Rachel commenced pupillage in October 2025. She is interested in employment law, with a particular focus on whistleblowing, trade union law and equality issues
Prior to coming to the Bar, Rachel worked at Protect as a Senior Legal Adviser where she advised clients across all sectors on their whistleblowing rights and employment tribunal claims. Alongside her own busy caseload Rachel supervised junior advisers and delivered training to MPs, government departments and businesses in financial, medical and care sectors on whistleblowing investigations and best practice.
Rachel also contributed to Protect’s legal reform campaign, working on interventions in cases to extend protections for whistleblowers and clarify the law, such as MacLennan v British Psychological Society (Protect and Charity Commission Intervening) [2024] EAT 166 (re: Art 10 and Art 14 arguments to extend whistleblowing protections to Trustees) and the appeal of Wicked Vision v Rice [2024] EAT 29 (re: scope of whistleblowing detriment claims).
In 2025 Protect won ‘Employment Law Team of the Year’ at the Lexis Nexis legal awards, recognising the work Rachel contributed to while at the charity.
Rachel has represented claimants in the Employment Tribunal through the Free Representation Unit, successfully arguing complex interlocutory applications and advising on high-value claims. She has also acted for members of the Cleaners & Allied Independent Workers Union in disciplinary and appeal hearings.
Earlier in her career, she worked as a Litigation Assistant in the Employment Rights team at Thompsons Solicitors, contributing to landmark cases including Samira Ahmed v BBC [2020] 2206858/2018 and judicial review proceedings on union rights and challenging public sector exit payment regulations respectively, as well as multi-claimant equal pay and holiday pay claims.
Alongside her legal practice Rachel has extensive experience in the charity sector, including research and campaigning roles with Lensational, SARSAS and Bristol Women’s Voice. She led projects on women’s rights, sexual consent and workplace harassment, requiring sensitive communication, careful negotiation of competing perspectives and the ability to translate complex issues into persuasive advocacy.
Awards and Prizes
Academics
Bar Vocational Studies, City Law School (Merit, 79%) Distinction in Opinion Writing, Cross-Examination and Examination-in-Chief.
Graduate Diploma in Law, City Law School (Commendation)
BA Philosophy & English Literature, University of Bristol (2:1)
