Mills & Reeve LLP advises charities and not-for-profits on governance, fundraising, regulation, and commercial matters. Clients include BBC Children in Need, the British Council, and Anxiety UK. Paul Knight leads the team, specialising in data protection and IT contract work. Co-lead Simon Pedley leads dispute resolution arm of practice, handling regulatory issues, contested legacies, and reputation management cases, while Sara Barrett is active across the commercial, education, and not-for-profit sectors. Rona McPherson and Sarah Attwood advise on grant arrangements, procurement, and commercial contracts. The team also advises charities on estates, construction, and technology-related issues. Alasdair Dougan is a key figure within the practice.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Paul Knight and David Baines delivered a guest lecture to a local college of degree apprenticeship students and were both very dynamic and spoke passionately about the topics. I have worked with several law firms over the past 10 years and I don't know any of them that would go above and beyond like this to support local emerging talent. It was obvious Paul and David genuinely wanted to give back to the community.'
- 'Paul Knight and David Blaines were professional, dynamic, personable and passionate. Paul led on preparations for the session and I found him to be enthused and reliable, asking specific questions to make sure he delivered a session that added value.'
Key clients
- British Council
- BBC Children in Need
- Anxiety UK
- Wellcome Sanger Institute
- Royal Northern College of Music
- Institution of Engineering and Technology
- European Cyber Conflicts Research Institute CIC
- LTE Group
- The Land Restoration Trust
- RAF Benevolent Trust
Work highlights
Advised the British Council on various procurements, including its procurement of a travel agency to collaborate on the design and delivery of bespoke UK and international travel programmes for supporters and advocates of the British Council.
Advised Anxiety UK on brand protection matters.
Advised LTE Group on various employment law matters, contractual arrangements and data protection queries under a helpline arrangement.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Alasdair Dougan
Rona McPherson
Practice head
Paul Knight; Simon Pedley
Other key lawyers
Sara Barrett; Pili Fernandez-Mahoney; Rona McPherson; Sarah Attwood; Alasdair Dougan; Laura Wells; Adam Hulme; Rebecca Minto; Mark Ashton