Caroline Baker leads the London Office's French Services, a bilingual and bicultural practice area she developed to advise francophone companies on their UK employees. She is a commercial, solutions-focused lawyer who has particular experience in advising financial services, technology and professional services employers.
Caroline has a solid track record of providing pragmatic, commercial solutions to difficult advisory matters, including disciplinary issues involving regulated or board level employees, business restructures and challenging employee relations issues (in particular where there are allegations of discrimination or whistleblowing). In 2019, she was seconded to Marsh & McLennan, assisting them through the transitional period following a high-profile acquisition. She also has significant litigation background and regularly advises on claims in the employment tribunal and high court.
Caroline is recognised in Chambers and Partners (2024) as 'co-head of the international practice at GQ|Littler and the firm's French desk”, and clients say “Caroline is fabulous to work with and comes up with pragmatic solutions, while ensuring we have the correct information and processes in place throughout."
Clients in the Legal 500 UK guide (2023) say, "We have received a professional and prompt service each and every time from Caroline Baker, who provides advice taking into consideration legal risks alongside commercial factors. The team at Littler UK, and Caroline Baker in particular, seem to truly care about our business while also providing exceptional expertise."
Caroline frequently delivers training to financial services clients and representative bodies on a broad range of areas, including workplace behaviour, compliance with the Senior Managers and Certification Regime, and Conduct Rules. Clients say "it is the extracurricular activities like these where the firm really goes above and beyond for their clients and show their value not only to us, but the insurance industry as a whole."
Additionally, Caroline is head of the Women's Leadership Initiative in London and co-leader of the initiative throughout Europe, as well as being a member of the global Women's Leadership Initiative Steering Committee, which focuses on developing and retaining women leaders at every level of the firm. She is also part of the ELA Pro Bono Committee, in which she was one of the founders of the award winning ELIPS scheme at employment tribunals across the country.
Before joining GQ|Littler in October 2011, Caroline worked at ‘Magic Circle’ law firm Slaughter and May, during which time she spent six months on secondment to French firm Bredin Prat. In 2015, she spent three months on secondment at Citibank in its Employee Relations team.