Birketts LLP‘s team has ‘a great and growing charity law practice; the team is very responsive and knowledgeable’. The Ipswich office is the key hub of related expertise, and is home to charity law specialist and practice head Liz Brownsell, who is ‘always on hand to give quick, practical advice in a responsive and tailored manner’. Employment expert Sonya O’Reilly also plays a key role in the practice, as do senior associate Jennifer Marley and legal director Louisa Saunders, who both assist with incorporation, governance, commercial and land-related matters.
Charities and not-for-profit in East Anglia
Birketts LLP
Responsables de la pratique:
Liz Brownsell
Autres avocats clés:
Sonya O’Reilly; Amy Bradburne; Jennifer Marley; Louisa Saunders
Les références
‘Birketts have a great and growing charity law practice; the team is very responsive and knowledgeable, with lower rates than London firms; their fee arrangements are always clear, upfront and transparent.’
‘I have worked with Liz Brownsell for many years; she is very knowledgeable, abreast of the latest developments in charity law and regulation, and always on-hand to give quick, practical advice in a responsive and tailored manner. Her client care is exceptional.’
‘The practice ensures it has a good understanding of the operation of our organisation, the needs and challenges that we face. There is a good diversity of strength within each respective team.’
Principaux clients
Amnesty International
Barnardo’s
Trust for London
The UK Cyber Security Council
The Institution of Engineering and Technology
What Works for Early Intervention and Children’s Social Care
Child Health Research CIO
The Royal Academy of Arts
The Diocese of London
The Royal Horticultural Society
National Institute of Agricultural Botany (NIAB)
London Diocesan Fund
East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices
East Anglian Air Ambulance
Quadram Institute of Biosciences
The All Saints Educational Trust
St Mary’s West Kensington
Margate Creative Land Trust
St Elizabeth Hospice
Priscilla Bacon Norfolk Hospice Care Ltd
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Amnesty International on a major governance reform project, following a governance review report presented to the International Board.
- Advised What Works for Children’s Social Care on its merger with the Early Intervention Foundation to become ‘What Works for Early Intervention and Children’s Social Care’, which completed in December 2022.
- Advising The UK Cyber Security Council on its transfer to Royal Charter status as a new professional membership charity established to raise and regulate standards of practice within the cyber security industry, having previously advised on its establishment and on its application for a Royal Charter.
Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP
The Cambridge office at Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP is a key hub for its national charities practice and is the base of head of the firm-wide group Stephen O’Reilly, who provides ‘prompt, sensible legal advice and always appreciates the wider business context'. He is supported by senior associate Martyn Robinson, who ‘displays excellent technical and broader industry knowledge'. The firm has a stellar roster of clients, among them The National Film and Television School and Our Future Health. Robinson recently assisted the FIA Foundation with governance matters, while O’Reilly advised Every Youth, newly-branded successor to End Youth Homelessness, on establishing itself as a stand-alone entity.
Responsables de la pratique:
Stephen O’Reilly
Autres avocats clés:
Martyn Robinson
Les références
‘We worked closely with Martyn Robinson on developing the company’s constitutional arrangements. Martyn was responsive, displayed excellent technical and broader industry knowledge, and ensured we had a smooth and rapid pathway to completing the necessary arrangements.’
‘Aware of trends and insights in the charity sector.’
‘Stephen O’Reilly provides prompt, sensible legal advice and always appreciates the wider business context. He has an ability to appropriately assess risk and help steer clients who are new to charity laws.’
Principaux clients
Our Future Health
FIA Foundation
Turning Point
Quality by Randomization Limited (trading as Protas)
Barchester Healthcare Foundation
Towards Zero Foundation
Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club
National Oceanography Centre
The National Film and Television School
Richmond, The American International University in London, Inc
Mills & Reeve LLP
The charities and social enterprise practice at Mills & Reeve LLP advises an impressive array of charity clients, among them the Francis Crick Institute, The Children’s Trust and the Institution of Engineering and Technology. 'Exceptional lawyer' and practice head Neil Burton, charity finance-focused Sarah Seed, fundraising specialist Dona Ardeman, and employment expert Nicola Brown are some of the key practitioners to note in the Cambridge office. The team stands out for its ability to ‘clearly identify risks and best approaches'. Principal associate Nathalie Jacoby-Danesh moved to Browne Jacobson LLP in April 2023.
Responsables de la pratique:
Neil Burton
Autres avocats clés:
Sarah Seed; Dona Ardeman; Nicola Brown; Mark Ashton
Les références
‘The practice is able to respond and provide opinion at very short notice without compromising the quality of the advice. It is able to work with its own specialist teams to provide seamless and comprehensive advice. It is very mindful of the scope of what is being asked and does not exceed costs by providing additional advice without checking this is required and wanted. The firm is also very flexible efficient in billing.’
‘The individuals are very experienced and good at identifying the key arguments. They do not view it is a transactional process but think holistically about what information, if available, may support or enhance key points. They clearly identify risks and best approaches, meaning decisions made and steps taken are based on the client’s appetite for risk.’
‘The team quickly grasps the organisational position and will listen and give a balanced view on alternative approaches. Nicola Brown gives well-rounded advice on complex issues.’
Principaux clients
Coalition of Epidemic Preparedness Innovation (CEPI)
Childrens Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF)
Institution of Engineering and Technology
Henry Smith Charity
Francis Crick Institute
Cornwall Care
RAF Benevolent Fund
The Children’s Trust
IMechE
Royal Institute Chartered Surveyors
St Dunstan’s Educational Foundation
Principaux dossiers
- Advised CIFF on a wide-range of charity, governance, funds, regulatory, tax, corporate and commercial matters.
- Advised the charity trustees of Cornwall Care Limited on its charity disposal /merger to Sanctuary, which included charity trustee duties; disposal rules; and governance issues.
- Advising the IET on charity law and constitutional matters; trading subsidiaries, governance and corporate issues such as intra-group arrangements and associated tax aspects; overseas not-for-profit branches; and offering strategic advice to the board.
BDB Pitmans
The Cambridge-based practice at BDB Pitmans provides ‘creative thinking and practical solutions, and is able to deal with complex issues'. The firm provides a diverse range of services to its charity sector clients including advising on property transactions, employment, fundraising-related matters and data protection. Senior associate Kate Parkinson, who is ‘very quick to grasp complex sets of facts to provide practical, client-driven advice‘, is the standout lawyer in East Anglia. She assisted the Ruth Strauss Foundation with contractual arrangements and regulatory matters.
Autres avocats clés:
Kate Parkinson
Les références
‘In-depth charities experience, creative thinking and practical solutions, and is able to deal with complex issues.’
‘Kate Parkinson stands out as a go-to advisor for charity clients.’
‘I feel that the people we deal with at BDB Pitmans understand our needs very well and adjust their ways of working to accommodate us.’
Principaux clients
The Institution of Engineering and Technology
Internet Watch Foundation
The Cambridge Commonwealth, European and International Trust
Margaret Beaufort Institute of Theology
Ruth Strauss Foundation
Relate
Norfolk and Norwich Association for the Blind
Punctum Books
The History of Parliament Trust
Principaux dossiers
- Advised the Institution of Engineering and Technology in various matters, including its relationship with its members, as well as considerations around governance and restricted funds.
- Advised the Ruth Strauss Foundation on all aspects of its governance , including producing precedent documents, and on various fundraising initiatives throughout the year.
- Advising the Internet Watch Foundation in extending its HQ space, representative of its growing importance and reach.
HCR Hewitsons
The cross-office education and charities practice at HCR Hewitsons is regarded as being ‘very good at applying the charity regulations and understanding the aims and aspirations that clients hold’. Practice head Virginia Henley works from both Central England and Cambridge, the latter is also the base of agriculture and estates partner Denise Wilkinson, who is ‘exceptional in her range of knowledge and provides clear and reasoned advice’. Employment partner Elizabeth Swinburn is also active for charity clients. Susanne Hinde departed for Howes Percival LLP in April 2023.
Responsables de la pratique:
Virginia Henley
Autres avocats clés:
Denise Wilkinson; Elizabeth Swinburn
Les références
‘We have had a long association with HCR Hewitsons. They understand the organisation, and have been involved in its development over the years. While the main relationship is for advice on corporate governance issues, we always know that we can seek wider expertise across the firm. My experience when I have done so is that the quality of advice and support is always good.’
‘HCR Hewitsons are very good at applying the charity regulations to our specific organisation and understanding the aims and aspirations that we hold.’
‘Denise Wilkinson is exceptional in her range of knowledge and applying this to the specific property-related issues that we require. She is able to draw on a diverse range of specialisms to provide clear and reasoned advice.’
Principaux clients
The Gertrude Homes
Charity Commission (IRFI)
Jesus College, Cambridge
Cherry Hinton Almshouse Charity
Needham’s Foundation
Visit Cambridge
Mrs Ann Dutton’s Charity
National Hair and Beauty Federation
Downing College, Cambridge
The Middleton Centre
Reach for Health
Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge
Cambridge Boathouse Limited
Wood Green Animal Shelters
Soham Moor Old Grammar School
Stuntney Village Hall
Principaux dossiers
- Advised The Gertrude Homes in complex correspondence with the Charity Commission regarding a cy-pres application and changes to the constitution via a Charity Commission scheme.
- Advised the Charity Commission in reviewing the governance arrangements of the charity and making recommendations as to future viability of necessary changes in structure and approach to ensure legal compliance.
- Advised Jesus College, Cambridge in connection with governance and a significant new project.
Mishcon de Reya LLP
Mishcon de Reya LLP is noteworthy for the growing strength of its charities, social ventures and philanthropy practice. Led from London by Chris Willis Pickup, but present in Cambridge through ‘exceptional‘ senior associate Emma Millar, the practice acts for major UK charities, among them Alzheimer’s Research UK, Wellcome Trust, and The East of England Agricultural Society. Millar notably assisted the Royal Entomological Society with the development of the charity’s plans for revenue diversification.
Responsables de la pratique:
Chris Willis Pickup
Autres avocats clés:
Emma Millar
Les références
‘The team is very well-versed in different business models and configurations that will greatly help anyone either already operating in, or considering entering the not-for-profit space. The practice understands innovation, progressive business models, aligning org and governance structures with strategy and designing legal frameworks that incentivise the right behaviours.
‘The Taylor Vinters team and firm is the first (of many) we have worked with that felt aligned with our values in this way, that felt human first ahead of anything else, and that felt energetic and even fun to work with.’
‘Taylor Vinters have been able to provide a comprehensive range of expertise and advice on a range of diverse topics to support our organisation in a complex transaction involving the sale of a commercial events business and a multi-million-pound land sale. A key feature which influenced the selection and appointment was their knowledge of charity law.’
Principaux clients
Alzheimer’s Research UK
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Wellcome Trust
Founders Pledge
Opora
Royal Entomological Society
Parenting for Lifelong Health
GSR Foundation
Play Included CIC
The East of England Agricultural Society
Principaux dossiers
- Advising the Royal Entomological Society in diversifying its revenue streams and supporting commercial and governance policies.
- Advising on the registration of Opora, a charity working with Ukrainian refugees settling in the UK .
- Advised Play Included CIC on the international expansion of its innovative Brick-by-Brick programme for neurodivergent children.
Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP
The team at Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP is led partner Hilary Aldred who advises a wide-range of charity and not-for-profit clients, including some key to the education sector, on employment, education and charity law matters. The ‘hardworking, strategic, and highly commercial' team acts for The Company of Biologists, National Oceanography Centre, and numerous Oxford and Cambridge colleges. Managing associate Sophie Whitbread and commercial and IP partner Rachel Bradley are also called upon by charity clients.
Responsables de la pratique:
Hilary Aldred
Autres avocats clés:
Sophie Whitbread; Rachel Bradley
Les références
‘A stellar team with exceptional judgment and hard-hitting cases. They are hardworking, strategic, and highly commercial. They understand the needs of their clients well.’
‘Hilary Aldred is the go-to solicitor on the intersection between charities, employment, public, and education law. She knows everything there is to know in this area. Sophie Whitbread is hardworking, with terrific judgment.’
‘If the main contact is not available, then I’m always given an alternative who is up to speed with the actions ahead of time. Billing is always accurate and sent in a timely manner.’
Principaux clients
Christ Church, Oxford
Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge
Corpus Christi College, Cambridge
International Headache Society
National Oceanography Centre
Reeds Foundation
The Institute of Leadership and Management
Cambridge Commonwealth European and International Trust
The Company of Biologists
The Licensed Trade Charity
Marine Stewardship Council
The Fire Fighters Charity
Pembroke College Oxford
The Chartered Association of Business Schools
Wellington College
Oratory Schools Association
Jesus College, Oxford
Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford
Principaux dossiers
- Acting for Christ Church, Oxford on a wide-range of matters including data sharing, and freedom of information requests as well as privacy issues and employment.
- Advising a non-profit organisation on employment matters including how to implement changes to the benefits it offers its employees.
- Advising The Company of Biologists Limited on all its commercial agreements, including drafting and advising on agency agreements with foreign agents, granting rights to sales agents and drafting and negotiating site licence agreements to licence access to their journals to institutions all over the world.