Mr Graham Vials > Ward Hadaway LLP > Newcastle upon Tyne, England > Lawyer Profile

Ward Hadaway LLP is routinely sought out by academy trusts for wide-ranging advice on governance, conversion instructions, employment, data protection and property matters. Head of the education law team Graham Vials, and procurement, PFI and education specialist Tim Care regularly collaborate to advise clients on school conversions to trusts. Real estate practitioner Neil Smith specialises in the development of new technical college facilities, while managing associate Katy Milner supports public sector real estate projects and advises schools and local authorities in academy conversion and re-brokerage processes. Employment team associate Tom Shears notably acts for clients in discrimination disputes.

Ward Hadaway LLP’s Newcastle-based employment team provides clients across a range of sectors, including education, healthcare, sports and manufacturing, with both contentious and non-contentious advice. Team head Jamie Gamble is an expert on TUPE matters, employment tribunal claims, senior executive contracts, dismissals and employment aspects of corporate transactions. Paul Scope is a key contact for sports team seeking advice on various terminations, disciplinary issues and restructurings; he also represents clients on mass litigations concerning equal pay claims in the public sector. Gillian Chinhengo supports businesses in large scale changes and dealing with trade unions, while Roisin Patton is the firm’s expert on business immigration mandates, often working on post-Brexit recruitment issues and complex global mobility issues. Stuart Craig and Graham Vials are names to note, with the former focused on healthcare matters and the latter specialising in education matters within the employment law field.