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Education

Browne Jacobson LLP is the undisputed market leader in the education field, particularly in respect of school-to-academy conversions. Mark Blois provides advice to bodies such as the Schools Network; Nick MacKenzie advises on corporate and governance matters; and new partner Laura Hughes specialises in public law with an education angle. Dai Durbridge, also a new partner, specialises in safeguarding and pastoral matters.

Eversheds LLP acts for further education institutions such as New College Nottingham, which it advises on strategy and the creation of competitive structures. The firm also provides general employment advice to the Association of Colleges. Nicola Bennison is highly rated.

At Freeth Cartwright LLP, team head Mary Mackintosh, Chris Holwell, Philippa Dempster and Stephen Pearson are all ‘personable and well respected’. The group acts for an impressive number of universities and schools, and ‘produces solutions and answers’.

Geldards LLP represents the Cardiff and Derby universities, and also undertakes a sizeable number of academy conversions.

Hewitsons LLP’s team is led by the ‘knowledgeable’ Clare Colacicchi, who advises a raft of Oxford and Cambridge colleges. The firm also handles academy conversions and mergers with an education angle. New clients include Rickmansworth School and Impingham Village College.

Howes Percival LLP assists clients such as University of Leicester, Quesdale School, and Milton Keynes College. The firm is strong in the voluntary-aided education sector.

Health

Noted for its ‘high-quality, expert, and timely advice’, Simon Tait’s department at Browne Jacobson LLP is a dominant force on the healthcare side. The firm has carried out numerous high-profile inquests, for clients such as Royal Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospitals Nottingham NHST and University Hospitals Leicester NHST. It is also active in the private healthcare sector, and undertakes retail pharmacy corporate work. Oliver Pritchard is also highly recommended.

Local government

Dominic Swift’s team at Browne Jacobson LLP is at the forefront of trends in local government work, and has experience in academy conversions and the disposal of local authority assets. It also sets up companies for local authorities, and advises on consultation obligations, legitimate expectations, and Equality Act matters.

Freeth Cartwright LLP is appointed by 110 local authorities across the UK, assisting with shared services agreements, judicial reviews, and employment tribunals. In one highlight, the firm advised on the outsourcing of leisure management by Charnwood Borough Council. Philippa Dempster is the key contact.

Eversheds LLP’s national local government offering is partly serviced out of Nottingham. In one highlight, Nigel Sternberg assisted Lincolnshire Police Authority with an IT procurement project.

Geldards LLP has a track record in advising local authorities on property matters.

Weightmans LLP advised Northampton Borough Council on its community energy savings programme; and, on the governance front, assisted Mansfield District Council, Leicester Police and Wellingborough Council in a judicial review relating to a local theatre. The team also has a thriving police practice. John Riddell heads the practice.

Wilkin Chapman LLP is notable for its work in the area of public sector complaints and conduct investigations. Jonathan Goolden has advised on over 150 investigations of alleged misconduct by elected officials, and is ‘always assured’.

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