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.
Becs Beslee, Chief People Officer, Dice FM Ltd
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
I have worked with Darwin Gray for a number of years and the level of service, professionalism and timely response is second to none. I would highly recommend Darwin Gray to any business.”
Darwin Gray have provided us with a first-class service for many years now. They really take the time to understand our business and develop relationships which results in advice and support that is contextualised and effective.”
We have worked with Darwin Gray for several years and have always found their services and advice to be first class.”
An extremely professional and sincere firm who make time for your queries and understand the need to break down certain facts and information to ensure everything is understood perfectly. I would highly recommend the firm to anyone looking for any type of legal advice”
PSS has worked with Darwin Gray for many years. We have always received an excellent service. Prompt and professional advice and support.”
Darwin Gray have acted for myself and my company over a number of years and at all times we have been treated with a professional manner yet maintain a common-sense approach at all levels. We couldn’t recommend them more highly.”
We have been clients of Darwin Gray for many years; they’ve always dealt with all of our legal matters with such professionalism. They work around us, even during awkward hours, and we feel confident we can always rely on them.”
Darwin Gray has been acting for Siltbuster for more than ten years. We would have no hesitation in recommending Darwin Gray to other organisations small or large.”
From the very first conversation, I had no doubt that Darwin Gray should be the firm to receive our instructions on this matter. I would have no hesitation in recommending Darwin Gray.”
We regularly instruct Darwin Gray. Their service in dealing with our transactional matters and disputes is always professional, prompt and efficient.”
Darwin Gray guided me through a long and extended process that would have been much more difficult had it not been for their patience and constant support.”
Excellent and efficient service. Great result achieved, highly professional and transparent on pricing. Would recommend.”
Superb legal service provided. Exceeded expectations. They went above and beyond in order to provide the best service possible.”
Very professional and understanding. They were a calming influence in a very troubling situation and they brought it to a very successful conclusion”
We have used Darwin Gray and have been seriously impressed. The personal approach is what Darwin Gray are excelling on and is the reason why we will continue to work with them in the future.”
