CM Murray LLP - Employment, Partnership and Regulatory Law

The Women in Sport Podcast: Shaunagh Brown, former England and Harlequins rugby player

We are delighted to share the tenth episode of our Women in Sport Podcast, where we discuss developments, initiatives, and issues relating to women in sports and the associated legal implications. In this episode, Partner Emma Bartlett and Associate Solicitor Mitchell Blythe are joined by a special guest, former England and Harlequins rugby player, Shaunagh Brown to discuss the following: 1. Shaunagh’s sporting journey, from representing England in the hammer throw in the 2014 Commonwealth Games to representing England in the Rugby World Cup Final against New Zealand in 2021. 2. The recent Red Roses historic victory over Canada in the Rugby World Cup Final 2025 at the Allianz Stadium. 3. Being called to Parliament in 2023 to give evidence to the Women & Equalities Committee on sexism in sport. 4. The importance of visibility and role models in sport. 5. The future of women’s rugby and we name our stand-out superstars from the Rugby World Cup 2025.

Navigating Reverse Discrimination: Addressing Concerns of Those Who Feel Diversity Targets are Working Against Them

Following the 6th IFSEA International Conference on Executive & Founder Issues in June 2025, we are delighted to share with you a follow up podcast on the session, ‘Navigating Reverse Discrimination: Addressing Concerns of Those Who Feel Diversity Targets are Working Against Them’. Listen to the recording here and see below for further details. In this brilliant episode, the IFSEA annual conference panellists examine the legal frameworks, workplace practices and cultural contexts that shape evolving debates around equality and inclusion in the UK, Sweden and the US. This is essential listening for senior executives and founders seeking to lead inclusively while mitigating legal and reputational risk. - Carl-Frederik Hedenström, CFH Law (Sweden) (Chair) - Claire Dawson, BDBF (UK) - Camille Olson, Seyfarth Shaw (Chicago & California, USA) In particular, the panel discuss: - What can we understand reverse discrimination to mean? - Different jurisdictional approaches to positive action and affirmative action - The ways in which particular contexts, such as political shifts and systemic bias, can influence leadership and employer policies and best practice - How do these conversations underscore the tension between equality of treatment and actual equity in recruitment and representation? - The importance of balancing legal compliance with cultural and reputational considerations We also thank Regan O’Driscoll of Simmons & Simmons LLP (Ireland), who was unable to join the podcast, but attended as a panellist on the day of the conference and provided excellent insights.

Anonymity in Workplace Investigations – Key Legal and Practical Issues - Webinar Recording

Anonymity in workplace investigations is a double-edged sword: it can protect whistleblowers but also complicate investigations and fairness. In the recording of our recent IFSEA webinar, we were joined by: - Rachida el Johari, Sagiure Legal, Amsterdam - Mathilde Houet Weil, Weil & Associés, Paris - Colleen Cleary, Simmons & Simmons, Dublin - Andrew Pavlovic, CM Murray LLP, London - Emma Bartlett, CM Murray LLP, London (Chair) The key highlights covered in this webinar include: Jurisdictional Differences: - In Ireland, anonymous complaints may not require action, risking procedural issues. - In France, anonymous statements are allowed but must be supported by other evidence; cultural sensitivities are significant. - In the UK, anonymous complaints are accepted if detailed, but pose evidentiary challenges. The Netherlands emphasises fair trial rights, making anonymous reporting complex. Investigator & Regulator Challenges: - Anonymous reports protect identities but make evidence gathering and transparency harder. Regulators like the SRA and BSB struggle to act on such complaints. Practical Guidance: - Investigators should build trust, follow clear protocols, and explain the process to all parties. Policies should discourage anonymity where possible, ensuring fair hearings and due process. Bystander Role: - Employees must be empowered to report misconduct, with clear escalation routes and cultural support. - Organisations should review their investigation policies to balance confidentiality, fairness, and legal compliance. If you have any questions relating to this recording or if you would like discuss work place investigations in further detail, please contact Partners Emma Bartlett or Andrew Pavlovic.

Reputational Issues in Workplace Investigations - Investigations Podcast

In the third and final episode of our podcast series with Emily Kaufer, Senior Director of Human Rights and Harassment at Air Canada, Emma Bartlett, Partner, and Gabrielle Lintott, Senior Associate, at CM Murray LLP, discuss some of the reputational issues at play when it comes to workplace investigations. In this recording, Emma, Gabrielle and Emily discuss reputational issues in the context of investigations, including cross-border investigations, with a particular focus on: The potential detrimental impacts on reputation where an organisation fails to respond to allegations of inappropriate workplace conduct or carry out a poorly managed investigation   Strategies for addressing and minimising reputational issues and risk   Risk management verses crisis management, and dealing with the fallout of an improper investigation and threats to reputation   The intricacies of cross border investigations and how cultural considerations might play a role in an investigation process Listen to the previous episodes in the series below: Bias in Workplace Investigations Domestic Violence and Sexual Harassment Related Investigations If you have any questions regarding this discussion or require advice regarding workplace investigations, please do not hesitate to contact Partner Emma Bartlett, Senior Associate Gabrielle Lintott, or another member of our Investigations Unit. CM Murray LLP is a leading specialist employment, partnership and regulatory law firm. We are ranked Tier 1 and Band 1 in Legal 500 and Chambers and Partners for Partnership Law and Senior Executives and are recognised as having "a truly exceptional culture. The overwhelming sense that you are in hands of superb experts who are highly compassionate and understand the unique pressures their client has." (Legal 500 UK, 2026). Legal 500 UK 2026 ranks Partner Emma Bartlett as a Leading Partner in the field of Senior Executives: "Emma has deep experience in negotiation and is a trusted advisor and defender of the rights of her clients. It is her personal and professional character that stands out as distinctive qualities." Legal 500 UK 2026 recognises Senior Associate Gabrielle Lintott as a Key Lawyer in the field of Employment - Employers: "Gabrielle Lintott is a joy to work with - her instructions are fastidiously prepared and get to the crux of a dispute. She is extremely responsive and hardworking and a real up and coming name in the field."

Professional Services in the Age of AI: Regulation, Strategy, and Real-World Impact Professional Practices Alliance (PPA) Webinar Recording

We are delighted to share with you the recording of our recent webinar, Professional Services in the Age of AI: Regulation, Strategy, and Real-World Impact. In this discussion, Anthony Davis (FisherBroyles), Devika Kewalramani, (FisherBroyles), Dr Robert Millard (Cambridge Strategy Group), David Shufflebotham (PepUp Consulting) and Nick Leale (CM Murray LLP) join chair Corinne Staves (CM Murray LLP) to explore the impact of technology on professional services firms, with a particular focus on regulation. Topics covered include: - How is technology reshaping professional services firms? From AI-powered research and disclosure tools to virtual client engagement, technology is now embedded in every aspect of firm strategy and operations. - What are the implications for structure, pricing, and regulation? AI is driving a shift away from traditional leverage models, elevating the role of technologists and challenging the billable hour. Value-based pricing is gaining ground and firms must rethink how they assess and compensate their partners. - What regulatory and ethical risks must firms manage? Competence, confidentiality, and supervision remain central. Firms must develop clear AI policies, invest in training and maintain strong oversight - particularly as regulatory scrutiny increases. - What practical steps should firms take now? Define your AI business case, benchmark tools, train your teams, and document compliance. The next generation of lawyers is already embracing AI - leaders must act now to stay ahead. This summary was drafted using Microsoft Copilot, as part of our ongoing exploration of how AI can support and enhance professional services. If you would like to discuss any aspect of AI in relation to your firm, or if you have any specific questions arising from this discussion, please contact Partner and non-contentious partnership specialist Corinne Staves, or Partner and leading regulatory law specialist Nick Leale. For example, CM Murray LLP can assist firms with reviewing their HR, risk management and other policies and/or their terms of business, on changes to governance and compensation systems for partners as a result of the increased adoption of technology and the regulatory implications of the use AI and technology in client service.