Sam is a user-friendly specialist in Employment Law Litigation, particularly high value discrimination, whistleblowing, employee competition and business protection claims. He receives instructions from both respondents and claimants. Sam has appeared at all levels of courts, including the Privy Council.
In employment cases involving significant personal injury claims Sam brings to bear his considerable experience in Personal Injury Law. His cross-examination skills are particularly well regarded.
He has experience in international Employment Law Litigation having practiced at Misick & Stanbrook in the Turks and Caicos Islands (“TCI”). Sam remains called to the Bar in the TCI. Typically, Sam represented the business interest of a number of ultra-high-net-worth European and American individuals in the Islands, including a globally acclaimed American singer, songwriter, musician and actor, in a dispute valued at approximately $20 million.
'Samuel is a stellar advocate who is able to get his point across in very simple, concise terms. He is very confident at cross-examination and is able to entirely discredit a witness in a very effective manner.' - Employment, Legal 500 2026
'An excellent cross-examiner, who is practical and demonstrates good commercial judgement.' - Employment, Legal 500 2025
'His advocacy is strong, without being unnecessarily combative, and his cross examination appropriately piercing but not prolix: it focuses on what really matters.' - Employment, Legal 500 2024
‘Sam is a master of detail and has a great memory, which combined with his tenacity make him a misleadingly amiable, but effective, advocate. Sam has an unshowy style, but one that reassures clients and inspires confidence.' - Employment, Legal 500 2023
"Sam is a technically superb and responsive barrister who genuinely adds value. He is very approachable, great with clients and gets to the heart of the claim quickly. His cross-examination is flawless, systematically taking people to pieces and getting the ear of the Tribunal. His calm manner is reassuring to clients and inspires great confidence." - David Carmichael (Partner), Field Fisher
“Fantastic advocate, with a great eye for detail and really good with clients. He was instructed on a high profile sexual harassment case and was immense” - Suzanne McKie KC, Farore Law.
"Sam is a leading expert in his field, and highly recommended for his expertise – a superb tactician, cuts straight to the crux of the case and has the ultimate advocacy skills. Indisputably one of the best barristers I have had the pleasure of working with. Sam has clear focus and identifies the winning points in a case and pursues. He is a great source of support and strength for any client, advises succinctly and gets to know the client well." Director of a global financial institution
"Once again, a total superstar." Director of a multinational financial company
"Sam is very good at getting to the nub of an issue quickly. He is very approachable and provides practical advice to clients in a friendly way. Clients are always impressed with his cross examination skills, as his careful and considered questioning often befuddles even the most prepared witnesses." - Alexandria Quigley, Senior Solicitor, Lupton Fawcett, Leeds.
"Sam is calm under pressure and provides excellent support to those instructing him. He is extremely client focused, pragmatic and commercial. In the case we worked on together, Sam showed particular skill in handling a challenging lay claimant and providing support to our witnesses." - Leading Associate in a top City firm.
Sam is well regarded by those that instruct him for his eye for detail, cross-examination skills and overall expertise.
His clients include banks, blue-chip companies, City recruitment agencies, utility companies, public authorities and NHS Trusts and associated organisations. Sam has an in-depth understanding of the international financial markets as a result of his work in the TCI on many international banking related disputes.
Sam has also developed a practice in representing claimants in cases involving allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse. These cases are often high profile and reported in the media. One example is A v Mike Hill MP (2021) which was widely reported in the press (read the Devereux news item here). The Claimant was ultimately awarded in excess of £430,000.
In 2023 Sam represented another claimant in a claim against a conservative MP, which involved allegations of sexual harassment and sex discrimination.
Sam (led by Suzanne Mckie KC) also recently represented the Claimant in a case involving very serious allegations of sexual misconduct, by a senior manager, against a City financial institution and achieved a large settlement.
In January 2022 Sam successfully represented British Gas Services Limited in the first case arising out of the business modernisation exercise (widely reported in the media as a “fire and rehire”) which resulted in the dismissal of over 400 engineers: Fisher and O’Donnell v British Gas Services Limited.
Sam also has extensive experience in advising in cases involving apprenticeship law, equal pay claims, and employee competition and restrictive covenants.
Appellate Employment Work:
At appellate level in the UK Sam has acted in the following cases:
Recent highlights of Sam’s work include:
Interim Relief Hearings
Sam has undertaken a number of interim relief hearings including:
Legal Privilege
Sam has acted in a number of cases before the Employment Tribunals which involve complex points of legal privilege and is readily able to advise in this potentially difficult area.
Investigations
Sam is experienced in conducting workplace investigations:
Sam has also provided comprehensive training in this area to a number of solicitors firms.
Privacy Issues
Sam has particular expertise in dealing with high-profile cases involving the whole range of privacy orders available in the Employment Tribunals.
Protection from Harassment Act 1997 claims
Sam has also been instructed in a number of claims under the PHA 1997 in the civil courts.
General
In addition to his extensive experience in Employment Law matters, Sam has considerable experience of both General Medical Council and Nursing and Midwifery Council prosecutions whilst working for Field Fisher Waterhouse in their Professional Regulatory Department. Sam therefore accepts instructions in this area, defending medical and other professionals who have been prosecuted by their regulatory bodies.
Sam has acted in employment related Judicial Review proceedings in the High Court as sole counsel: Kirk & Ors, R (on the app'n of) v Action for Children [2010] IRLR 699, in which he successfully defended an application for an injunction.
In 2012, Sam was junior to Suzanne McKie QC in the High Court case of Gelpack v Nexpack, an expedited final hearing, concerning enforceability of non-compete, non-dealing and non-solicitation clauses; resisting a springboard injunction.
Sam has significant commercial experience, gained largely from his time in the TCI.
This incudes:
Sam was instructed in a multi-million-pound insurance case in the High Court (Colin Edelman KC and Richard Harrison instructed).
Sam is ideally suited to instructions involving employment related negligence given his expertise in both Employment and Professional Negligence Law.
He has represented a defendant builder in a professional negligence action.
Sam has advised in a contractual dispute relating to the development of commercial property.
Industrial Law Society
Employment Lawyers Association
Personal Injury Bar Association
Direct Access Qualified
Faculty of Law Prize for Top First Class degree in year
Victoria Chambers Prize for Top First in Evidence Examination
Inner Temple Scholarship
LLB First Class (top First in year)
LLM, Queen’s Cambridge (Upper Second)
Attorney General’s C Panel (from 1st September 2023)