First for public law
ELS is a unique legal service that combines exceptional commercial experience with a mature understanding of the values and ethos of the public sector. Evolving from the in-house legal team of one of the UK’s largest local authorities, we're committed to protecting the public
Paul Turner
Director, Legal and Assurance
Paul has been Essex County Council’s Monitoring Officer or deputy since 2013. He has overall responsibility for the County Council’s constitution and its formal decision making processes as well as supporting Councillors across the political spectrum. Paul has 25 years’ legal experience across almost all areas of local authority law and prides himself on taking a risk aware approach, ensuring that the decisions taken by the County Council are as safe as possible. Paul deals with complex complaints and is adviser to the Essex Police and Crime Panel on complaints. He has particular experience as senior responsible officer for Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.
Laura Edwards
Corporate and Commercial - Legal Services Manager
Laura specialises in all aspects of commercial law and specifically procurement law and regeneration projects, advising on complex high value projects including PFI, PPP and outsourcing. Laura’s particular expertise is dealing with major complex procurements including competitive dialogue across various sectors including education, highways, information technology, outsourcing and transformation. Laura has an in-depth practical experience in advising on cutting edge innovative commissioning solutions for the delivery of public services including social enterprises, social impact bonds, pooled funds, joint procurements projects and shared services. Laura also has considerable experience in advising public bodies on construction and regeneration matters as well as trading vehicles, joint ventures and mutuals.
Joanna Gent
Property - Legal Services Manager
Joanna joined ELS from private practice where she was the Head of the Property Department and a partner in a busy private practice. Joanna has over 12 years of experience in dealing with commercial property matters both in the public sector and private practice. Joanna specialises in all commercial property matters to include landlord & tenant, freehold and leasehold purchase and sales, easements, option and overage agreements. Joanna has a broad range of Commercial Real Estate experience, having acted for developers, landlords and providers of development finance. Joanna has a commercial and practical approach to problem solving and the knowledge and experience to rise to any challenges our clients face with their real estate and secure a successful outcome. Relevant experience: Development Disposals and Acquisitions Easements and Licences Option and Promotion Agreements Landlord and Tenant General Property Advice Commercial Agreements
Emma Thomas
Dispute Resolution and Employment - Legal Services Manager
Emma deals with both contentious and non-contentious employment law matters and provides practical advice on a wide range of issues including all aspects of discrimination law; bullying and harassment; redundancies and restructures; equal pay; part time workers; the performance management of employees; managing sickness absence; advising on contracts of employment and staff policies, resolving complex and sensitive employment disputes; settlements and negotiations; and general advisory work. Emma regularly advises public bodies’ senior officers on highly sensitive and complex employment law matters with governance implications. She has particular expertise in complex Transfer of Undertakings (TUPE) matters including the in-sourcing and outsourcing of contracts; whistleblowing; health and safety at work; grievance and disciplinary matters; and related investigations. Emma regularly presents seminars and training workshops on employment law updates nationally and internationally and can tailor a workshop to the client’s specific requirements. The Employment Team host regular training events and workshops as well as sessions dealing with key changes in legislation.
Jennifer Mellani
Health, Social Care and Deputyship - Legal Services Manager
Jennifer is a specialist Healthcare Lawyer who led on transactions stemming from some of the major reforms in the NHS including: the “Transforming Community Services Agenda”, Personalisation Agenda and Direct Payments, Health and Social Care Act reforms. She also acted in her past in-house role as an advocate for the “Freedom to Speak Up Review”. Jennifer is currently leading on major projects involving local government and healthcare including Better Care Fund Initiative, Health and Social Care Integration Programme, partnerships and joint ventures between local government and NHS organisations, integrated care delivery models and service disaggregation.
Susan Moussa
Highways and Environment - Legal Services Manager
Susan has extensive experience advising clients in relation to contracts and public procurements, having led on procurements for various types of goods, services and works for unitary authorities; county councils; districts, boroughs; Fire and Rescue Authorities; and local authority wholly-owned companies. Susan advises as to the legal and procurement implications; drafts contract documents; provides advice regarding procurement documents; and provides advice regarding ad-hoc queries. Susan, also, provides commercial advice regarding alternative delivery structures including, but not limited to, companies, joint ventures and shared services. Susan liaises with clients to establish the optimum delivery model. Susan provides corporate governance advice to companies and undertakes company secretarial duties for local authority trading companies. Susan, also, has a history of providing corporate governance advice to local authorities, having previously successfully completed the Law Society’s Diploma in Local Government Law and Practice. Susan regularly advises local authorities as to their decision-making powers and acts on behalf of the Monitoring Officer.
