Joanna Lada-Walicki > Moore Barlow > Guildford, England > Lawyer Profile

Moore Barlow is noted for its ability to handle high-value strategic work, with its Guildford-based team offering independent schools and sector associations ‘outstanding and very perceptive advice‘ in connection with school acquisitions and mergers, charity matters, strategic policy and statute reviews, and estate acquisitions and disposals. Under the leadership of Joanna Lada-Walicki, who advises on employment, pensions, and pastoral issues, the practice is also capable of handling a wide range of contentious and non-contentious mandates related to reputationally sensitive terminations of employment, safeguarding issues, and discrimination claims. Ben Collingwood is a further key contact in this space and has advised on complex matters related to students with special educational needs, while Adam McRae-Taylor is noted for providing advice to schools seeking to exit the Teachers’ Pension Scheme. For charity and strategic matters, Gordon Reid is highly recommended.

Based in Guildford, Moore Barlow advises domestic and international clients on a breadth of commercial, governance and structural matters. The practice has also recently been engaged in gaining charitable status for independent schools, pro-life, and sex/gender identity charities. Gordon Reid leads the team and often handles reputation management and transactional work for senior charity leaders and trustees. Joanna Lada-Walicki helms employment and pastoral mandates, while Helen Harvie provides clients with trustee training. George Shepherd is particularly knowledgeable of faith, health and youth charities.