Sharon is a Partner in the Employment department with significant experience advising on all aspects of contentious and non-contentious employment law.
She brings a commercial and strategic approach to the increasing array of employment issues that clients face, and is adept at handling matters ranging from investigations, executive contract negotiations/exit arrangements, business restructurings and redundancies to Remuneration Code issues and the operation of forfeiture provisions (malus and claw-back).
Sharon has particular expertise in complex, high-value Employment Tribunal disputes, and High Court litigation, including team moves and the enforcement of restrictive covenants, as well as bonus, discrimination and whistleblowing claims. She has advised LLPs on partnership matters and is well-versed in the issues that affect their members. She also has a breadth of experience advising on the employment aspects of domestic and multi-jurisdictional corporate transactions, and in managing international projects involving complex legal issues and sensitive business considerations.
Her client base spans multiple business sectors and includes financial and private equity institutions, manufacturers, insurers, sporting organisations, charitable foundations and online businesses. Clients range from well-known global brands and internationally listed organisations to entrepreneurial businesses.
Recognised as a leading employment lawyer by Chambers UK and Legal 500, Sharon is the subject of excellent reviews, with clients and peers citing her in these publications as “a tremendously clever lawyer” who is “really on the ball”, "supportive and commercial" and “on top of the case”. Chambers UK states: 'Sharon Tan has a comprehensive grasp of the entire spectrum of employment law, attaining effusive recommendations from senior market sources. To cite one client, "she gets the relevant points very quickly and takes time to understand our business."' Sharon is also one of only two employment lawyers to be named in The Lawyer Hot 100 2016 and has been recognised by Who's Who Legal: Labour, Employment & Benefits every year since 2016 as a leading practitioner in the employment law field.
She speaks regularly at employment law seminars and conferences and is a member of the Employment Lawyers’ Association.
Sharon also advises on data privacy and data security laws, and the creation and deployment of data privacy programmes, with a particular focus on the applicability of such laws to the personal data of employees. Her data privacy practice has won her recognition as a key practitioner in Legal 500.
Through Mishcon de Reya's membership of Sport Resolutions Pro Bono Service, Sharon assists individuals without charge before Sport Resolutions panels and other NGB tribunals.
Key Experience
- Sharon is a seasoned litigator in the Employment Tribunal, the High Court and the appellate courts, having acted for many clients in connection with claims involving allegations such as discrimination, whistleblowing and breach of contract. She also has extensive experience of handling claims for injunctive relief, the enforcement of restrictive covenants and on-going duties of confidentiality.
- Sharon has advised on numerous high-profile corporate transactions, outsourcings and business restructurings, many of which have involved an international dimension and complex TUPE issues.
- She also provides commercial and strategic advice to many corporate clients about their employment law and HR matters, frequently in relation to senior executives or other business critical issues.
Career History
Partner, Mishcon de Reya LLP
Partner, McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP
Associate, McDermott Will & Emery UK LLP
Associate, Allen & Overy LLP
Trainee Solicitor, Allen & Overy LLP