TMT (technology, media and telecoms)
Russell-Cooke LLP has a large and well-established charity practice, which includes specialist charity property and employment lawyers, and clients praise the team's ‘responsive and attentive’ approach. Under the leadership of Andrew Studd, the group has a portfolio of high-profile clients, and is praised for its ‘exceptional availability’. The practice is adept at facilitating cross-border giving for philanthropists and companies with global assets and tax liabilities, and is also recommended for its advice on regulatory interventions by the Charity Commission, and for its work with sports organisations. Chris Rowse is a trusted adviser to numerous prominent national charities, and Pippa Garland is a key member of the department, alongside Gareth Roy. Richard Jones joined the firm in May 2025 from Bates Wells.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Mentions
Profile
Work Department
Charities and social business
Position
Gareth is a senior associate in the charity and social business team and advises a wide range of clients including national and international charities, religious charities and sports clubs.
He provides governance and commercial advice across a wide range of issues including structural reviews, mergers, fundraising, lotteries and regulatory matters involving the Charity Commission.
Gareth combines expert legal and technical knowledge with a pragmatic and user-friendly approach.
Career
Gareth trained at Russell-Cooke and qualified into the charity and social business team in 2015. Prior to that, he managed a team within the operations department of a global toxicology company.
Memberships
- Trustee of the Money and Mental Health Policy Institute
- Member of the Charity Law Association
Education
Lady Margaret Hall, University of Oxford, BA (Hons) Jurisprudence
Content supplied by Russell-Cooke LLP
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The firm has one of the best charity teams in the business, with an impressive depth of experience and knowledge of the sector. On top of this, the firm has experts in a wide range of specialisations on which they can call when necessary.’
‘Sukanya Ransford is an outstanding lawyer. She takes the time to understand the issues and clients' expectations and delivers solutions in an effective manner. There is no doubt that she cares about her clients and is committed to get proposals "across the line".’
‘Andrew Studd is the epitome of a can-do, solutions-focused, impact-motivated partner - quick to get to the heart of the issue, fresh in his thinking, pragmatic in his approach, and makes the complicated clear.’
‘Andrew's technical knowledge, keen insight and understanding to our challenges combined with his approachable manner made dealing with him a pleasure.’
‘The firm has been hugely supportive, particularly in the field of charity law and the complex area of HR. Carla Whalen in particular has been hugely supportive.’
‘We deal with Pippa Garland who is very pleasant to deal with and yet robust and very on top of her sector. I feel confident in the advice she gives.'
‘Carla Whalen has consistently given clear, practical advice which reflects an understanding that there can be a wide gap between the legal theory and the real world practice.’
'Gareth Roy was pragmatic and took account of how external parties might react to his suggestions.’
Key clients
- The British Museum St John Ambulance UNICEF Breast Cancer Now Anthony Nolan Youth Hostel Association (England and Wales) BOND Borough Market London Funders CoppaFeel! National Council for Civil Liberties Sadler’s Wells Bowel Cancer UK Alexandra Park and Place Charitable Trust