Jean Tsang > Bates Wells > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Assisting independent schools and multi-academy trusts, Bates Wells’ education department offers a range of services such as restructuring, school mergers, closures and acquisitions, as well as SEND and Edtech. Jean Tsang, who was promoted to partner in April 2024, heads the department and is experienced in a range of education matters such as merger and acquisitions, establishment and restructuring of schools, as well as charity and governance issues. Real estate specialist Mark Traynor supports education sector clients, including academy trusts, free schools and further education colleges with property issues. Matthew Smith’s practice covers public and regulatory law, working on matters such as advising a school’s inspectorate on policy, and equalities and discrimination issues, data protection and Freedom of Information requests and challenges.

Experienced in advising further and higher education providers, education sector bodies and student unions, Bates Wells‘ education practice draws on the firm’s strength in charity, employment, property and public law to assist clients in a range of matters. Jean Tsang, who was promoted to partner in April 2024, heads the education team and is adept at governance, charity and commercial law as well as safeguarding. Lucy Mclynn is the firm’s key employment contact, while Simon Steeden assists educational charities on corporate, commercial and financing issues and is well-supported by senior associate Mark Abbott. Public and regulatory law specialist Matthew Smith joined from Broadfield Law UK LLP in April 2023. Claire Whittle departed to DLA Piper in October 2023.

The large and specialist team at Bates Wells has a ‘wonderful combination of expertise in the law, deep experience in the sector, and an inherently practical outlook’. Thea Longley heads the practice, which is adept at handling day-to-day issues for its non-profit clients, through to the most complex charity law matters. Philip Kirkpatrick advises many major charities, as well as foundations. Lawrence Simanowitz’s areas of specialisation span charity formations and governance, through to spinouts and campaigning. Stephanie Biden leads the work for faith-based charities, while Laura Soley has a broad charity practice, and covers niche areas such as royal charter bodies and statutory charities. Erica Crump acts for a range of large charities and spearheads the culture and creative cross-departmental offering. Oliver Hunt frequently advises on the structuring and promotion of crowdfunded projects, particularly for renewable energy projects. In April 2024, Jean Tsang and Lucy Rhodes were promoted to the partnership. Suhan Rajkumar is another name to note.