Helena Milner-Smith

About
Representative Matters
Credentials

About
Helena Milner-Smith helps companies navigate complex international HR-legal compliance issues.

Helena advises clients across a range of industries on all aspects of UK and international employment law, including the HR aspects of privacy compliance and human rights regulation.

Helena has particular expertise advising on the HR-legal aspects of multi-jurisdictional transactions. She also regularly assists clients seeking to protect their business and increase international compliance by designing and implementing global policies, employment contracts and restrictive covenants.

Helena has been recognised by Legal 500 UK for her “exceptional service” and “responsive and practical” advice.

In addition, Helena has gained valuable in-house experience while on secondment at three large multinational corporations - a pharmaceutical company, an oil company and a leading investment bank.
Areas of Expertise

Regulatory and Public Policy

Employment

Global Workforce Solutions

Corporate

Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation

Litigation and Investigations

Institutional Culture and Social Responsibility

Financial Services

Life Sciences
Practices and Industries
Representative Matters
- Advising Microsoft Corporation on the global employment law aspects of its US$7bn acquisition of Nokia’s devices and services business and subsequent corporate integration, involving over 25,000 former Nokia employees across 60 countries.
- Providing international employment law advice to AstraZeneca in relation to its acquisition of Bristol-Myers Squibb’s interests in the companies’ global diabetes alliance across 40 jurisdictions.
- Advising a multinational retail client on the implementation of global employment contracts, policies and business code of conduct.
- Representing an international pharmaceutical company in defending several claims in the UK employment tribunal, including unfair dismissal and race discrimination.
- Advising an international media company on its restructure, including managing collective and individual redundancies.
Areas of Expertise

Regulatory and Public Policy

Employment

Global Workforce Solutions

Corporate

Employee Benefits and Executive Compensation

Litigation and Investigations

Institutional Culture and Social Responsibility

Financial Services

Life Sciences

Credentials

Education	Oxford Institute of Legal Practice, L.P.C., 2005 University of Oxford, B.A., 2004 Honors First Class
Bar Admissions	Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales
Pro Bono	Working with Kids In Need of Defense UK to provide children and young people with pro bono immigration and nationality legal advice and representation. Advising a global charity in relation to expatriate contracts and policies. Representing a global charity in defending allegations of unfair dismissal and whistleblowing. Nominated for the LawWorks Pro Bono Award for Best Contribution by an Individual in 2012 and 2010.
Accolades	Who's Who Legal, Global Leader - Labour and Employment (2020-2023) The Lawyer Awards, shortlisted in the Employment Team of the Year category (2015) IFLR European Awards, shortlisted in Deals of the Year: M&A (2015) Legal 500 UK, Employment (2014-2015)
Memberships and Affiliations	Employment Lawyers' Association

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Helena Milner-Smith

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Areas of Expertise

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