Richard Sykes > Mills & Reeve LLP > Birmingham, England > Lawyer Profile

Recommended for providing ‘pragmatic advice’ to UK universities, Mills & Reeve LLP‘s capabilities extend to a broad range of matters, ranging from sexual misconduct allegations to managing students’ mental health to counterterrorism. Nick Abbott co-heads the practice and his strengths include industrial action, mergers and discrimination claims, to name a few, while Richard Sykes, who jointly leads the team, advises clients on issues such as disputes, liability, and freedom of information, as well as offering particular expertise regarding discrimination issues. Christian Bull specialises in real estate education matters, and associates Siân Jackson and Abisola Latunji-Cockbil further strengthen the practice with expertise in employment law.

Mills & Reeve LLP‘s education team stands out for its ability to advise large independent schools and multi-academy trusts on debt finance transactions, having assisted a number of schools and educational foundations on high-value private placements, and is also well-regarded for its advice on charity law matters as well as employment and safeguarding issues. Charity expert Neil Burton jointly leads the national education practice with Gary Attle and Martin Priestley. For financial matters, Sarah Seed is a key contact, while Richard Sykes is well-regarded for his understanding of sensitive student matters.