Joanne Henderson
With over 30 years’ experience, Jo is a trusted adviser to both employers and senior executives across all aspects of employment law and multiple sectors. She is ranked as a Leading Partner in the Legal 500 and is also ranked in Chambers and Partners directory.
Specialisms & Areas of Work
Legal 500
Biography
Joanne Henderson is a graduate of the University of Leeds and a specialist employment lawyer with over 30 years' experience. Following time served at major national and international firms, in 2009, she joined the Myerson Team, rated as "excellent" in the independent legal directory, the Legal 500. She became Partner in 2013.
Jo is ranked as a Leading Partner in the Legal 500 and is also ranked in Chambers and Partners directory.
Jo advises on all aspects of employment law and is a trusted business adviser to major clients across diverse industry sectors, including the Financial Services sector. She is known for her commercial approach, excellent advice and strong client service. She is also an experienced Employment Tribunal advocate and deals with complex and high-value employment disputes and claims.
She has a particular interest and experience in the employment law aspects of corporate and commercial transactions, projects, restructuring and collective employment law matters, including redundancy. She is also experienced in industrial relations.
Additionally, a significant feature of her practice is advising senior executives, especially in the context of exit arrangements, providing strategic advice and negotiating complex settlement terms often involving shares and other incentive arrangements and restrictive covenants. Jo understands the need for a tailored approach and timeliness.
Client Feedback
Legal 500, 2022
Both Joanne Henderson and Joanne Evans are stand-out and reliable. I have no hesitation in recommending them to people and am confident they will do a good job. I have never been disappointed. Service approach and value are all high on the list of descriptions I would have for them.
Chambers UK Guide 2026
Joanne Henderson is a knowledgeable lawyer who I trust to provide me with excellent employment law advice.
Chambers UK Guide 2026
Joanne Henderson offers excellent all-round service, encompassing advice and her being responsive on a very tricky, time-sensitive matter.
Chambers UK Guide 2026
Joanne consistently listens to our requirements and plots a course that minimises our risk. She is a key member of our supply chain.
Chambers UK Guide 2026
Joanne provides strong client service. She is aware of the wider commercial issues and applies these to her advice.
Chambers UK Guide 2026
Jo provided excellent service and advice, with a very successful outcome from my perspective.
Chambers UK Guide 2026
Joanne Henderson is an experienced employment practitioner who represents prominent clients across a range of different industries. Her work includes settlement agreements, unions advice and executive terminations, as well as matters involving the Employment Tribunal.
Legal 500, 2024
Joanne Henderson was very professional and supportive in an employment dispute. Her responses were always clear and professional setting out the pros and cons of the relevant elements of the dispute.
Legal 500, 2022
Jo Henderson was very pragmatic and secured a sensible settlement for the client.
Legal 500, 2022
Joanne Henderson is unfailingly dedicated to her clients and makes sure the decisions that she takes with them is the right one in all the circumstances. Incredibly client-focused, but professional in her interactions with others. Her competence is also outstanding as well as her ability to advise across the spectrum of employment law. Jo Evans has built a well-respected team that competes with the city centre firms and is exceptional in her own right.
Greg McMahon, Mitchells & Butlers PLC
As always, fantastic support and crystal clear, constructive and eminently sensible advice. A joy to work with you!
Legal 500, 2021
Jo is very good at really listening to your issues and only advising once she has a full picture. She looks at things from angles that we wouldn’t have thought of and I don’t think that is just because of the legal expertise. She helps me to challenge the thinking in my organisation and often with her support I am able to effect positive decision making in the business. Jo also understands when it is not possible to implement advice and doesn’t overly pressurise if she thinks the business is taking a risk.
Legal 500, 2020
Jo Henderson stands out. She has excellent technical knowledge but also understands the commercial realities and advises accordingly. Very proactive, great client service skills.
Legal 500, 2019
Joanne Henderson is a great lawyer and a wonderful adviser to have on your side. She has a good sense of humor and is a really dedicated, hard-working commercially minded solicitor.
Gary
This is the 2nd time I've worked with Joanne in the Employment Law practice; she is excellent. Approachable, practical, clear, straightforward, knowledgeable - an expert. I would heartily recommend Joanne to anyone with an Employment Law matter.
Lynn
I would highly recommend Jo Henderson, very professional, approachable and give me clear and practical advice.
Gary Haynes
Joanne Henderson represented me and over 40 of my former colleagues in a long, complex and highly charged TUPE group action. Joanne is extremely knowledgeable in her field, with a real ability to focus on the specific legal issues at hand, weed out all the irrelevance and make a strong and clear case. I would heartily and without hesitation recommend Joanne to anyone with an employment law issue.
Mrs. Cottrell
Great service with quick turnaround and pragmatic approach to advising me. Thorough legal review. Joanne Henderson was very easy to work with.
Recent Experience
- Advising and negotiating on behalf of a C-suite executive in the context of an acquisition by a listed company, working to stringent timescales and achieving favourable exit terms and protection of reputation and wider interests.
- Advising on a board level dispute involving allegations of bullying and harassment on grounds of sex and race, advising on investigation requirements and grievance process. Negotiating a resolution of the dispute.
- Providing tailored training and strategic guidance to the board of a FTSE 250 employer on upcoming major changes in employment legislation
- Providing strategic advice to in-house legal and an HR team in relation to enhanced redundancy rights, issues of age discrimination and legal and financial exposure.
- Providing commercial and practical advice to a household name employer on outsourcing arrangements and the effect of TUPE, minimising legal risk and cost implications.
- Providing strategic and hands on advice in relation to a contentious restructuring programme for a high-profile organisation. Providing legal and practical advice on the related dispute between the employer and its recognised unions and industrial action.
- Providing risk management and compliance advice in relation to an international bonus scheme involving issues of potential disability discrimination.
- Conduct of a number of complex discrimination cases in the Employment Tribunal and in the Employment Appeal Tribunal.
Awards & Rankings
Legal 500 — Leading Partner
2026
UK Employee Ownership Awards — Transition of the Year
2025Insights & Media
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