Working with maintained, academy, free, faith and independent schools, Blake Morgan LLP is well known for mergers, academy conversions, child protection, employment law, discrimination, exclusions and charity law. Matthew Smith handles contentious and non-contentious employment matters. Jane Biddlecombe advises on discrimination claims, whistleblowing, TUPE, collective redundancies and trade union issues. Jonathan Walsh is experienced in matters of safeguarding and its employment law implications, acting for both governing bodies and trade unions.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- Jane Biddlecombe and Joanna Brooks have been exceptional. Both are extremely thorough, professional, and thoughtful. They have made us feel extremely well looked after, and they have dealt with a number of complex cases that have been resolved to our satisfaction.
- The individuals I have worked with stand out for the quality of their judgment. They are technically strong, but also calm, practical, and clear in their advice. I particularly value their ability to understand the school context quickly, identify the real risks, and support decision-making without overcomplicating matters. They are responsive, measured, and very good at dealing with sensitive issues where the legal, procedural, and human factors all need to be balanced.
- The team’s main strength is the combination of strong technical employment law expertise with a genuine understanding of how schools operate in practice. Their advice is clear, pragmatic, and focused on what is workable, particularly in complex or sensitive situations. They are reliable and responsive, and there is good depth across the team, so matters are handled with appropriate oversight. Compared to other firms, they stand out for their ability to translate legal risk into practical decision-making. They have also been willing to engage in a more collaborative way, providing timely advice and support that fits around the operational demands of a school.
Key clients
- The Portsmouth Grammar School
- Heart of Mercia Multi-Academy Trust
- The Gallery Multi-Academy Trust
- St Dominic’s Sixth Form College
- Villiers High School
- Teachers Regulation Agency
- Education Workforce Council
- Sixth Form Colleges Association
Practice head
Matthew Smith
Other key lawyers
Jane Biddlecombe; Jonathan Walsh