Kelly Thomson

Partner, ESG strategy lead

Kelly leads our ESG strategy offering and works with employers across a wide range of sectors from retail and consumer to tech, media, and insurance. A specialist in employment law and practice, her work frequently focuses on the people aspects of complex reorganisations and restructurings. This includes advising on board-level people issues, employee and trade union engagement, and providing strategic DEI advice. She is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association and Women in ESG.

“I work as a true extension of my clients' teams – be they legal, HR, business, or executive - and am comfortable working with anyone and everyone. I value diversity of thought and am adept in bringing together different points of view and considerations to solve clients' problems in the most effective way. I am a technical expert in my field, but know how to translate that into real world practical advice.

Openness and transparency are fundamental to my approach. I am very focused on ensuring each client's preferences are known, honoured, and embedded into our systems and processes. Any issues are dealt with proactively and in the moment.

I am always putting myself in the clients’ shoes. I get to know my clients as individuals and make it my job to understand their organisations, help them solve problems, and grasp opportunities. I am down to earth, empathetic, and passionate about my work. I love my job and consider getting to know my clients to be a privilege.

Kelly’s recent work highlights:

Exclusive employment law partner for the BRC's D&I Charter, working with over 80 retailers on their DEI strategies.

Advising England Lacrosse on their trans inclusion strategy in relation to their participation rules.

Advising a large industrial organisation in navigating a number of strategic restructuring projects whilst dealing with significant trade union complexities.

Directory quotes

"Kelly Thomson – wonderful, dynamic." - Legal 500 UK 2024

"Kelly Thompson’s experience and knowledge of equality, diversity and inclusion work is second to none. Kelly goes beyond simply advising you on the ‘legals’ of the situation, but provides a holistic view of the practical, commercial and human considerations." - The Legal 500 2023

"Kelly Thomson is superb in both her legal and commercial analysis and judgement. She takes the time to understand our business objectives and to understand the motives and objectives of the individuals concerned. This leads to rounded and tailored advice." - The Legal 500 2023

Recommended - The Legal 500 UK 2022

"Kelly Thomson is a very capable, highly professional and responsive individual. Provides timely and clear strategies to employment issues raised." - The Legal 500 UK 2022

"Kelly Thompson is outstanding – her very thorough understanding of the law, combined with empathy and pragmatism, give me complete confidence in her advice and guidance." - The Legal 500 UK 2022

"Kelly Thomson is astute in reading the room and getting the right timbre on things – she acts as a co-pilot with Patrick and put my CEO immediately at ease (no mean feat!). I have worked with so many great employment law firms over the past 24 years but RPC stands out." - The Legal 500 UK 2021

"Kelly Thomson not only has excellent technical skills and commercial focus but also goes out of her way to develop strong relationships with and between clients and collaborate on topics of mutual interest." - The Legal 500 UK 2021

"The practice is led by Patrick Brodie, who has a strong track record of big-ticket litigation and led the team acting for executive search firm Egon Zehnder on the aforementioned case. He works alongside 'passionate' and 'approachable' legal director Kelly Thomson, advising an impressive list of household name clients across sectors including insurance, utilities, services and retail." - The Legal 500 UK 2020

Finalist for Solicitor of the Year - Inspirational Women of the Year Awards, First 100 Years, 2019

“very personable” - The Legal 500 UK 2019

“always gives very thoughtful and practical advice” and “[with] a passion for getting to know your business and to give advice with full context". - The Legal 500 UK 2019

"Provides consistently reliable and practical advice". - The Legal 500 UK 2018

"Technically brilliant legal director" Kelly Thomson is also recommended - The Legal 500 UK 2016

"Excellent communicator" - The Legal 500 UK 2015