York-based specialist employment law firm Torque Law LLP has announced the appointment of experienced lawyer Tom Watkins, marking another major strategic step in the firm’s rapid growth trajectory.
Tom rejoins Torque Law after four years at Lupton Fawcett (now Flint Bishop) where he served as a Partner in the Employment team. With over 25 years’ employment law experience at firms like Shulmans (now Knights) and Bond Dickinson (now Womble Bond Dickinson), Tom acts for a wide range of private and public sector employers, with particular expertise in the independent schools and wider education sector.
Tiggy Clifford, Partner, said: “We are extremely pleased to welcome Tom back to Torque Law. His deep experience and client-centred approach align perfectly with the values and ambitions of our firm. As we continue to grow, our goal remains to deliver excellence – trusted employment advice with real commercial and practical insight, rooted in strong relationships.”
Co-founder, Emma Whiting, added: “This appointment further strengthens our capability to deliver high-quality, strategic employment law advice to an increasingly broad client base and bolsters our capacity at a time when many of our clients, both regionally and nationally, need guiding through significant employment law reforms.”
The firm has experienced substantial growth over the past year, in terms of both headcount and national reputation. Following a year of high-profile client wins, Chambers & Partners UK Guide 2026 recently confirmed the firm has maintained its Band 1 ranking, stating: “Torque Law are a great firm and team to work with. HR and employment issues are quite tricky and they’re very aware of the sensitivities, very responsive, pragmatic and commercial”.
Torque Law has also retained the Legal 500 “Client Satisfaction Excellence Award” for 2026 and is said to be an “agile team made up of lawyers who built their careers in a major law firm environment but now leverage that considerable experience on a boutique platform”. This reflects the firm’s commitment to technical excellence, client focused services and its increasing stature as a high-quality, specialist firm outside of London.
Image provided by www.torquelaw.co.uk
