Wedlake Bell is hoping to get a share of airline industry work after hiring British Airways (BA) senior employment lawyer Jo Pawley.

Pawley returns to private practice after more than seven years in the role at BA. She was originally seconded from Osborne Clarke.

Wedlake Bell is not one of BA’s panel firms, but Pawley hopes to capitalise on her airline experience.

“This is a really good opportunity to use what I’ve learnt in-house and apply that in private practice,” said Pawley.

Pawley will focus on the non-pensions side of Wedlake Bell’s employment practice. Richard Isham heads the team, which previously had just one other partner, David Israel.

Managing partner Julian Cuppage said: “Jo’s experience advising a large global organisation with a highly unionised workforce will greatly assist in the development of our employment practice.”

Turnover for Wedlake Bell has grown by 7 per cent, climbing to £15.8m from last year’s £14.8m. Profits have yet to be finalised.