Executive and board-level employment law

Discreet. Strategic. Trusted at the top.

When an employment issue reaches the boardroom, the stakes change. The legal, reputational and financial risks are more acute. The dynamics more personal. The consequences more lasting.

Watershed advises on precisely these matters. We are regularly instructed by boards, General Counsel and C-suite leaders to help navigate employment issues involving senior figures, discreetly, intelligently and without drama.

This is not about policy enforcement. It’s about strategy, judgment and protecting your position.

Sensitive matters require experienced minds

At this level, employment law is rarely straightforward. It overlaps with governance, shareholder rights, commercial negotiations, and corporate reputation. The individuals involved are not just employees, they may be founders, directors, shareholders or public-facing leaders. The wrong step can cascade in ways that formal process alone cannot prevent.

That’s why we bring more than just legal knowledge. We bring commercial sense, calm under pressure, and the ability to advise in moments of internal tension or board-level dispute.

The situations we advise on

We are often brought in to support:

Executive exits, including those involving statutory directors and shareholders
Boardroom disputes and breakdowns in leadership trust
Allegations of misconduct at senior level, including whistleblowing and harassment
Strategic handling of performance or culture concerns involving senior individuals
Restructures and business changes with board-level implications
Discreet investigations where independence and credibility are paramount

Many of these matters are unspoken publicly, and they stay that way. We operate with absolute discretion, providing high-trust, high-impact advice to leaders under scrutiny.

Quiet expertise in difficult moments

What you won’t get from us: a junior associate compiling a report for partner review. What you will get: direct access to a senior employment lawyer who has advised on multiple boardroom crises and who understands the choreography as well as the law.

In many cases, our work is done without the rest of the organisation knowing we were ever involved. We’re not here to escalate, we’re here to resolve.

We know what’s at stake

These are not routine matters. An executive dispute may intersect with shareholder agreements, regulatory duties, or media sensitivity.   We consider all of it. Our advice is built not only on employment law, but on a close understanding of corporate governance, commercial drivers and legal reputational risk.

We’ve advised in cases involving private equity-backed businesses, listed companies, charities and public bodies. In each case, our role is the same: to help the organisation act with clarity, confidence and integrity.

Not just lawyers. Trusted counsel.

Watershed operates at the intersection of legal expertise and commercial acumen. Our lawyers are chosen not only for their technical competence, but for their ability to operate in board-level settings, where emotional intelligence, discretion and strategic awareness are as vital as doctrinal knowledge.

Our clients do not need lengthy reports. They need clear options, immediate analysis and well-judged positioning. That’s what we provide.

When to instruct us

You may wish to engage us if:

A senior employment issue is becoming politically or legally sensitive
You need clear advice on how to manage or exit a board member or statutory director
A grievance or concern has been raised about someone with significant internal influence
There is disagreement at the board level over how to handle a people issue
You require independent, credible advice for a confidential investigation

Discrimination. The Risk Behind the Process

When the temperature rises and the pressure is high, Watershed provides steady hands. We don’t seek the limelight. But we do protect your position, and help you resolve matters in ways that stand up to scrutiny and support your organisation’s long-term stability.