In our latest “Five Minutes With”, we caught up with Amy Millson, Partner in Hill Dickinson’s leading Health Employment team. Based in the firm’s Leeds office, Amy shared what makes this team stand out – and why now is the perfect time for specialist employment lawyers to join them. Here’s what she had to say…
1. Amy, you joined Hill Dickinson’s Employment team in Leeds in May 2019 – what attracted you to it?
At the time of me joining, the Leeds office was only just in its infancy, having opened in September 2017, in serviced offices, with just 2 Fee Earners – Rob McGough, Partner in Health Commercial, and Esther Venning, at the time Legal Director (now Partner) in Health Commercial – together with Ann MacDonald, PA. I knew Rob, Esther and Ann, having worked with them previously, and was pleased to be working with them again, as well as to be part of something new and evolving. I was the first Employment Fee Earner in the Leeds office and was tasked with developing the growth of this area, specifically in Health; it was an exciting and ambitious challenge that I was ready for. It was clear that both the Leeds office, and Hill Dickinson generally, had ambitious growth plans, and neither has failed to deliver, not least as the Leeds office today stands at circa 70 staff, in lovely, purpose-built office space.
2. Could you tell us about the blend of work the team is involved with?
My team is involved in all elements of contentious and non-contentious employment work, ranging from complex, multi-faceted discrimination and whistleblowing Tribunal claims, to the drafting of legal contracts and policies, as well as day-to-day advisory work to clients on anything and everything, from disciplinary and grievance issues, flexible working requests and sickness absence, to TUPE and large organisational change issues.
Whilst it is arguably the same sort of work as any other employment lawyer, the difference is getting to know the nuances of a particular sector. It is also the case that we are often dealing with national terms and conditions, a unionised workforce, and restrictions over settlement due to the best use of public monies. This makes it very interesting, however, and means that most of our Tribunal matters will proceed all the way to a final hearing due to the inability to settle matters.
3. What kind of client base could a new recruit expect to work with?
Whilst we do the odd bit of ‘commercial/private client’ work (usually from referrals in from good contacts), my team predominantly deals with clients who sit in the health sector, whether this be NHS Trusts (Acute, mental health and ambulance); primary care (GP Practices, PCNs and Federations), or private health clients.
4. What would you say to someone who’s wondering if healthcare employment law is “too niche”?
Whilst I can appreciate the nervousness for someone who hasn’t been involved in this area before, I would challenge this. As noted above, we are primarily employment lawyers, dealing with all aspects of employment law and HR queries. Our work is fascinating as we will experience the whole ‘life cycle’ of a matter – from the initial, internal advice stage, right through to a final Tribunal Hearing due to restrictions imposed around Treasury Approval, and the best use of public monies, preventing the settlement of a claim. This is great experience for any employment lawyer.
5. Could you tell us a little about the benefits package on offer at Hill Dickinson?
We offer a great benefits package, which includes a ‘birthday privilege day’ (an extra day off on or around your birthday); office closedown between Christmas and New Year, with additional holiday contribution for this; increased holiday as you progress with the firm; gym/sports club annual contribution; Medicash (money back for day to day medical expenditure on things like glasses and contact lenses, and dental appointments) and BUPA membership; enhanced pension contribution; enhanced maternity/paternity/shared parental leave; flexible working with a contribution towards home equipment; 10 days paid childcare/dependent care/pet care a year through the Bright Horizons scheme; a contribution towards a mobile phone contract; and a ‘travel grant’ as you progress with the firm.
6. Hill Dickinson has a great reputation, but could you tell us what it’s really like to work there, and specifically in the Leeds office?
As noted already, the firm has ambitious growth plans, as demonstrated by the opening of the Leeds, Newcastle and Birmingham offices in the last 8 years, as well as the recent headline sponsorship of the new Everton stadium. It is really exciting to be part of that.
There is also a lot of investment in the firm, both with its people (through recruitment, as well an internal promotions and progression plans, and a continuous review of our benefits package), as well as new office spaces. Leeds moved into new, premium office space in January 2024, and this remains the most sustainable office space in Leeds to date. Manchester also opened it fantastic new office in July 2025; this is part of one of Gary Neville’s developments and looks out across the skyline of Manchester from the 9th floor.
In terms of my team, and the Leeds office generally, we are all really supportive of one another, and work collaboratively. This is helped by us all being on one floor, and regularly holding socials, both in the lovely office space, as well as at external venues. In the Leeds office, as well as across the firm generally, we are also encouraged to get involved with charity/CSR events, and this is assisted by all staff having 2 days paid CSR days a year.
If you’re interested in finding out more about working within Amy’s team, please contact Haggerty Jaques for a confidential discussion on 07740 662 995 or 07974 131 939.