Biography
Emilie’s commitment to securing justice for victims of harrassment and discrimination in the workplace has earned her a formidable reputation and inclusion in The Lawyer’s Hot 100, a list of the UK’s “most daring, innovative and creative lawyers.”
She’s known for taking high profile and often controversial cases, particularly involving the protection of equal rights. Emilie’s been recognised as Times Lawyer of the Week and Lawyer in the News in the Law Society Gazette. She was a finalist for ‘Legal Personality of the Year’ in the Lexis Nexis Awards 2020, ‘Lawyer of the Year’ in the Legal Business Awards 2020, and private practice solicitor of the year in the Law Society Excellence Awards 2020.
Emilie’s landmark Supreme Court case, Gilham v Ministry of Justice [2017] EWCA Civ 2220 (21 December 2017), recognising whistleblowing as a fundamental human right marks her out as a fearless champion of doing what’s right, not what’s easy.
Her high-profile legal battles have led to numerous precedent-setting judgements and millions of pounds in pay-outs for her clients.
Emilie has a reputation for tireless negotiation and mediation. She’s regularly instructed by senior level executives to negotiate large severance packages and advises businesses on fairly applying grievance, disciplinary and redundancy procedures.
Her experience in professional discipline makes her sought-after by regulated professionals who need guidance throughout disciplinary and regulatory proceedings.
Market view
“She achieves fantastic results... She has worked on the trickiest cases, including breaking into new areas of law. She’s a legal pioneer and will fight her client’s corner.”
— Chambers & Partners, 2021 (Up And Coming)
“…increasingly recognized for her whistle-blowing work, and is notable for her representation of employees from a range of professional services firms.” Market sources describe her as “an outstanding employment practitioner with high analytical skill and excellent client-handling abilities.”
— Chambers & Partners, 2020
“Exceptional experience of claimant work and high-quality judgement.”
— Legal 500, 2020
“Emilie Cole and Shazia Khan stand out for their exceptional client care and judgement.”
— Legal 500, 2020
“Emilie Cole is excellent - always calm, well prepared and strategic.”
— Legal 500, 2020
“Emilie Cole is “an excellent pair of hands on lengthy discrimination claims” and “never loses focus.”
— Legal 500, 2017