David Browne > Shakespeare Martineau LLP > Birmingham, England > Lawyer Profile

Shakespeare Martineau LLP has considerable strength in the education sector and is particularly adept at advising on international collaborations between UK universities and universities overseas. It is also skilled at advising on large restructuring exercises,  senior management departures and at handling complex employment tribunal litigation. David Browne has particular expertise in the education sector along with Tom Long.  Michael Hibbs is well-regarded for his work across a wide range of sectors including education, logistics, manufacturing and insurance. Matt McDonald is another name to note.

Shakespeare Martineau LLP offers clients an ‘outstanding service’ and routinely advises clients on estates, governance and regulatory matters, alongside disputes and statutory compliance work. Its client base includes both Russell Group universities as well as smaller specialist institutions. ‘Absolute superstar’ practice head Smita Jamdar specialises in governance, student-related and constitutional matters, while David Browne‘s capabilities range from restructuring matters to addressing allegations of sexual misconduct and whistleblowing issues. As a ‘fountain of knowledge and experience’, Geraldine Swanton adds further value to the team with expertise in data protection and freedom of information issues.

Shakespeare Martineau LLP‘s education team is composed of lawyers based who are ‘extremely knowledgeable in their field’ and are particularly well-reputed for their expertise in a broad range of contentious matters. The team has acted for universities and further education institutions in a number of commercial and property disputes, discrimination claims, investigations related to regulatory breaches, and claims related to unfair dismissals and freedom of speech restrictions. Smita Jamdar, who leads the Birmingham-based practice, has acted for universities in a number of OfS investigations and has also led the team to handle a growing number of non-contentious mandates related to governance, charity, and commercial matters. David Browne and Tom Long are noted for their experience in reputationally sensitive employment matters, and Clive Read is highly recommended for his ability to advise universities on real estate and student accommodation schemes. For contentious work related to discrimination and harassment, Andrew Adams and Ben Humphreys are further names to note. Catherine Rustomji, who advises on charity governance matters, joined from Browne Jacobson in April 2022.