Image of Henchoz Sarah

Sarah Henchoz

Partner

Sarah is Global Head of Employment. She is recognised as being one of the leading employment lawyers of her generation. Her extensive practice is truly international, advising her clients on global workforce issues on a multi-jurisdictional basis.

Her particular specialism is business protection and workplace conduct issues. She has considerable experience of managing the most commercially sensitive and complex of matters such as complex litigation involving restraints of trade, whistleblowing and discrimination claims, and conducting investigations into often highly sensitive workplace conduct and culture. Her approach is recognised by clients as being highly pragmatic and strategic, while demonstrating adaptability in style to suit the most sensitive of matters. She is a Leading Individual in Legal 500 and ranked Band 1 in Chambers. Clients have described her as having “an almost superhuman ability to be on the detail where needed, without losing her strategic pose” and someone who “provides clear legal advice and much more than that, thought-leadership and partnership on some of our trickiest of issues”.
 
Sarah also regularly supports our Corporate practice on some of its biggest M&A transactions as well as advising clients on post-acquisition workforce harmonisation, restructures and senior management changes.
 
Sarah was awarded the TLC Lions Human Leader of the Year award 2023 having been nominated by her team for her approach to leadership. She is a Mental Health Advocate and takes an active approach to all aspects of our DE&I agenda.

Expertise

Industries

Experience

Representative matters

  • Thomas Cook on the employment issues arising out of its sale of the Neilson business.
  • Deepmind Technologies on their sale to Google and, in particular, the senior executive remuneration arrangements.
  • ENI on its acquisition of Liverpool Bay from BHP Biliton which involved significant employee consultation in respect of the harmonisation of terms and conditions of employment post-completion.
  • Boursorama on the employment issues arising out if its sale of Selftrade to Equiniti.
  • An international financial institution on its review of employment contacts in 52 countries in order to implement one universal contract across all of its operations.
  • A financial institution on a whistleblowing and unfair dismissal claim raising complex regulatory and legal issues.
  • A global bank on a race and disability discrimination claim brought by an existing employee.

Published Work

  • Contributions to a number of legal journals, including Practical Law and Personnel Today
  • Quoted in City AM, Financial News and the Wall Street Journal
  • Produces client bulletins on a range of hot topics

Speaking Engagements

  • Sarah regularly speaks at external and internal seminars, and provides training to clients on a wide range of employment-related topics. For example, she has recently designed and delivered a mock Employment Tribunal session for a variety of clients, and has presented a whistleblowing workshop to clients. She has also run disciplinary and grievance seminars for business managers.

Awards

  • Listed in the Top 50 Human Leaders Cohort at the TLC Lions Award 2023 - TLC Lions described Sarah as a "Champion for change and the kind of leader who makes you feel seen, heard and valued"

Qualifications

Admissions

Admitted as solicitor, England and Wales, 2001

Academic

LLB (Hons), University of Leeds, 1997

LPC, The College Of Law, London, 1998

Languages

English
Disclaimer
A&O Shearman was formed on May 1, 2024 by the combination of Shearman & Sterling LLP and Allen & Overy LLP and their respective affiliates (the legacy firms). Any matters referred to above may include matters undertaken by one or more of the legacy firms rather than A&O Shearman.