"He is a very measured, calm and technically accomplished lawyer." "He is proactive, he reaches out with relevant information, he is pragmatic and he provides us with options."Chambers UK 2023
Overview
Chris is head of our London Employment group. He joined Mayer Brown in 2001 and became a partner in 2003. Clients comment that he "provides advice in the way that we need it, and he understands how our company works and is structured" (Chambers UK 2019) and that "he is commercial, understands our business, is accessible and is a pleasure to work with." (Chambers UK 2018).
Chris advises on a broad range of contentious and non-contentious matters. His advisory experience includes recruitment and termination of executives; team moves; restructuring programmes, including collective and individual consultation; business transfers and outsourcing; and the implications of the Business Transfer Regulations. As a member of our international Employment & Benefits group, Chris works regularly on projects covering multiple countries, whether they are outsourcings, restructurings or other projects where clients require international advice managed out of the UK. Recent work has included the introduction of new employment contracts across 55 countries for a global retail client, advice on restructuring (including collective consultation requirements) for a financial services client across Europe, North America and Asia, and an outsourcing transaction negotiated on UK law principles but covering various ARD and non-ARD countries. On this latter area, Chris works frequently with our network of firms located outside of the countries where Mayer Brown has offices.
Chris’ contentious work includes defending employers in discrimination, whistleblowing and unfair dismissal claims in the employment tribunals, and defending and pursuing breach of contract claims in the High Court and the Court of Appeal. Chris has particular experience in restrictive covenant and team move cases. Recent work includes the defence of injunction proceedings threatened and brought in the USA, Asia and finally the UK in which Chris worked with EBG members in our New York and Hong Kong offices. Chris has also worked on significant reported cases in this area, such as Arbuthnot Fund Managers v. Rawlings (2003) and TFS Derivatives v. Morgan (2005) and QBE Management Services v. Dymoke (2012).
Chris speaks and writes on a variety of employment law topics.
Areas of Focus
Spoken Languages
- English
Perspectives
Events
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October 262023
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June 302021
News
Education
The College of Law, London
University of Reading, LLB (Hons)
Admissions
- England and Wales
Activities
- Employment Lawyers' Association
- Law Society
- Band 3: Employment. Christopher Fisher leads the London employment group at Mayer Brown. He frequently provides both advisory and contentious assistance to a range of employers, often handling matters that involve cross-jurisdictional elements. He is particularly noted for his deep understanding of the financial services sector. "He is a very measured, calm and technically accomplished lawyer." "He is proactive, he reaches out with relevant information, he is pragmatic and he provides us with options." (Chambers UK 2023).
- Listed as a leading individual for Employment (Legal 500 2023).
- Christopher Fisher leads the London employment group at Mayer Brown. He frequently provides both advisory and contentious assistance to a range of employers, often handling matters that involve cross-jurisdictional elements. He is particularly noted for his deep understanding of the financial services sector. "He is a very measured, calm and technically accomplished lawyer." "He is proactive, he reaches out with relevant information, he is pragmatic and he provides us with options." (Chambers UK 2022).
- Listed as a 'Leading individual', Christopher Fisher is shrewd, experienced.’ (Legal 500 2022: Employers).
- Listed as a 'Leading individual' and other 'Other key lawyers' (Legal 500 2021).
- Christopher Fisher frequently provides both advisory and contentious assistance to a range of employers, often handling matters that involve cross-jurisdictional elements. He is particularly noted for his deep understanding of the financial services sector. "He's responsive, commercial in his approach and very easy to work with." (Chambers UK 2020).
- Listed as a 'Leading Individual', Christopher Fisher frequently provides both advisory and contentious assistance to a range of employers, often handling matters that involve cross-jurisdictional elements. One source describes him as "an excellent operator" while another highlights "his particular skill at handling restraint of trade work." (Chambers UK 2020).
- Listed as a 'Leading individual' (Legal 500 2020);
- Christopher Fisher "provides advice in the way that we need it, and he understands how our company works and is structured," notes an impressed client. He advises a broad range of clients in the private equity and insurance sectors, among others, on discrimination claims, unfair dismissals and issues arising from transactions.(Chambers UK 2019);
- Listed as a key name to note (Legal 500 2018);
- Christopher Fisher is recognised for his advice on non-contentious matters such as team moves and restructurings, but also has notable experience defending discrimination and unfair dismissal claims in the employment tribunal. Clients say that "he is commercial, understands our business, is accessible and is a pleasure to work with." (Chambers UK 2018);
- Clients state: "He is calm, considered and has a straightforward approach to explaining complexities and potential solutions." (Chambers UK 2017);
- Christopher Fisher handles non-contentious advisory work for his clients, as well as managing their most complex disputes. He is praised by respondents for his attentive approach to client service.(Chambers UK 2016);
- Christopher Fisher’s "extensive knowledge is matched by his creativity and commercial astuteness", and he is valued for his experience in international employment issues. (Legal 500 2015);
- Christopher Fisher has a broad respondent-focused practice with one impressed interviewee calling him "one of the leaders in London employment." He is described by sources as being "thoughtful, reflective and commercial," as well as "a good pragmatic negotiator." (Chambers UK 2015);
- Christopher Fisher is perceived to have a "stunning ability to make very complicated matters seem simple" and to adopt a "sound and level-headed approach, one which is very much in the interests of his clients." (Chambers UK 2014);
- “technically gifted, dependable, easy to work with and will provide commercial solutions" (Chambers UK 2013);
- "able to recognise the niche complexities of a client’s business" (Legal 500 2012);
- he is a "go-getter who helps clients to develop strategy at the highest level"(Chambers UK 2012);
- Recommended by Legal 500, 2010 for advisory and restrictive covenant matters;
- He is a versatile litigator who tailors his approach to the circumstances: "Commercial and accessible, he never lets clients down" (Chambers UK 2011);
- "down-to-earth and user-friendly, and really impressive in litigation" (Chambers & Partners UK Directory 2009);
- He delivers "pragmatic solutions and real business advice" (Legal 500, 2009).