ASB lures Brachers' employment team

The team, consisting of partner Madeleine Thomson and associates Krishna Santra and Paul Whitfield, doubles the size of ASB's employment practice in Maidstone and leaves Brachers with two employment partners and four associates in London.

However, in response to the departures, Brachers last week transferred its head of employment Alan Hannah to the Maidstone office. Thomson joined the ASB team last week, with Santra and Whitfield to follow in the New Year.

"We're recruiting to replace those going," confirmed Brachers partner and head of litigation John Sheath, adding that the firm also had a number of trainees coming through in the area.

ASB chief executive Christopher Honeyman Brown said that employment would continue to be a growth area for the firm, describing the appointments as "another successful step in our strategy."

"The need for specialist employment continues to grow, with many employers currently focusing on how to avoid the risk of workplace disputes," added ASB's head of employment Rebecca Thornely-Gibson.

Clients of the team include the Department of Trade and Industry, holiday company First Choice, insurer Direct Line and the Marley Group.