Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP’s specialist charities practice advises a diverse client base on complex constitutional, governance, transactional and regulatory matters. The team supports clients throughout the full lifecycle of their operations, from formation to mergers and wind-downs, with particular expertise across the religion, education, grant-making, care and membership organisation spaces. Emma Moody leads the Newcastle team and is highly regarded for advising trustees and directors on legal duties and governance. Sally Cooper specialises in constitutional matters, particularly for grant-making charities.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Emma Moody and her team are much more than a standard law team, they will listen, work with what the client requires in a particular situation, and be empathetic to existing relationships and sensitivities. I cannot recommend this team highly enough, they are the best team that I have ever worked with.’
‘Emma Moody has the depth of character and knowledge that leaves you knowing that you are in safe and competent hands. The attention to detail and additional advice are wonderful.’
‘We have been supported by Womble Bond Dickinson for all legal matters relating to the charity's operation. They have provided consistently high-quality legal advice across charity governance, contracts, employment and TUPE, property and other matters in my experience.'
- 'We have been well-supported by WBD to deliver a charity merger/acquisition, which involved several members of the team across the above matters. The WBD team were instrumental in delivering the merger, keeping us on track and in line with relevant legislation.’
‘Emma Moody has provided excellent advice and leadership across important legal matters impacting the charity. She has drawn in additional advice from experts in other areas of practice. Emma responds to our queries effectively and is excellent at rooting our queries in relevant legislation to reduce organisational risk.'
- 'Sally Cooper has been very effective in supporting us in our merger. She is particularly effective in keeping us on track, establishing critical deadlines and supporting the development of our legal agreements, which have been essential in progressing the merger.’
Key clients
- BBC Children in Need
- Royal Academy of Engineering
- Dogs Trust
- Mental Health Matters
- Everyturn
- Archbishops' Council
- York Diocesan Board of Finance
- National Energy Action
- Church of England Central Services
- Humankind Charity (now trading as Waythrough)
- NCFE
- Zoe's Place
Work highlights
Supported Everyturn, a national provider of mental health and wellbeing services, on its acquisition of regional charity Streetwise Young People's Project.
Supported National Energy Action on a range of projects with energy providers and other charities working with vulnerable beneficiaries, to provide energy advice and alleviate fuel poverty.
Advised Humankind Charity (now trading as Waythrough) on its multi-million pound merger with Richmond Fellowship.
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.
Sally Cooper
Practice head
Emma Moody
Other key lawyers
Sally Cooper