With us in your corner, the commercial side of your business is in safe hands.

Practical, focused and fast when you need us to be, we pay attention to the detail while keeping things moving – leaving you to stay focused on your next move.

Whether you’re buying, selling, structuring or investing in your business, let us do the heavy lifting so you don’t have to.

Legal expertise that supports your employees and your business. We’re always available and always ready to step in when you need us. 

Our breadth of expertise means you’ll be prepped and ready to handle the unique challenges of this fast-paced and ever-changing sector. 

Your business is unique. We’ll help you keep it that way. 

Our deep level of sector expertise means we’re the go-to law firm for clients leading the way in the low-carbon industry. 

Melanie Rowe

Partner

Melanie leads our employment law team and is regularly praised for making painful processes easier.

Employment law is rarely straightforward, and the stakes are high. Melanie works primarily with employers — from owner-managed businesses to larger corporates — but also advises senior employees on exits and tribunal claims. Clients come to her because she gives them clear, practical advice when it matters most, whether that’s navigating a difficult dismissal, handling a tribunal claim, or getting the right contracts and policies in place before problems arise.

Recommended in the Legal 500 for her wide-ranging expertise, Melanie has spent over fifteen years advising businesses across the Southwest and beyond. She handles the full range of employment matters — from day-to-day HR guidance and policy work to senior executive exits, employment tribunal claims and the employment aspects of corporate transactions. She’s a member of the Employment Lawyers Association and keeps a close eye on legislative change so her clients don’t have to.

What sets her apart is the way she works with people. Employment issues are rarely just legal problems, and Melanie brings the kind of calm, considered approach that helps clients make good decisions under pressure.

Speak to Melanie

Melanie.Rowe@murrellslaw.com 07854 029922 LinkedIn

See how Melanie has helped our clients

Frequently Asked Questions – Settlement Agreements

What is a settlement agreement? A settlement agreement is a legally binding agreement used to resolve disputes between an employer and an employee. It typically involves the employee agreeing to waive or settle any claims they may have against their employer in exchange for a payment. Why may an employer offer an employee a settlement […]

Employment Law Changes: Your Practical Survival Guide to the New Employment Rights Act  

Sweeping employment law changes are coming this year and next, and if you’re reading the headlines, you’d think the sky is falling. Here’s the truth: businesses that prepare now won’t just survive—they’ll gain a competitive edge.  After months helping clients navigate these changes, we’ve noticed something. The businesses panicking are treating this like a compliance checkbox. The ones thriving? They’re using it as an opportunity to become better employers.  Three changes […]

The Employment Rights Bill: A Timeline

Described as the most significant overhaul of employment law in decades, the Employment Rights Bill is expected to receive approval on 28 October 2025, with initial provisions coming into force within months. It’s likely to be April 2026 before the key changes for employers come into force. Here’s what you need to know about the […]

Case by Case: Employment tribunal Lessons for employers 

In this series, Annalisa Marsay explores recent employment tribunal decisions that offer valuable guidance for employers managing everyday HR challenges.  Working a second job whilst in receipt of company sick pay: Is dismissal fair?  Scenario: Your employee is off work on sick leave with long-term mental health issues and has received company sick pay for […]

Employer Q&A: The four-day week

The pros and cons of a four-day working week are a hot topic.   Proponents shout that it raises productivity (by increasing focus and more efficient workload management) and improves work-life balance (higher job satisfaction and less stress, sickness etc).  Naysayers point to struggles to maintain customer service, meet deadlines and an increase in recruitment and […]

Employer Guides: April employment law changes in a nutshell

After a few years where there has not been much to report on the employment front, April 2024 marks the start of some activity which employers should be aware of. We have picked out the key points below. Changes at a glance: From 1 April… From 6 April… Acas has a new draft code of […]

Arcwide strengthens its presence in UK and US with the acquisition of Cedar Bay’s IFS business

January 2024 Arcwide, the joint venture of BearingPoint and IFS dedicated to the deployment of IFS Cloud services, announces its official acquisition of Cedar Bay’s IFS business.  As the first IFS Platinum Channel Partner in the U.K. and with almost two decades of experience implementing large-scale ERP solutions, Cedar Bay provides IFS services and solutions to […]

Employer Data Q&A: How private are your management emails? 

Before you press send on a management email about an employee, stop and think to yourself, would I be happy for the employee to read this?  Data subject access requests (known as DSARs or SARs) are frequently the first course of action for disgruntled employees contemplating grievances or employment tribunal proceedings.    As an employer, it […]

Same-same but different: top tips on reintegrating an employee smoothly back to work following parental leave

(By an employment lawyer returning to work following maternity leave). I know my rights (of course I do), and I’ve done this before, but still the prospect of returning to work following a year of maternity leave filled me with apprehension.

Can you be fired for talking about politics at work?

Many people have very different views. Some people are keen to express their views; others would prefer to keep their politics private.

Employer guides: Should disciplinary and grievance meetings be recorded?

Well obviously, the answer is no isn’t it? Your policies probably say so. Why would you let that happen anyway?

“Being taken to an employment tribunal”: A brief guide for employers

What happens and tips for a successful outcome.