Rachel has two distinct areas of experience and expertise. As an employment lawyer, she brings a common-sense perspective to complex problems and is well versed in resolving employment and commercial issues strategically, using negotiation, mediation and litigation. As a qualified workplace mediator with a client base that includes both businesses and their executives, she is experienced in advising on exit strategy negotiations and in tribunal claims.
In addition, Rachel has an industry-leading specialism in the horseracing and equine world, acting for a range of businesses and individuals in the sector, including Turf TV and the European Breeders’ Fund, on a wide range of legal issues, often where industry knowledge is required. She is also personally involved in the racing industry as an owner and former amateur jockey.
Rachel brings value, commercial insight and a client’s perspective to HR issues having spent a period as a main board director of British horseracing’s administrators, Weatherbys. She also delivers leadership and people skills training to the British Racing School’s trainers’ licensing courses.
Rachel is a founder member of Women in Racing and a member of the Employment Lawyers Association.
In all seriousness, I could not have got through last year without your help and wise and honest counsel. I feel like I closed a chapter with the appropriate amount of fight and am ready to move on leaving it all behind. So thank you.
Senior Employee
Financial Services CompanyA big thank you for all your help. When you need a solicitor you need someone with clarity, clear direction and sense of calm. You have been all those three things and I am very grateful indeed.
Senior Employee
I have enjoyed talking with you and have appreciated the friendly and timely manner with which you dealt with this matter.
Engineer
Technology CompanyRachel Flynn of Keystone Law has an excellent understanding of the horse racing industry and an ability to cut through the 'legal speak' and present options clearly. The project for the European Breeders Fund was thoroughly researched and delivered on time.
Kerry Murphy, Chief Executive
European BreedersPragmatic, practical and responsive, Rachel understands our business and is always commercial in her approach. I would recommend her for employment work, particularly to anyone involved in horse racing.
Adrian Ford, CEO
Turf TVRachel and I struck up an immediate rapport and she was an extremely helpful adviser and confidante in what proved to be a long negotiation requiring patience but also perseverance. Rachel was always available and prepared to meet locally or in London to suit. She was quick to respond with helpful and practical changes or contract amendments as well as important legal ones. It was also a pleasure to work with a solicitor who was prepared to look for the big issues rather than nit-picking items. The final solution was achieved amicably and successfully with both parties satisfied.
Bill Dastur, Finance Director
Cambridge-based CompanyI was truly grateful for your help and equine expertise- sometimes peace of mind requires more than just a handshake!
Julia Hammond, Owner
International Showjumper“Rachel was knowledgeable and yet had a very practical approach that cut through the issues and got things resolved satisfactorily. Having used two other employment lawyers I would strongly recommend Rachel - she definitely stands out for me."
Mark Cusack
Whilst nobody wants to find themselves needing employment law advice, when it happens you need someone that not only knows the law but understands the impact such situations have on individuals. Rachel Flynn has been a pleasure to work with, a great combination of legal expertise with pragmatism and a touch of humour just at the right time. I would definitely recommend working with Rachel and the team at Keystone Law.
Jayne Oates
Executive Director, People & PerformanceThank you very much for everything, your help was extremely useful. Thanks to your advice I felt safe and signed the agreement today
Senior Employee
Leading Technology CompanyRachel Flynn’s pragmatic and practical approach to our employment law issue, combined with her knowledge of the racing and breeding industry, led to a quick, efficient and satisfactory resolution. I would recommend her to anyone with a similar issue
Oliver Gaisford-St. Lawrence
Stud Manager, Aislabie Stud
Expertise
Employment
- Settlement agreements
- Dismissal, disciplinary, and grievance procedures
- Employment documentation including terms and conditions of employment, staff handbooks, directors service agreements, and consultancy agreements
- Employment law training and workshops
- Restructuring and redundancy
- TUPE and outsourcing and tenders
- Defending and bringing employment tribunal claims
- Discrimination, unfair dismissal,and wrongful dismissal claims
- Redundancy, restructuring, and outsourcing
Horseracing and equine
- Disputes relating to the sale and purchase of horses
- Veterinary negligence claims
- Recovery of debts including livery fees, stallion nomination fees, and training fees
- Bloodstock and equine contracts including sale agreements, syndication agreements, foal share agreements, and multiple ownership schemes
- Terms of business
- Health and safety in the equine industry
Experience
Employment
- Advising on restrictive covenants and negotiating the exit of a director on agreed terms within 48 hours
- Successfully defending in the employment tribunal a claim by the former MD for unpaid wages
- Dealing with the management and exit of an employee raising multiple complaints of discrimination and several grievances
- Strategic commercial advice on issues arising from an intended team move
- Advised an educational institution on challenging employment issues
- Advised Racing UK, Turf TV and RMG on various employment issues
- Strategic TUPE advice for a leading stud farm
Horseracing and equine
- Principal legal advisors to the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, providing a legal advice helpline to their 2,500 members
- Legal advisors to the European Breeders’ Fund, advising on strategic constitutional issues and internal restructure
- Acting for a leading UK stud in relation to a dispute with Tattersalls over the sale of a horse in training
- Advised a well-known Newmarket stud farm on various thorny employment law issues
- Advised Jockey Club Racecourses on a diverse range of legal issues
- Dealing with professional negligence claims against veterinary surgeons and negotiating settlements with the Veterinary Defence Society
- Advising on contracts for the sale and training of international show jumper
- Advising on a contract for sale and part ownership of a valuable broodmare prospect to the US
- Dealing with insurance claims relating to first-season infertility of stallions
- Successfully defending at trial a tribunal claim against a Newmarket stud
- Speaker at British Horseracing Authority trainers’ course on leadership skills
- Advising the Thoroughbred Breeders’Association and British Horseracing Authority on their guide, ‘Healthand Safety in the Racing and Breeding Industry‘
- Acted for a leading and acquisitive force in the global horse racing, breeding and bloodstock world
- Acted for a leading racehorse trainer regarding their intended proposed changes to the horse racing industry standard staff employment contract to reflect their own modern working practices
- Acted for a horse racing related charitable housing organisation based in Newmarket, which was planning a restructure of one of its divisions and had received initial advice on the employment implications of its intended proposal
- Continue to advise the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association on a wide variety of legal enquiries on behalf of its 3000 members
- Acted for a high profile major Newmarket based stud owner in relation to employment law advice
- Advised on a dispute over the sale of a leisure horse for a significant sum in circumstances where buyer and seller had their names and reputations to protect but the horse was unsatisfactory for veterinary reasons and owing to its unpredictable behaviour
Charities
- Managed out longstanding CEO of large charity in sensitive circumstances requiring tact, diplomacy and strategic negotiation skills. This allowed the charity to manage their departure and the CEO to leave in an organised way with dignity
- Providing The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association’s legal assistance to a members’ telephone advice scheme to its 2,500 thoroughbred breeder members
- Advising within 24 hours in writing on the employment implications of a proposed reorganisation/restructure between two related charities
- Provided guidance to The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association members on child and vulnerable adult safeguarding.
- Advised on changes to the constitution of The Racing Foundation
Agricultural
- Advised on one of the biggest stud farm purchases of the last 30 years
- Advising on the employment and bloodstock work for a stud farm
Please note: The experience list above may include examples of work completed prior to joining Keystone Law.
Recognition
Recognised by The Legal 500 (2020-2023) for Sport
Recognised in Chambers UK 2023 for Sport: Horse Racing & Equestrian
“Rachel’s knowledge of the racing sector is second to none. She is extremely approachable and commercially savvy.” Chambers UK 2023
“Rachel provides us with expert and pragmatic advice.” Chambers UK 2023
Recognised in Chambers UK 2022 for Sport: Horse Racing & Equestrian
“She stayed very focused on the task at hand and handled some difficult conversations well.” Chambers UK 2022
“Rachel Flynn has a unique understanding of TB racing/breeding industry.” The Legal 500 2022
Recognised by Chambers UK 2021 for Sport: Horse Racing & Equestrian
“She gives good, practical advice and she provides quick responses.” Chambers UK 2021
“Rachel Flynn brings considerable expertise of someone who knows the racing world from the inside but an energy and determination which was exceptional. She stands out as a strategist by possessing the rare ability to combine expertise with impeccable judgement in litigation.” Legal 500 2021
Rachel Flynn has a specialist focus on the horse racing industry and acts for businesses and trainers on the full range of issues arising in the field. Clients say she is “thorough, pragmatic and understands the industry,” adding: “She is very good at getting to the point and simplifying complex issues.” Chambers UK 2020
Rachel Flynn of Keystone Law is praised for her “pragmatic and empathetic” approach to horse-racing matters, with sources noting that “she understands this industry inside out and upside-down.” Chambers UK 2019
Recognised by The Legal 500 2018 for Sport
“Quick, practical, clear communicator” Legal 500 2018
“Extremely helpful” Legal 500 2018
“Really understands the industry and cuts through to the key issues” Legal 500 2018
Consultant solicitor Rachel Flynn of Keystone Law is singled out by sources for her deep experience and practical approach. She specialises in terms of business, data rights and employment issues. She recently assisted the Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association with its legal helpline, which provides assistance for its 3,000 UK members. Chambers UK 2018
Rachel Flynn is recognised by the Legal 500 2017.
Clients say Rachel Flynn of Keystone Law stands out for her “ability to cut through the legal speak and explain options in layman’s terms,” as well as her “excellent understanding of the bloodstock industry and horse racing.” She recently advised Racing UK and the British Racing School on various employment and safety issues. Chambers UK 2017
Speaker at 2012 National Annual Equine Law Conference in Kentucky; British Equine Veterinary Association Annual Congress 2012 and Winter Conference 2011; British Racing School’s trainers’ and supervisory management courses & Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association, Country Landowners’ Association, Agricultural Law Association and National Stud courses. Published: Horace Hayes’ ‘bible’ Veterinary Notes for Horse Owners and Westlaw Encyclopaedia on the subject of ‘horses’.
Consistently top-rated in Legal 500 and Chambers for horseracing and bloodstock.
Legal 500: ‘particularly excellent; her knowledge and expertise in the industry are unparalleled’, ‘efficient and effective’ and ‘knows the bloodstock industry like the back of her hand’. Also rated a rising star for employment work.
Career
Rachel qualified as a solicitor in 1994. Prior to joining Keystone Law in 2015, she worked at Taylor Vinters.