Winckworth swoops for employment team

Winckworth Sherwood has scooped Dawsons employment head Jo ­Keddie together with a three-lawyer team.

Keddie, who trained at Dawsons and has remained there for 21 years, represents claimants and defendants, with experience of bringing claims in the High Court.

She gained prominence in 2007 in her representation of former Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer insolvency partner Peter Bloxham in an age discrimination claim.

Keddie commented: “I’ll be leaving the firm to join Winckworth Sherwood. I’ve played an integral part in the growth and ongoing success of Dawsons and I helped to build one of the most ­successful, dynamic and established employment departments in London.”

Keddie will join as a quasi-equity partner, a ­profit-sharing arrangement designed for lateral partners prior to switching to full equity status.

Her colleagues Sue Kelly, Ellie Hibberd and Louise Lawrence will also move over, with Kelly joining as a fixed-share partner.

Winckworth managing partner Roger Fitton said: “We took the decision to enhance our employment capacity because we didn’t feel we were tapping into our client base. Jo’s ­involvement will definitely complement [our housebuilder practice], together with our private client and growing family practice.”