Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP ‘always goes the extra mile and provides detailed responses to queries and helpful guidance’ and therefore continues to be a popular choice for universities, education colleges and private providers on a range of employment, real estate, education governance and contentious situations. Robert Gray and Diane Gilhooley jointly lead the Manchester-based practice and are both highly experienced employment lawyers, handling a range of contentious and non-contentious matters. Laura Marsh, David O’Hara and Kim Findlow are also active on employment matters, while Carly Fishwick handles litigation in the education sector, including Equity Act-related matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Robert Gray provides an outstanding service. He has the ability to assess complex employment situations quickly and will then provide considered and useful advice to deadline. He always does this with humanity and a sense of humour.’
‘We use Eversheds Sutherland for our employment law advice. The team are all very knowledgeable and have taken the time to understand our organisation, this helps them when we present them with situations that we require help and support with.’
‘Always willing to find the time to meet with us, sometimes at short notice. Our main point of contact is Robert Gray.’
‘The team are extremely responsive to requests for help and support and always provide timely and excellent responses to queries.’
‘Always go the extra mile and provide detailed responses to queries and helpful guidance. Everyone we deal with are polite and helpful and very supportive of the work we undertake.’
‘I value the personal approach and undoubted sector expertise.’
‘Diane Gilhooley and Robert Gray. They are all steeped in the sector and understand the context in which their advice is given. Invaluable expertise.’
‘Its the balance of professionalism but also building a strong relationship with us that enables us to work effectively together. Robert Gray is our lead partner and is calm and considered in his approach, and also he ensures the team we work with are knowledgeable about our business and organisation and responsive to our requirements.’
'Rob Gray is calm and considered in his approach, and he ensures the team we work with are knowledgeable about our business and organisation and responsive to our requirements.'
Key clients
- University of Manchester
- Universities and Colleges Employers Association
- Goldsmiths College, University of London
- Sheffield Hallam University
- London South Bank University
- University of Salford
- Loughborough University
- Edge Hill University
- UCLAN
- Middlesex University
- Stoke on Trent College
- Bolton Sixth Form College
- National Film and Television School
- The Sixth Form Colleges Association
- Cardinal Newman College
- Grwp Llandrillo Menai
- Hopwood Hall College
- Hugh Baird College
- Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
- Wirral Metropolitan College
Work highlights
Completed the implementation of a major trans-national education collaboration between a UK university and a Chinese university.
Represented a UK university in a major multi-party, £1.5m dispute in relation to a student accommodation development.
Advised multiple universities nationally on their response to the implementation of broad-ranging new regulatory obligations on tackling sexual harassment and misconduct on campus.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Robert Gray; Diane Gilhooley
Other key lawyers
Laura Marsh; David O’Hara; Kim Findlow; Carly Fishwick