VWV‘s offering is well-placed to advise its varied client roster, which features schools, further and higher education institutions, on governance, employment, immigration, property, and commercial matters. Jane Byford is a higher education employment specialist, with experience handling HR cases. Barney Northover assists independent schools with governance and regulatory issues, while Chloe Brunton assists academies and maintained schools with governance and compliance issues. Birmingham-based Kathy Halliday advises on complex restructures and senior disputes, and Tom Brett-Young covers sponsorship and compliance. Further names to note are Graham Shaw, who advises on academy governance and regulation, and Morag Roddick, who advises on higher education collaborations and commercial projects. Thomas Pollitt advises education institutions and investors on a wide range of corporate and commercial matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- Jane Byford provides quick, clear advice.
- Jaime Hobday, Layal Temrawi, and Luke Exton deserve to be mentioned; both Layal and Luke have managed to bring a number of matters to a successful conclusion. Nick Murrel is working with us on a tricky HR matter, and he has been excellent throughout.
- Morag Roddick - she is not only fantastic for a quick chat, mind dump, or exploration, but her sector knowledge and practical advice are of massive value.
Key clients
- Avanti Schools Trust
- Bangor University
- Bath Spa University
- Birmingham Newman University
- Blue Coat School, Birmingham
- Bournemouth University
- Brunel University London
- Cardiff University
- De Montfort University
- Dudley Academies Trust
- E-ACT
- Edgbaston High School for Girls
Work highlights
Advised Marlow Education Trust on the transfer of Great Marlow School and its trading company to the Trust and on the transfer of a football foundation grant arrangement.
Advising a number of university clients on significant redundancy/restructuring exercises in order to achieve cost savings.
Providing strategic advice to the Dudley Academies Trust in connection with the establishment of a trading subsidiary and the diversification of activities carried out by the Trust.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Morag Roddick
Thomas Pollitt
Practice head
Jane Byford; Barney Northover; Chloe Brunton
Other key lawyers
Tom Brett-Young; Graham Shaw; Morag Roddick; Thomas Pollitt