Owen is a highly skilled and experienced employment lawyer. He is a Partner in the firm’s widely-regarded employment team and advises employers and employees on a wide range of employment law issues.
He has extensive experience of bringing and defending complex and high-value Employment Tribunal claims, and has been involved in several successful and high-profile discrimination and unfair dismissal claims reported widely in the national media.
He also regularly advises well-known and large-scale employers in the private, public, and third sectors on employment law issues as diverse as contractual disputes, disciplinaries and grievances, changing terms and conditions and dismissals. He also advises on restructures, discrimination, drafting contractual documents, TUPE and data protection. Owen also draws on his wealth of experience to advise and assist individuals and senior executives with their employment disputes.
Owen is very experienced at delivering training on employment law and HR, to clients and to wider audiences, and is a regular contributor to the national media, on television and radio, on employment law and HR matters.
A fluent Welsh-speaker, he regularly advises clients through the medium of Welsh and is one of the co-founders of Cyfreithwyr.com, a first-of-its kind Welsh language legal service.
I have worked with Darwin Gray for a number of years and the level of service, professionalism and timely response is second to none. Owen John is an outstanding lawyer at the firm. I would highly recommend Darwin Gray to any business for employment counsel and support.
Becs Beslee, Chief People Officer, Dice FM Ltd
We have worked with Darwin Gray for several years and have always found their services and advice to be first class with a particular mention to go to Owen John and his assistance with the employment issues and queries we have had over the years.
Karen Gale, HR Manager, Stepping Stones Group
For employers
Successfully defending several complex and potentially high-value unfair dismissal and discrimination claims in the Employment Tribunal on behalf of a UK-leading business protection company.
Training all 600 employees of a well-known national organisation on employment law and HR best practice.
Handling and resolving contractual disputes and data protection issues (including subject access requests) on behalf of a leading care sector company.
Advising on a large-scale redundancy exercise, including collective consultation, on behalf of a global ticketing platform company.
Assisting a global radio station with the departures of senior employees, including advising on departure terms.
Providing day-to-day employment law and HR advice to several well-known national organisations on a retained basis.
Advising an international performing arts organisation on multifaceted grievances presented by employees.
Drafting contracts and handbooks for a national media company.
Advising a major national organisation on several internal disciplinary cases involving serious and gross misconduct.
For individuals
Successfully bringing a high-profile discrimination claim against British Airways in the Employment Tribunal, widely reported in the national media.
Advising senior executives leaving the employment of a national newspaper on disputes relating to post-termination restrictions.
Assisting senior international football and rugby players with the termination of their playing contracts.
Handling complex TUPE queries for one of the UK’s leading property support service providers.
Advising and negotiating high-value settlements for individuals leaving senior roles at a major financial institution.
Contracts and policy drafting
Contractual changes
Data protection and GDPR
Disciplinaries and grievances
Discrimination and the Equality Act 2010
Employment Tribunal claims
Post-termination restrictions
Redundancies
Restructures and reorganisations
Trade unions and collective bargaining
Training
TUPE transfers
Experience
Partner, Darwin Gray 2019 – Present
Senior Associate, Darwin Gray 2016 – 2019
Associate, Darwin Gray 2014 – 2016
Solicitor, Darwin Gray 2010 – 2014
Trainee Solicitor, Darwin Gray 2008 – 2010
Education
University of Wales, Aberystwyth
Cardiff Law School
Member of Employment Lawyers Association
Co-chairman of Cwlwm Busnes Caerdydd
Member of Urdd Human Resources Sub-Committee
Former board member of Age Cymru
Former board member of Cardiff YMCA Housing Association
To speak to one of our experts today, please contact us on 02920 829 100 or by using our Contact Us form for a free initial chat to see how we can help.
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