CLR Law
Specialized Legal Services
Baltic Business Quarter, Gateshead, NE8 3DF, Baltimore House, NE8 3DF
Gateshead
Employees
Claire Rolston Claire Rolston
Principal SolicitorClaire Rolston is one of our resident employment experts, having practised employment law almost exclusively since she qualified in 2001. After leaving her native North East to study Law and German at Liverpool University, Claire finally returned “home” in 2012, bringing with her the law firm she had set up whilst living and working in Leeds. Claire’s calm approach brings a confident reassurance for clients and she divides her time between advising employees and employers, which gives her a more rounded view of the employment relationship and helps resolve disputes when they arise. Claire has been described by one of her HR clients as a “straight-talking expert who can make the complex understandable”. She also enjoys training HR professionals and management on issues that might expose companies to an employment tribunal claim. Being a litigator at heart, she especially enjoys dealing with tribunal claims and has enjoyed particular success in claims brought on behalf of town and parish clerks. Claire has recently undertaken training to become a Civil, Commercial and Workplace Mediator and is working towards accreditation with the Civil Mediation Council. Claire plays an active role in the Employment Lawyers’ Association where she is the representative for the North East region. Claire has two daughters who keep her very busy, mostly on the football field, where she is an FA Level 1 qualified football coach for a girls’ football team. If she can find any spare time, she tries to fit in a game of golf or two. She enjoys skiing and tries to visit the Aosta Valley in Italy whenever she can.
David Lant David Lant
Consultant Solicitor-AdvocateDavid qualified as Solicitor in 2006 working for Blake-Turner & Co, a boutique commercial firm in the City of London. He returned to his roots in the north east in 2008 to work for Muckle and then Sintons, where he spent 2 and 4 years respectively. In 2014, David relocated to Dubai and was employed by two prominent firms in the region. During this time he won a prestigious award from the Courts of the International Financial Centre for his commitment to pro bono work. David has been with CLR Law since 2019, including as Partner. He later decided to transition to a consultant role enabling him to work from his home office in rural Northumberland. David has vast experience as a litigator involving an array of cases including director/shareholder disputes, unfair prejudice petitions, insurance claims, construction disputes and professional negligence to name a few. He is adept at making urgent court applications and is well known for his tenacity. David also accepts instructions in corporate and commercial matters including shareholders’ agreements, share sales, asset purchases, contract reviews/advice etc.
Sara Devennie Sara Sara Devennie
Senior SolicitorSara is a senior employment lawyer and has advised exclusively on employment law for almost 25 years. She is originally from the north west, but obtained her training contract at Dickinson Dees (now Womble Bond Dickinson) and remained in the north east once she qualified. She has developed strong local connections and is a well-recognised solicitor in the north east. Sara regularly advises and represents both claimants and respondents in Employment Tribunal claims, providing balanced and practical advice to all clients, and achieving successful outcomes and productive settlements. She is also regularly involved in advising clients in relation to non-contentious matters, including settlement agreements, discrimination issues, redundancy, unfair dismissal, maternity and paternity rights, flexible working, restrictive covenants, disciplinary and grievance procedures, holiday issues, contracts of employment, and policies and procedures. Her practical and straight-talking advice assists clients in achieving their aims. Sara enjoys delivering topical and engaging training sessions and seminars on all aspects of employment law, and has taken part in Panel events. Sara is also a Civil, Commercial and Workplace Mediator. This complements her work as an Employment Solicitor and enables her to identify when a case may be more suitable for mediation rather than litigation. Sara has a prominent role in the Women Lawyers Division of the North East Law Society and over the years has contributed to local radio and TV reports. She is also a member of the National Law Society, Employment Lawyers Association, Employment Tribunal Users Group and Newcastle law Society. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, going to the gym, swimming, running and hill walking. She is also Level 1 Triathlon coach and keen to develop this.
Anna Ramsden Anna Ramsden
Associate SolicitorAnna is an Associate Solicitor who first joined CLR Law as a paralegal in 2021 whilst completing her studies at Northumbria University. Anna has had a vast amount of experience so far, from dealing with her own case load of employment tribunal claims, advising HR clients, drafting contracts and policies and contributing to business management and development. Anna has also worked on commercial drafting and litigation matters, and notably assisted in the completion of a large company buyout. Anna works under the supervision of both Claire and David to gain insight into different aspects of the law, and she has received lots of positive feedback from clients. Anna has a keen interest in employment law and through working at CLR Law she has gained a clear understanding of how advice is tailored and provided to clients based on the law she has learnt at university. In her spare time, Anna enjoys running with friends and family (followed by a pastry from a local bakery!), particularly at her family home in the North York Moors. She also shares her father’s interest in Formula 1 and has been visiting Germany’s Nürburgring circuit regularly from a young age.
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