Charities and not-for-profit in West Midlands

‘A highly competent group of solicitors who are experts in their respective fields. They are all responsive, give sound advice, and take the time to explain legal matters patiently and in plain English. They combine expertise in their field of law with their specialism in charities, which I value’.

‘As ever, expert and accessible. The lawyers’ responsiveness to requests for help with often sudden and unexpected issues is exemplary. They really do fulfil a role as a trusted partner and adviser, beyond transactional legal issues’.

‘Highly responsive and tuned in to our charitable activities, requirements and those of our members. Able to offer helpful, tailored advice in an approachable and clear way. Esther Campsall is always willing to offer practical and prompt advice; friendly, clear and flexible, she is so easy to recommend to our members’.

‘The team we work with at Anthony Collins is extremely helpful and professional. The lawyers offer sound, practical advice in plain English. ’

‘Dominic Curran is  extremely personable, helpful and professional. We deal with a number of law firms, and it is the only firm to have reached out during the Coronavirus crisis to see what it could do to help us, and even to just have a Zoom coffee with us’.

‘The team has always provided timely, comprehensive advice, clearly outlining next steps. Edwina Turner has been down to earth, knowledgeable and amenable. Edwina has time and time again, been very accessible to my queries and helped me to navigate the legals of many different situations. She has gone above and beyond to provide a great service to my organisation and I cannot commend her highly enough’.

‘The charity team has an excellent balance of individuals with combined knowledge, experience, personal commitment to the sector, client service ethos and reasonable approach to fees and billing. The lawyers also use technology sensibly’.

‘In-depth understanding of the charity sector. Quite possibly uniquely – the firm actually publishes its own social impact report, which helps show that its values align with the sector and that it’s not just another law firm purely focused on money. John Wearing has a deep understanding of social care and the issues faced by charities’.

‘They have a good understanding of the sector and are able to provide constructive and pragmatic advice’

‘The lawyers are very responsive and accessible and will often work evenings and weekends to ensure they meet tight time-scales.  Nothing ever feels like too much trouble’.

‘Expert charity advice based on a deep understanding of the issues that charities face. A fantastic network of charity contacts that have proved very useful to our charity. Expertise delivered with understanding and empathy. Always practical’.

‘It is very definitely a capable and articulate team with a very strong grasp of Charity Law and its principles. The lawyers are kind and understanding and concerned to complete an assignment taking into account client needs. We worked through a pandemic together and there were no problems!’.

‘I have worked with Kirsty McKeown and Ellie Williams on a long complex and demanding piece of work this year. They are both very approachable and unlike many lawyers in this day and age they listen and look for solutions. They, when required, stand their ground and are focused on the best outcome for their client. Kirsty makes herself available when required no matter what time of the day that is. Ellie similarly is finely tuned to client needs and wants to help at all times’.

‘Higgs offers one of the few truly specialised Charity practices in the Midlands with a depth of knowledge of the sector and the ability to address all areas of the law relating to Charities rather than just employment or M&A or property as so many others seem to do. Each member of the team has experience as a Trustee in their own right which is so important to aid understanding’.

‘Kirsty McEwen is one of the stand-out Charity solicitors in the Midlands in my opinion with a deep level of knowledge of the sector, its legal issues and how these can be resolved. She speaks in a language that all Trustees can understand and makes the complex straightforward, which is a key skill. She is not phased by any problem and is able to draw on a wealth of experience to efficiently guide and advise clients’.

‘I am in regular contact with the charities team and have found them to be exceedingly thoughtful to our needs, and have been always agreeable to changes to their billing process to accommodate our procedure. The lawyers have been ready to agree  to our wishes regarding fees always noting that the level is fair to us, the client. They have streamlined the regulatory requirements to take this burden off the trustees’.

‘The personal attention by the team leader, Kirsty McEwen, who is there to help in even the smallest detail has been of great help to the board of trustees. The support given by the office staff in the team is vital to provide a smooth operation, which gives us confidence that there is depth of support within the office.’

‘The Charities and not-for-profit team at Higgs is absolutely committed to the NFP sector. The firm has invested in its people and has developed a real deep specialism in this field. Outwardly it supports many initiatives in and around Birmingham and the wider West Midlands. The lawyers can be found speaking at events both locally and nationwide and have developed excellent working relationships with the Charity Commission and other regulators. The team collaborates well with strategic partners and launched a diversity programme during the pandemic.’

‘The team is dedicated to the sector and is committed to delivering exceptional client service. As a firm throughout the pandemic the lawyers were quick to mobilise technology to stay connected to clients and the wider community‘.

‘My main contact is Anne Tromans. Anne gets on well with clients, is able to translate complex charity issues so that trustees feel reassured and confident in her advice’.

‘Very detailed specialist knowledge. Vast experience. Imaginative approach to problem solving. Good communications. Pragmatic and commercially aware advice. Fast and responsive’.

‘Technical expertise. Sector knowledge. Availability’.