Regional voice to lead national legal team

The Newcastle-born Senior Partner of a Cumbria law firm has been chosen to head a prominent Law Society committee.

John Morris, Senior Partner at Burnetts in Carlisle has been appointed Chairman of the Employment Law Committee, an influential, national committee which advises the Government on employment law issues. John who leads Burnetts’ six-solicitor employment law team will take up his new part-time role in September.

John, 57, who has spent his career working in northern England said, “I feel very honoured to have been recognised especially as a solicitor from the regions. There is a perception that difficult legal work can only done in London. At Burnetts we advise on some very complex legal issues for some very high calibre clients. I’m delighted that the value of my experience from the provinces is being acknowledged.”

During his three year appointment, John expects to be taking a leading role in key employment law consultations with Government officials such as plans to overhaul the discrimination laws and changes to procedures for dealing with workplace grievances and disciplinary matters.

He said, “I’m very much looking forward to getting started. In the early part of my career, I was following the law that others laid down. When I became a part-time Employment Tribunal chairman, I was applying that law. Now, in this new role, I’m in at the beginning, helping to shape the law.”

John is a leading expert on employment law and is particularly skilled in tribunal advocacy. Recently he was ranked as one of the North West’s top 21 employment lawyers in Chambers UK.

23rd August, 2007

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For further information, biography or photograph contact Angela Huck on 01228 552222

Note to Editor: Chambers UK is an annual guide which ranks solicitors and barristers in over 60 specialist areas of law.