Olivia Baxendale

I am the professional support lawyer in Bird & Bird's International HR Services Group in London. I play a key role in keeping colleagues and clients ahead of the curve with employment law developments and market trends.

Employment is a fast-moving area of law with constant legislative and case law developments driven and impacted by many political, economic and cross-border factors. I monitor these developments both within the UK and across the globe to identify key topics and emerging trends. I ensure my colleagues are up to speed with changes and assist them to leverage any changes in the law or market practice to add value to and develop our client relationships.

I also support the team with legal research, maintain our internal knowledge system, contribute to internal and external publications, and prepare innovative training and know-how materials. I help facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration within my team and across our global network, to ensure we are at the cutting edge of employment law trends and continue to deliver a seamless international service to our clients. I am particularly interested in the current developments in technology and AI and how we can best utilise these developments to capture knowledge and innovate in this space.

Before joining Bird & Bird in January 2024, I gained extensive experience advising clients in all areas of employment law as a senior associate at another firm and a knowledge lawyer at one of the Big 4. I advised a broad range of clients from start-ups to large multinationals across sectors including retail, technology and the public sector. I have particular expertise in tribunal litigation, representing clients in high profile, high value tribunal cases. I have a special area of interest in diversity, equality and inclusion matters, and looking at employment law through a global lens.