About

Karen is a Partner in our Employment team.

A highly experienced employment lawyer with almost 20 years’ expertise, Karen advises employers on all aspects of employment law, acting as a trusted advisor to global general counsel, HR leaders and executive teams across a wide range of businesses both in the UK and based internationally.

Karen provides tailored, solutions-driven advice to clients. Her work includes managing complex employee relations issues, senior UK hires and exits, and broader organisational change. She also has considerable expertise advising on the people-related aspects of corporate transactions, and regularly acts as lead employment counsel on mergers, acquisitions and investments.

She is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association and has served two terms as a non-executive director on its management committee.

Contact Karen

Recognition

  • "Karen Mortenson is a really talented lawyer, with great legal knowledge and judgment. She provides a first-class service for her clients, and misses nothing."

    Legal 500

Publications

  • Future of Work: Employment and Immigration Update Seminar Slides

    These slides summarise key insights from The Future of Work: A New Era – Employment and Immigration Seminar. They highlight the most significant upcoming changes in UK employment and immigration law, including the Employment Rights Bill, hybrid working practices, AI in the workplace, and Skilled Worker visa reforms. Designed for employers and HR professionals, the slides provide practical guidance on preparing for these developments, helping organisations stay compliant and strategically ready for the evolving workplace landscape.

    Download now

  • Employment Rights Bill: Emerging Trends & Considerations

    At our recent HR Conversations roundtable, we explored the key changes proposed under the Employment Rights Bill and their potential impact on employers and HR teams.

    This summary outlines the current legal position, anticipated reforms, and practical steps organisations can take to prepare. Topics covered include:

    Topics covered include:

    • The new day-one right not to be unfairly dismissed
    • The future of fire and rehire practices

    • Evolving responsibilities around DEI and workplace culture

    • Flexible working requests and hybrid work models

    • The increasing role of AI in the workplace

    Download the full summary below for insights and actionable recommendations from our Employment Law team.

    Download now

  • The proactive duty to prevent sexual harassment: What do employers need to know?

    From 26 October 2024, employers will have a new legal obligation to “take reasonable steps” to prevent sexual harassment. Here we explain how the law is changing, sanctions for non-compliance and what you can be doing now to prepare for the new duty in the run-up to October and beyond.

    Download now

  • CB-Employment-Immigration-overview-visual

    Employment and Immigration Expertise

    An overview of our Employment and Immigration services.

    Download now

  • CB-Employment-overview-visual-1920x1280

    Employment lawyers

    An overview of our Employment services. Our Employment Lawyers work closely with many types of clients across a wide range of sectors providing advice on a variety of issues, whether they are HR-related, strategic, complex or contentious.

    Download now

  • Employment and Immigration Expertise for Financial Services

    An overview of our Employment and Immigration services within the financial services sector.

    Download now

  • Advice for senior executives

    Conflicts at work can be distressing and daunting for a variety of reasons and trying to deal with them on your own is difficult. We can help to clarify the situation for you by providing clear, practical and confidential guidance.

    Download now

  • Employing domestic staff in the UK

    This guide sets out the key legal considerations when hiring domestic staff in the UK and seeks to help you build an employment relationship that is both effective and compliant.

    Download now

  • Screenshot

    How to deal with a statutory flexible working request

    Collyer Bristow’s Employment team has prepared a useful step-by-step flowchart for employers, guiding them through the complex process of dealing with a statutory flexible working request from an employee.

    Download now

  • Company secretarial

    IR35: An overview of the changes

    An overview of the IR35 tax rules now extending to the private sector. For affected contractors and businesses using their services, there are now significant tax and practical consequences.

    Download now

Karen Mortenson

Qualification 2006

Specialising in...

About

Karen is a Partner in our Employment team.

A highly experienced employment lawyer with almost 20 years’ expertise, Karen advises employers on all aspects of employment law, acting as a trusted advisor to global general counsel, HR leaders and executive teams across a wide range of businesses both in the UK and based internationally.

Karen provides tailored, solutions-driven advice to clients. Her work includes managing complex employee relations issues, senior UK hires and exits, and broader organisational change. She also has considerable expertise advising on the people-related aspects of corporate transactions, and regularly acts as lead employment counsel on mergers, acquisitions and investments.

She is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association and has served two terms as a non-executive director on its management committee.

Recognition

  • "Karen Mortenson is a really talented lawyer, with great legal knowledge and judgment. She provides a first-class service for her clients, and misses nothing."

    Legal 500

Insights, News & Events

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