Sophie Banks

Senior Legal Counsel

My Story:

With over 20 years’ experience in employment law within private practice, I provide clear, straightforward and commercially focused advice to help organisations navigate workplace issues with confidence. I combine expertise with a pragmatic, solutions-driven approach, enabling stakeholders at all levels to understand their options and make informed, risk-aware decisions. My aim is always to deliver advice that is practical, accessible and aligned with the commercial realities of running a business.

Key Expertise:

  • Providing strategic employment law advice to senior leadership, HR and operational teams on complex and sensitive workplace issues, entry and exit arrangements, negotiated terms and settlement agreements.

  • Managing employee relations issues including disciplinary, grievance, performance, sickness / absence, harassment, discrimination, whistleblowing, bullying, and workplace conflict.

  • Drafting, negotiating and reviewing employment contracts, directors service agreements, consultancy agreements, handbooks and policies.

  • Managing redundancy consultations, restructures and collective processes.

  • Advising on TUPE transfers, including due diligence, information/consultation obligations and post-transfer integration.

How I Help Clients:

By taking the time to get to know each client’s business, culture and priorities, I can deliver advice that is genuinely tailored, grounded in commercial reality and aligned with their strategic goals. Whether navigating complex employee relations matters, managing organisational change, resolving disputes or developing strong HR frameworks, my focus is always on reducing risk, resolving issues efficiently and enabling clients to make confident, well-informed decisions.

Why Mercurae:

Mercurae is forward-thinking and operates differently from traditional law firms which really appeals to me, as it reflects the way clients now want to access legal services: practical, responsive, commercially aligned and delivered in a way that feels like a natural extension of their own team.  Mercurae also embraces technology and innovation to drive efficiency, streamline processes and improve the client experience. Working in this kind of environment allows me to provide high-quality, pragmatic employment law advice in a way that is modern, collaborative and truly adds value for clients.

Outside Work:

I am a busy mum of three (or four if you include the dog!) so much of my free time is spent on sidelines, in audiences or driving people around! I love travelling abroad and exploring new places whenever I can, as well as enjoying theatre trips and live concerts. I also value the simple pleasure of catching up with friends over a drink at the pub.