DWF has an established North West education practice, advising clients ranging from independent schools through to universities on special educational needs, safeguarding and inquest matters. The practice is led by Vikki Woodfine and Jonathan Branton; Woodfine specialises in gross negligence and corporate manslaughter cases, while Branton provides advice to universities on R&D funding. Joanne Pizzala routinely handles complex, high‑value loss and catastrophic injury claims. Anna Blythe is active in SEND, discrimination and contested EHCP hearings.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- This is a hardworking team that makes sound judgments when advising their clients and preparing their cases.
- What makes this practice truly unique is the combination of deep technical legal expertise and the "institutional memory" they bring from having navigated similar tragic events with other educational institutions. They are not learning on the job; they know the path ahead. For a client in the midst of a crisis, this is invaluable. It meant that instead of just receiving abstract legal advice, we received practical, battle-tested guidance that helped us navigate the process with clarity and foresight.
- They were easy to contact, enormously helpful, and supportive in a process with which I was unfamiliar. I felt well-prepared and supported throughout.
- The combination of human warmth, emotional intelligence, rapid response, and breadth of specialist legal knowledge makes this team stand out from the crowd. It has particular expertise in handling high-profile crises that involve fatalities or other extremely sensitive matters.
- Vikki Woodfine invariably establishes a close working rapport with clients, often in the face of a harrowing crisis, immediately inspiring confidence and trust. This is reflected in the amount of repeat business she achieves when her involvement is specifically requested by clients. An exceptional lawyer.
- Vikki Woodfine, Alice Healy, and Joanne Witheford are all outstanding.
Key clients
- ARAG/DAS
- Intact Insurance (formerly Royal & Sun Alliance (RSA))
- Marsh Education
- Ecclesiastical Insurance
- Department for Education
- Oak National Academy
- Serco (Emergency Planning College)
- Blackburn with Darwen Council
- U.M.Association Ltd (UMAL)
- Queen's University, Belfast
Work highlights
Instructed by an education sector insurer on a range of liability claims involving students, staff and third parties, including campus assaults, discrimination and exposure to hazardous substances.
Instructed on sensitive matters involving student deaths in UK independent schools, advising on reporting obligations, coroner and police engagement, inquest proceedings and related judicial review and communications issues.
Advised Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) on securing over £50m in public funding toward a £75m project to develop and operate a new AI driven research facility for One Momentum Zero (MOZ).
Lawyers
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Practice head
Vikki Woodfine; Jonathan Branton
Other key lawyers
Joanne Pizzala; Anna Blythe