People

Karen Bates

Partner & Chair


Career & Experience

Karen is a member of the Firm’s Management Board and is responsible for the leadership of a team of over 45 lawyers within the Firm’s commercial and employment teams.

Karen has been particularly involved in developing the firm’s employment, pensions and business immigration team as a team of advisory specialists within the business group. Karen’s approach is to think about the bigger picture and advise clients on the best way to achieve their goals. Her main experience lies in complex people strategy and HR risk management as well as bespoke advice on the full range of people issues arising in business. This ranges from large scale restructuring and redundancy, TUPE, transactions and workforce integration and high value employment litigation. Karen also often advises clients’ boards on a broad spectrum of business issues.

Outside work, Karen is a school governor and enjoys spending time singing in a community choir, walking on the beach or simply catching up on her avid interest in politics and current affairs.

Accolades

  • Foot Anstey Board member
  • Member of Employment Lawyers Association
  • Employment & Commercial team leader
  • Foot Anstey Diversity & Inclusion strategic lead
People

Karen Bates

Partner & Chair


Career & Experience

Karen is a member of the Firm’s Management Board and is responsible for the leadership of a team of over 45 lawyers within the Firm’s commercial and employment teams.

Karen has been particularly involved in developing the firm’s employment, pensions and business immigration team as a team of advisory specialists within the business group. Karen’s approach is to think about the bigger picture and advise clients on the best way to achieve their goals. Her main experience lies in complex people strategy and HR risk management as well as bespoke advice on the full range of people issues arising in business. This ranges from large scale restructuring and redundancy, TUPE, transactions and workforce integration and high value employment litigation. Karen also often advises clients’ boards on a broad spectrum of business issues.

Outside work, Karen is a school governor and enjoys spending time singing in a community choir, walking on the beach or simply catching up on her avid interest in politics and current affairs.

Accolades

  • Foot Anstey Board member
  • Member of Employment Lawyers Association
  • Employment & Commercial team leader
  • Foot Anstey Diversity & Inclusion strategic lead

Related Sectors

Testimonials

Don't just take our word for it

“Karen has excellent judgement. Her knowledge on employment matters is very strong.”

Chambers & Partners UK 2024

“I consider Karen as an extension of my team. She always comes up with a plan or considerations that really make a difference to the issues at play and cuts through the noise.”

Chambers & Partners UK 2024

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