Bernie is a partner and, as head of employment rights, responsible for managing all employment rights teams across Thompsons' network of offices in England and Wales.

Bernie is well known for his in depth employment law knowledge and regularly gives talks and presentations and has been a guest speaker for a number of organisations, including the Institute of Employment Rights.

Bernie has specialised in employment law throughout his legal career, which began in 1995 at Merseyside Trade Union Centre. He joined Thompsons in 2000, attracted by the firm’s unique commitment to only ever represent claimants, and has been managing employment teams within the firm since 2003. Bernie became a partner in 2017, regional managing partner in 2021 and was promoted to head of employment rights in February 2023.

Bernie has dealt with virtually every type of employment tribunal case, from disability discrimination to unfair dismissal. Bernie relishes taking on companies or organisations abusing trade union rights, and his clients value him as a supportive and effective champion.  

Bernie is proud of Thompsons championing of trade unionists and trade union rights, and finds the work the firm does rewarding due to its being political, pioneering and valuable to those it represents.

Bernie is a board member and vice chair of the charity, Merseyside Law Centre, which provides free legal advice, assistance and representation for housing, welfare benefits and asylum claims.

When he is not defending workers’ rights, Bernie unwinds by cycling, travelling and watching Everton football club.

 

 Bernie's case experience

  • Secured significant compensation for pension loss for transferred employees who had been unfairly dismissed in connection with the transfer of undertakings (TUPE) in BT plc v Adamson & ors.
  • Won a claim for a client who suffered a detriment for taking part in trade union activities in University of Bolton v Corrigan.
  • Successfully concluded a case for over 8,000 PCS members who were denied time off for trade union activities at the Home Office. 
  • Acted for the claimant in a successful claim of unfair dismissal and disability discrimination in the reported successful EAT case Wheeley v University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Trust UKEAT/0259/18/DA.
  • Won an unfair dismissal claim for the Branch Chair of the FBU following a five day contested hearing. The tribunal subsequently made a very rare order of reinstatement.

 

Testimonials

The support and advice that Bernie Wentworth of Thompsons Solicitors provided to me throughout my employment tribunal case was immense. Every step of the procedure was truly professional, engaged and highly knowledgeable. An excellent outcome was the result of a first class legal team’s advice.

Jane Corrigan, Bernie's former client

With the assistance of Thompsons Solicitors and support from the Fire Brigades Union, we began the difficult and lengthy process of applying for reinstatement through the employment tribunal process. Nearly three years after I was initially suspended, following a successful outcome at the employment tribunal, I was reinstated to my position as a firefighter with all loss of earnings and pension rights reinstated.  Thompsons Solicitors were excellent at every stage of the process; their professionalism and support was fundamental in our victory. Bernie Wentworth, in particular, deserves praise for not only his professionalism and supportive attitude, but also for taking the time to apprise me of every single tiny detail every step of the way.

Kevin Hughes, Bernie's former client