United Kingdom > London > Private client > Charities and not-for-profit
Index of tables
Charities and not-for-profit
Leading individuals
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- Julian Blake Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP
- Jonathan Burchfield Stone King LLP
- Penny Chapman Bircham Dyson Bell LLP
- Owen Clutton Macfarlanes LLP
- Lindsay Driscoll Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP
- Ian Hempseed Hempsons
- Michael King Stone King LLP
- Philip Kirkpatrick Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP
- Stephen Lloyd Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP
- Sam Macdonald Farrer & Co
- Rosamund McCarthy Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP
- Alison Paines Withers LLP
- Ann Phillips Stone King LLP
- Lord Phillips of Sudbury Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP
- Anne-Marie Piper Farrer & Co
- Moira Protani Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP
- Michael Scott Charles Russell LLP
- Lawrence Simanowitz Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP
- Julian Smith Farrer & Co
- James Sinclair Taylor Russell-Cooke LLP
- Simon Weil Bircham Dyson Bell LLP
The name Bates Wells & Braithwaite London LLP is synonomous with charity work; the firm fields the largest dedicated charity and social enterprise team in the UK, and acts for over 2,000 charity clients, including Barnardo’s, Christian Aid, the RSPCA, and Samaritans. Julian Blake and Philip Kirkpatrick head the team, and ‘have a strong grasp of the law with a pragmatism which results in the best outcome for clients’. Also recommended are Rosamund McCarthy, who ‘uses her understanding of regulation to shape an environment that works for charities’; Lawrence Simanowitz, who ‘brings clarity to complex situations’; and senior partner Stephen Lloyd, who is ‘innovative, shows strong leadership and continually encourages fresh structures in the voluntary and community sector’. Abbie Rumbold and Thea Longley are also recommended.
Farrer & Co has a high-quality charities practice headed by the ‘excellent, proactive and discreet’ Anne-Marie Piper, whose ‘direct and assured style instils confidence’. The practice has real depth of expertise, regularly advising household names such as the Royal British Legion, Age UK, and Save the Children. Sam Macdonald, James Carleton and Julian Smith provide accomplished and experienced support.
Penny Chapman heads an ‘excellent’ charities practice at Bircham Dyson Bell LLP, which provides a ‘personalised service; the team is always available, informed, and helpful, without being overly legalistic or formal’. The firm has a varied client base of charities, covering education, arts and religious organisations. Simon Weil has a strong practice, and is ‘very knowledgeable about charities while understanding the commercial realities’. Jonathan Brindsen is ‘excellent in every way’, and Ben Brice is one to watch.
Stone King LLP has a dedicated charities sector focus, which also encompasses education, in particular the establishment of academies. Senior partner Michael King leads the team, which includes the ‘first-rate’ Jonathan Burchfield, who has ‘vast experience in the sector, and a good common-sense approach combined with very sound judgement’; and Ann Phillips, who has ‘an unsurpassed knowledge of charity law’. Its impressive client list includes the Heritage Lottery Fund, the English Province of the Order of Preachers, Mission Care, and the International Hospital Federation.
Withers LLP has a strong charities and philanthropy practice headed by Alison Paines, the ‘doyenne of charity lawyers’. The firm advises on the full scope of charity and non-for-profit issues, including international and contentious matters. The team continue to advise Cancer Research UK on a groundbreaking new joint venture charity to develop and operate the UK Centre for Medical Research and Innovation. Paul Hewitt is an acknowledged expert.
Charles Russell LLP has an admirable commitment to its charities practice, which can draw support from the firm’s expertise across the private client sector. The ‘knowledgeable and technically excellent’ Michael Scott heads the practice, which acts for both institutional and not-for-profit clients, including City of London Guilds Institute, the People’s Supermarket and the RNLI as well as individual clients who wish to establish UK or international charitable foundations. Sarah Rowley is valued for her ‘meticulous approach’.
The ‘positive, calm and knowledgeable’ Ian Hempseed heads the third sector team at Hempsons, which can draw on 16 partners nationally. The team has a strong reputation and gained a number of new clients in 2010, including the Royal British Legion, National Childbirth Trust, and the Royal Commonwealth Society. Other standout practitioners include Fiona Wilson, who has particular expertise in legacies; and Jean Sapeta, who advises NHS trusts, local housing associations and charities on all aspects of employment law.
The ‘highly capable’ James Sinclair Taylor heads the charities and not-for-profit team at Russell-Cooke LLP, which has been advising the Tudor Trust on social investment, and providing the International Youth Hostel Association with governance advice. Andrew Studd is ‘sure footed, and good at finding solutions’, and Mary Cheves is ‘excellent’ on property matters.
John Ward heads the charities team at Speechly Bircham LLP, which advises on the full scope of matters, from charity acquisition and organisational restructuring to cross-border giving for entrepreneurs. Clients include Barnardo’s and Independence at Home. Gaynor Jackson is ‘user friendly and extremely knowledgeable on tax matters’, and William Hancock and rising star Hannah Candlin are ‘excellent’. The team was boosted by the arrival of Dominic Lawrance from Macfarlanes LLP, who has expertise in philanthropy.
The five-partner team at Wilsons is headed by Moira Protani. Its work in 2010 included advice on mergers, governance reviews, finance and philanthropic giving. Clients find the firm ‘responsive, knowledgeable and approachable’, singling out Peter Jeffreys, James Aspden and Gillian Fletcher for particular praise.
Charities is part of Boodle Hatfield’s premier private client offering, led by Sue Laing. Its prestigious client base includes high-net-worth individuals with private charities or involved in cross-border giving. Examples of recent work include negotiating with the Charity Commission on applications setting up or winding up charities, and advising major companies on their philanthropic strategy.
Edward Reed heads the charities and philanthropy practice at Macfarlanes LLP, which in 2010 set up the Gender Rights and Equality Action Trust (GREAT) to promote the equality of women in Africa. Owen Clutton is now a consultant to the practice.
Maurice Turnor Gardner LLP has a diverse client list including a significant portfolio of clients incorporated by Royal Charter, and high-net-worth individuals, whom the team advise on cross-border charitable giving. The ‘experienced’ Ceris Gardner heads the team, and Robert Bulling is noted for his expertise in dealing with bodies governed by Royal Charter. The team provides ‘wise, useful, pragmatic and articulate’ advice.
Ian Davis heads the team at Trowers & Hamlins LLP, which serves the firm’s corporate charity client base. It advised Careers Development Group on governance, dispute resolution, employment and pensions matters.
The ‘knowledgeable’ Simon Randall and ‘responsive’ Joanne Bussell joined Winckworth Sherwood from Lawrence Graham LLP in 2010. The firm is strongly geared toward advising the voluntary sector, acting for many educational, housing and religious charities and not-for-profit organisations. Owen Carew-Jones is also recommended for his charities expertise.
The team at Beachcroft benefits from the firm’s strong national practice, in areas such as property, employment and litigation. Clients include Barnardo’s and the British Red Cross. Julian Gizzi heads the three-partner team, which ‘inspires confidence’.
Martin Paisner heads the charity law group at Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP, which advised Worcester College, Oxford on its registration with the Charity Commission. ‘The legal advice is first class’, and Neasa Coen is singled out by clients as a rising star.
Bristows has well-established expertise in acting for large, institutional charities in the spheres of science, engineering and commerce; they include The Geological Society of London. Miranda Cass and Mark Hawes co-head the practice; John Lace has become a consultant.
Andrew Crawford has a notable charities focus at Devonshires, which has particular expertise in regulatory issues.
Druces LLP has a well-rounded charities offering with a particular focus on insolvency matters. Richard Monkcom heads the two-partner team.
Edwin Coe LLP advises a host of national and international charities, particularly Africa-related bodies such as the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences, and also acts for individuals setting up charities. David Goepel heads the team.
Graeme Nuttall heads the charities team at Field Fisher Waterhouse LLP, which provides the full spectrum of tax advice to charities, as well as advising on incorporation, mergers and regulatory issues.
Charles Pike and Craigie Pearson are the key contacts at Forsters LLP, now that Julian Washington has left the practice. Notable instructions included advising on the ‘Chance to Shine’ appeal, which aims to restore competitive cricket to state schools.
Associate David Scott heads the team at Harbottle & Lewis LLP, which includes experienced corporate partner Colin Howes. The team acts for Comic Relief and Virgin Unite.
Alan Banes from Howard Kennedy has particular expertise in governance matters, and consultant Iain Harris also has a strong reputation. Clients include The Mutiple Sclerosis Society and the Alexandra Palace Charitable Trust.
Hunters has charities capability as part of its sterling private client offering. Senior partner Paul Almy has ‘a good understanding of the complexities of charity law’.
Lee Bolton Monier-Williams is highly rated for its ecclesiastical and education expertise.
Payne Hicks Beach advises high-net-worth individuals, and private and ecclesiastical grant-making charitable trusts as part of its private client offering.
Gerald Kidd heads the team at Pothecary Witham Weld, which advises a wide range of charities with a particular emphasis on religious organisations.
Consultant Guy Greenhous heads the charities group at RadcliffesLeBrasseur, which advises NHS trusts and education bodies, among others.
Con Alexander heads the ‘excellent’ team at Veale Wasbrough Vizards, which advises the London Symphony Orchestra and the British Fashion Council. Associate Martha Burnige joined in 2010, from Stone King LLP.