Senior Manager
Kelly Hardman
Country / Territory
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Languages
- English
- German
Contact information
Kelly is a Senior Manager (Solicitor) based in Edinburgh. Before relocating to Scotland she was based in Fragomen’s London office for over five years, She regularly represents the firm across N.Ireland, Scotland and England.
Kelly is responsible for coordinating and managing Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) immigration programmes on behalf of the firm’s largest clients. As a Single Point of Contact (SPOC), she coordinates coverage for her clients across the EMEA region and delivers strategic legal and tactical advice as well as advisory services.
Kelly has over 10 years’ experience with Fragomen. Her expertise includes advising clients daily on sponsored workers (Intra Company and Skilled Worker), actively managing sponsor licences, indefinite leave to remain (including long residence), family and dependant matters, ancestry and the EU Settlement Scheme. She regularly assists clients with complex retained rights of residence, discretionary leave to remain, adoption, domestic workers, unmarried partners and citizenship applications.
Kelly has experience in the energy, oil and gas, and shipping sectors and has particular experience in solving issues unique to offshore and maritime workers
Given the regional scope of her role, Kelly is also adept at advising clients on European immigration strategies. She has educated her clients on Posted Workers notification requirements, the EU ICT Directive, the impacts of corporate restructuring, cooling off periods and other unique regulatory considerations. In the wake of Brexit, Kelly devised tailored action plans for Brexit contingency planning to ensure her clients remained prepared.
Kelly holds a Master of Laws (LL.M) in Advanced Legal Practice (in employment law) which she applies to her immigration practice when clients encounter challenges associated with notice periods, TUPE and impacts of corporate restructurings.
Kelly is part of Fragomen's Corporate Social Responsibility and Pro Bono teams. She is also a student mentor for her alma mater and actively supports the development of Paralegals at Fragomen having trained and qualified with the firm.
Education
- University of Northumbria, Master of Laws (LL.M), Advanced Legal Practice, 2013
- University of Northumbria, Legal Practice Course, PG Dip (Law), 2011
- University of Salzburg (Paris Lodron University), Diploma in Area Studies (DAS), 2010
- Ulster University, Bachelor of Laws (LL.B), honors with Criminology , 2010
More from Kelly
Awards
Tughan’s Solicitors Award for highest achieving student in company law, 2010
Professional accomplishments
Legal Qualifications: Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales
Member, Law Society of England and Wales
Member, Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association
Member, London Irish Business Society
Experience
Conducted comparative analysis for clients to determine quickest routes possible into EU Member States for their assignees.
Frequent speaker at internal and external Brexit planning events, including town halls, seminars and conferences.
Proficient in the EU ICT Enforcement Directive and Posted Worker requirements.
Advised extensively on Business Travel within EMEA, specifically genuine travel as a visitor versus need for work authorisation and Posted Worker requirements.
Coordinated two of the firm’s largest client graduate schemes. Also experienced at providing advice on Milkround and H1B Contingency planning.
Acted on behalf of VIP clients (including actors in the film & TV industry) maintaining discretion and candour given sensitive nature of applications.
Assisted clients who had been issued international arrest warrants by liaising with criminal defence and extradition lawyers in connection with proposed travel and advising on implications/risk of travel.
Successfully assisted clients with complex and discretionary applications as a result of criminal convictions/adverse immigration history following PTSD diagnosis in extremely compelling and compassionate circumstances.
As part of Training contract, completed seats in Compliance & Sponsorship, Foreign & Consular Practice, assisted Partners, as well as a secondment to the International Family Law Group (IFLG).
Publications and lectures
Co-Author, “Guide to Navigating Immigration in the UK Energy & Maritime Sector.” Fragomen, 13 November 2024.
Author, “Critical role international workers play in meeting UK energy demands.” Global Mobility Lawyer, 24 October 2024.
Speaker, “The Immigration Conversation: Immigration Considerations in the Offshore Wind Sector.” Fragomen, Podcast, 19 May 2021.
Speaker, “The UK's Post-Brexit Immigration System: Implications for Scotland”, Holyrood, Edinburgh, Scotland, January 2020.
Contributor, “A Practical Immigration System for a post Brexit Britain.” Gerwyn Davies, CIPD, September 2019.
Speaker, “Responses to Immigration White Paper Round Table” CIPD, Edinburgh & Glasgow, Scotland, August 2019.
Speaker, “Navigating Brexit.” The Recruitment & Employment Confederation workshop, Edinburgh, Scotland, May 2019.
Speaker, “Navigating Brexit.” The Recruitment & Employment Confederation workshop, Belfast, Northern Ireland, April 2019.
Kelly’s insights
November 13, 2024 | Fragomen news
October 24, 2024 | Media mentions
October 10, 2024 | Conference
