People

Jesper Christensen

Partner

Jesper is a highly experienced employment lawyer with a wealth of practical management and HR experience. He is committed to delivering high quality and pragmatic advice to his clients. Jesper always supports his clients by finding commercial and pragmatic solutions to workplace issues and, wherever possible, resolving HR disputes. He achieves the best deal and protection when acting for individual clients.

What we say about Jesper

Jesper trained at Bircham & Co and qualified as a solicitor in 1998. Since qualification, his legal practice has covered all aspects of employment law and related practice areas. Prior to joining McCarthy Denning, Jesper spent his career as a solicitor and, for 18 years as a partner, at BDB Pitmans LLP, a top 100 UK law firm. This included six years as a member of the firm’s management board and four years as its managing partner.

Jesper has acted for most types of organisation over the years and he is very experienced with all aspects of non-contentious and contentious employment law and practice. His legal practice has three main areas of focus. These are as follows:

i. Companies

Acting for small and medium sized commercial UK based private sector companies, with particular expertise in advising UK subsidiaries of international businesses trading in the UK (which are generally based in the EU, United States or Canada).

Jesper’s advice covers all aspects of employment law when setting up in business in the UK, such as general workforce planning, recruitment, employment contracts and work place policy documentation (including all aspects of statutory employment rights). He provides on-going legal and HR advice dealing with internal disciplinary and capability issues, including potential dismissals, employee grievances and grievance investigations, whistle-blowing issues and all types of discrimination claims. He advises on redundancy consultations, business re-organisations, TUPE transfers and out-sourcing arrangements.

In his previous role as managing partner, from a business perspective and on a practical level, Jesper dealt with a vast range of HR and partnership issues. This expertise is reflected in his advice, which always aims to be practical and focused on solutions and positive outcomes for his clients.

Jesper maintains a comprehensive network of contacts within legal firms in a range of jurisdictions. This enables him to supports clients in obtaining legal advice internationally from trusted lawyers who are known to him personally.

ii. Charities

Acting for charities and not-for-profit organisations including particular expertise with educational institutions, universities and schools, housing associations, medical related charities, social impact organisations of all kinds, religious and membership organisations, and animal charities.

Jesper advises such organisations on the range of employment issues detailed above, but given his broad experience, he takes particular account of the nature of the additional regulatory framework of these organisations in his legal support. He also remains cognisant of the reputational risks involved in dealing with employment claims and settlements for such organisations.

To gain practical experience of running a charity, Jesper has been a trustee of a London based charity supporting adults with learning disabilities.

iii. Individuals

Acting for charity/ third sector executives/ chief executives, company directors/ managing directors, City and financial industry professionals, senior academics and medical professionals.

Jepser’s work for individuals involves negotiating and advising on exit strategies and/or on the terms of settlement agreements and compensation packages already offered to the individuals. His advice covers all aspects of the structure of the termination arrangements. This includes taxation of the financial settlement, as well as issues around confidentiality, reputation management/ protection and post termination restrictions.

Jesper has lectured extensively on a variety of employment law and HR issues. This includes writing blogs, presenting employment legal updates and speaking at seminars on new employment laws and developments. He has also delivered bespoke training sessions to clients and their management teams.

Jesper is a member of the Employment Lawyers’ Association.