Sam Macdonald > Farrer & Co > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Farrer & Co acts for a client roster that encompasses some of the UK’s largest universities, as well as sector associations such as the Association of Commonwealth Universities. The team is respected for its ability to handle crisis management work of a reputationally sensitive nature and is regularly instructed to handle employment matters, commercial issues, and research/IP disputes, with a record of acting in contentious mandates spanning from discrimination and unfair dismissal claims to research misconduct allegations. Under the leadership of IP and commercial specialist David Copping, the London-based team also regularly assists with high-profile projects and partnerships, including campus openings, research collaboration agreements, and acquisitions. The team benefits from the expertise of Kathleen Heycock, whose expertise in employment and safeguarding issues make her a key contact for student complaints, industrial relations, and misconduct allegations. Sam Macdonald, an experienced charity and tax lawyer who is regarded as a key contact for matters related to governance and fundraising, Jeremy Isaacson, who advises on high-profile research and IP issues, and safeguarding specialist David Smellie are also highly recommended.

As a ‘leading light in the field of education and schools‘, Farrer & Co works with a diverse client base that encompasses independent schools and associations and offers ‘pioneering guidance in areas such as safeguarding and EDI‘. In addition to its widely recognised safeguarding expertise, the team is also well-equipped to handle cross-border commercial matters, with lawyers regularly advising on partnerships and school openings, mergers, and trade marks. Increasingly, the firm also assists clients with their attempts to challenge the results of ISI and Ofsted inspections. Practice head Jonathan Eley often advises on high-profile employment matters, including strike action and crisis management, and frequently works with vastly experienced safeguarding specialist David Smellie, employment lawyer Alice Yandle, and former barrister Katie Fudakowski to handle complex safeguarding, SEN, and equality issues. Sam Macdonald continues to be a highly recommended specialist for restructuring and governance matters, and Paul Jones is a key contact for commerical contracts and partnerships. Maria Strauss is particularly noted for her expertise in safeguarding investigations.

The outstanding team at Farrer & Co has a ‘deep knowledge of the charity sector and fantastic expertise‘. It has an impressive client base of leading UK and international charitable organisations, and a long track record of advising on some of the most complex, ground -breaking and high-profile work in the sector. Under the joint leadership of James Maloney and Elizabeth Jones, the nimble team covers the full range of issues from charity mergers and restructuring work, to advising on corporate foundations and partnerships. Other core areas of expertise include handling disputes and managing reputational issues. In addition, it continues to be busy advising on various safeguarding issues, and innovative charity finance matters. Anne-Marie Piper is particularly known for her skilful handling of difficult regulatory cases, as well as other issues relating to mergers, reorganisations and governance. Julian Smith acts for a wide range of foundations and functional charities, and is well regarded in the charity investment sphere. Sam Macdonald has a broad practice; he advises philanthropists on their charitable giving as well as advising overseas organisations.