Alison Paines > Withers LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

With particular strength in charity law, Withers LLP‘s education team advises a range of higher and further education institutions on issues such as US-UK dual qualified charitable structures, data protection, regulatory, employment, immigration, and governance. Practice head Philip Reed‘s broad charity law practice includes a range of matters, including governance and strategic advice. Chris Priestley leads the wider charities and philanthropy team at the firm and is adept in national and international commercial projects. Consultant Alison Paines   specialises in assisting education charities; and Hugh More advises on contentious and non-contentious employment matters, while Jo Sanders  is contact for all aspects of reputation and privacy law.

The ‘attentive’ Chris Priestley heads a ‘very experienced’ team at Withers LLP, which is lauded for its ‘pragmatic support and advice across a wide range of issues’. The practice acts for many of the largest operating charities in the country, and is a leading firm nationwide in advising NHS charities. Another key strength is its considerable expertise in strategy and governance matters, and it frequently engages at a senior level with the Charity Commission. Given its international reach, it is regularly instructed on charity matters spanning multiple jurisdictions. Philip Reed advises charities, not-for-profits, and philanthropists on a wide range of charity law matters, with a particular specialism in the education and arts sector. Alison Paines is vastly experienced in advising charities and other non-profit bodies, and those who contract with or donate to them. Roger Waite, who was promoted to the partnership in July 2024, works with all types of charities, foundations, and non-profits on an array of charity law, governance, fundraising, and regulatory matters. Amy Carter and Emma Flower are both well-regarded.

Embedded in the firm’s charity department led by Chris Priestley , Withers LLP‘s education practice provides charity law and crisis management advice to educational trusts, charities, and foundations on various strategic and governance matters. The education group, which is led by charity law expert Philip Reed, covers contentious employment and student issues and acts in school disciplinary proceedings and investigations. Natalie Sherborn advises schools on highly sensitive internal investigations. Alison Paines and Emma Flower, who regularly act for independent schools are key members.