NATALIE SAUNDERS - Natalie studied law at Magdalen College, Oxford and qualified at Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer in September 2000. Having joined one of the top-tier firms in Leeds, she subsequently founded the employment department of a mid-tier firm in Leeds, gaining it Legal 500 recognition for the quality of its work. She joined Berwins in 2008 as Head of Employment, became a Director on Berwins' incorporation in 2009 and is now also Head of the Commercial Team. Natalie can advise not only on the full spectrum of UK employment law issues but also helps her employer clients put their practical obligations into a strategic context by looking at the ways in which their business strategy drives their HR and reward issues. Her areas of expertise also include bonus planning and share option arrangements and transactional issues arising on the sale or purchase of a business. Natalie also advises individuals - focusing in particular on negotiating senior executive exit packages. Natalie is a member of the Employment Lawyers' Association and the Industrial Law Society and sits on the Board of Trustees of Harrogate Theatre. Natalie is currently on maternity leave.

MARIE WALSH - Marie qualified into commercial and employment law in September 2001 after having trained at a niche commercial firm in Leeds. Following qualification Marie spent two years as a lecturer at York College of Law and now continues to work as a visiting lecturer mainly in employment law alongside her private practice commitments. Marie built up an employment department in Wetherby which she headed for 5 years after leaving the College and joined Berwins in January 2010. Marie has a vast amount of experience in advising both Claimants and Respondents in relation to Employment Tribunal litigation, conducting her own advocacy. She is also experienced in negotiating and drafting compromise agreements on behalf of individuals and commercial clients. In addition to contentious work Marie also deals with non-contentious matters such as contracts of employment, redundancy procedure advice and transactional issues. She is also able to provide in house legal training services to commercial clients and in particular their line managers.

CAROLINE ACTON - Caroline qualified in March 2009. She specialises in all aspects of employment law, advising on contentious and non-contentious matters for a broad range of clients and covering all aspects of the employment relationship. She also undertakes corporate and commercial work, handling transactions and (in particular) the drafting and negotiating of shareholders' and partnership agreements. Her cross-unit experience is invaluable in bringing a commercial perspective to her employment work and an understanding of the people aspects of transactions to her corporate advice. After having achieved a First-Class Honours in her Management degree at Leeds University, Caroline went on to study both the Graduate Diploma in Law and the Legal Practice Course at Leeds Metropolitan University; achieving a distinction in both. On the Legal Practice Course, amongst other prizes, Caroline was awarded the renowned Berwins Commercial Law Prize proving she is no ordinary lawyer