of the Employment Lawyers Association, the Law Society Council and its Employment Law Committee and of the CBI’s Employment Law Forum.
Commenting on his move to Irwin Mitchell, Tom Flanagan said: “I’m tremendously excited to be joining such an innovative firm and I am very much looking forward to working with and helping to build on an already strong employment team.
“2011 looks set to be a significant year for employment law with, for example, the abolition of the default retirement age, new rules for flexible working and the implementation of the Agency Workers Regulations.
“The much anticipated consultation on reforming the employment tribunal system has also recently begun, which is sure to have far reaching consequences. ”
Tom will be based at Irwin Mitchell’s London offices in Holborn. His appointment follows the arrival of leading real estate lawyer, Jon Vivian, who joined with six other partners and a team totalling 23 from SJ Berwin late last year, adding to the firm’s growing business/corporate team. Other senior appointments include corporate Partner Paul Firth, Partner David Glover and highly regarded property law strategist Geoffrey Lander.
Niall Baker, Head of Business at Irwin Mitchell, said: “Tom is a very well known figure in employment law and his appointment represents another important piece in the Irwin Mitchell business-to-business jigsaw.
“We will continue to look for the right people who can help us take this business forward so that we can realise our future plans. Growing the firm is of course important, but giving clients high quality legal advice along with value for money so that they themselves can move their businesses forward is our number one priority. Tom is a first rate operator who understands what companies want. He understands our culture and will be a huge asset for the future.”
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(NB. Photo of Tom Flanagan available on request, please email: susan.rostron@irwinmitchell.com)