Bird & Bird—Susan Battye

International law firm Bird & Bird boosts its team in Ireland with the arrival of Susan Battye as head of the country’s employment practice.

With over two decades of experience, Susan advises both international and domestic clients on the entire life span of employment law issues. Her experience includes resolving complex issues, such as senior executive terminations, negotiating and drafting severance terms, service agreements, and post-termination restrictions, amongst other matters. 

Susan’s advisory expertise covers employment issues in M&A transactions, organisational changes, transfers of undertakings, servicing arrangements, HR compliance and harmonisation projects.  She has represented clients in employment disputes before the Workplace Relations Commission, Labour Court, including advising on claims for unfair dismissals, constructive dismissals, discrimination, whistleblowing and penalisation, workplace bullying and stress-related injuries, industrial relations disputes, and employment injunctions and breach of contract claims before the High Court. She has extensive expertise in discreetly managing a crisis as well as mitigating legal, reputational, and ESG risks cost-effectively. Prior to joining Bird & Bird, Susan established and was the head of the employment team at Walkers in Ireland.

Michael Finn, Head of Bird & Bird Ireland, says: 'Susan’s arrival at Bird & Bird is an important part of our continued growth in Ireland. We’ve known Susan for a number of years and her extensive experience advising clients on a range of employment matters alongside her outstanding reputation in the Irish market means she is the ideal partner to lead our Employment practice in Ireland. Welcome to the team Susan!'

Nathalie Devernay, Alison Dixon and Thomas Hey, international co-heads of the employment practice at Bird & Bird, comment: 'Susan has a strong track record of creating, building, managing and growing an Employment practice and a wealth of knowledge advising both international and domestic clients on the entire life cycle of employment law issues. We’re looking forward to seeing her grow the practice in Ireland in the months ahead: Susan will be an integral part of our international offering going forward.'