Akshay Chauhan

Akshay Chauhan is a senior associate in Goodwin’s Employment practice. He advises clients on issues in all areas of contentious and non-contentious employment law. He also regularly counsels clients on the employment law aspects of corporate acquisitions and reorganisations and in relation to employment disputes and complex employee investigations.

Akshay represents a variety of clients across a wide range of sectors. He has significant experience advising on the employment aspects of high-value and complex corporate transactions, start-up and seed funding negotiations, employee transfers, executive exits, enforcing restrictive covenants and data protection issues in relation to UK-based employees. He has particular experience advising business leaders on harmonising employees’ terms and conditions, cross-border reorganisations, negotiating senior executives’ terms of employment and departures, grievances and disciplinary matters and day-to-day employment issues.

Akshay maintains an active pro bono practice which includes representing clients before English social security tribunals and advising charities on employment matters. Akshay is also responsible for the firm’s relationship with a local legal advice centre.

Akshay’s representative experience includes:

• Vicebio – Advised Vicebio on its acquisition by Sanofi for up to $1.6 billion
• SevenRooms – Advised SevenRooms on the UK employment aspects of its acquisition by DoorDash for $1.2 billion.
• ICG – Advised ICG Europe’s Mid-Market Fund II on its partnership with Hakim Group, the UK’s largest group of opticians and audiologists
• Teleflex – Advised Teleflex Incorporated on its acquisition of substantially all of BIOTRONIK’s Vascular Intervention Business for €760 Million
• TLC Worldwide – Advised TLC Worldwide on its investment from bd-capital to accelerate growth across new and existing geographies and products
• Pento – Advised Pento on its sale to HiBob
• Mayfair Equity Partners – Advised Mayfair Equity Partners on its acquisition of TrustedHousesitters, a category-defining, subscription-based pet-sitting and travel community, from Rockpool Investments
• H.I.G. Capital – Advised H.I.G. Capital on its acquisition of the entire issued share capital of CLC Group, a leading UK provider of property and asset refurbishment, from its owner, the Armitage Family Trust
• Tessian – Advised Tessian on a definitive agreement to be acquired by Proofpoint
• Partners Group – Advised on employment matters relating to the acquisition of Chestertons UK, one of London’s largest and oldest estate agents  
• Graphite Capital – Advised on employment matters relating to its acquisition of Storal Learning, one of the highest-quality nursery operators in the UK
• Ten Eleven Ventures – Advised on employment matters related to its investment in Device Authority
• A number of UK start-ups - Negotiated service arrangements with an employer of record provider on behalf of UK start-ups and conglomerates establishing businesses in the UK
• A technology company - Coordinated the harmonization of employee terms on a cross-border carve-out and acquisition for a UK-based technology company
• A teleconferencing company - Advised a teleconferencing company on the reorganisation of its workforce and issues related to the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations 2006
• A private equity company – Advised on the employment aspects of acquiring a high street restaurant and take-away business
• Venture Capital funds – Advised various venture capital funds and early stage investors on founder employment agreements
• Negotiated the departure of senior executives across a range of industries including life sciences, technology, funds and private equity
• Advised on a multi-jurisdictional project putting in place global employment contracts, handbooks and policies
• Advised a healthcare company on complex employee grievances and investigation process
• Advised a technology start-up on a constructive dismissal employment tribunal claim
• Advised media streaming company on its acquisition of a key copyrights and trademarks company*
• Advised a talent agency on the enforceability of restrictive covenants for various key employees*
• Implemented and advised on dismissing and replacing the management team of a luxury fashion company*
• Advised a US conglomerate on UK equal pay liability issues*

* Denotes experience prior to joining Goodwin

Akshay is a member of the Employment Lawyers Association, the European Employment Lawyers Association, the International Association of Young Lawyers and the International Employment Lawyer.

Akshay is recognized by the Legal 500 UK 2025 and 2026 as a Key Lawyer for Employment. Akshay is described as “outstanding… strategic, thoughtful, highly supportive to the lay-client and to the advocate” and “calm and compassionate… in the most stressful imaginable situation.”

Akshay is listed in the Pro Bono Recognition List 2025 for his pro bono contributions.

Akshay’s recent publications include:

• Co-Author, “Neonatal Care – Expansion of UK Statutory Family Leave Entitlements” Goodwin Client Alert, 19 March 2025
• Co-Author, “Non-financial Misconduct and Culture: A Reminder for FCA-Regulated Firms in the UK” Goodwin Client Alert, 12 February 2025
• Co-Author, “Horizon Scanning: UK Employment Law Developments 2025” Goodwin Client Alert, 10 January 2025
• Co-Author, “UK General Election: Key Employment-Related Manifesto Pledges,” Goodwin Client Alert, June 2024
• Co-Author, “Employment Status — A View From Both Sides of the Pond,” Goodwin Insight, March 2024
• Contributor “Bereavement leave reforms put spotlight on manager training,” International Employment Lawyer, 2 October 2025
• Co-Author, “Building out a Startup – Attracting Talent on The Right Terms,” Startups Magazine, June 2024