Weightmans is building a pensions practice with a particular focus on public service, education, charity, and LGPS-related work. Led by Cat Ellis in Leeds, the team is gaining traction on university pensions strategy, SUSS exits, and local authority restructuring matters.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- I was especially impressed by the team's diligence and scrutiny - we were very reassured that all aspects of the problem were understood and that all risks were being managed. The team's attention to us was superb, and - on the few occasions it was required - their substitution of lead staff members, with other very well-briefed colleagues, was impressive.
- Our lead partner was Cat Ellis. We found her friendly, highly efficient, and very personable. She worked very well with an external third party and coordinated everything very effectively. She produced a detailed and accurate initial brief and delivered on it, on time and within budget. We were equally impressed with Ross Hutchinson, who led on employment law elements, and Phil Woolham, who stood in for Cat on occasion.
- Cat Ellis has a great approach, really knows her stuff but delivers in a pragmatic style.
- The team has a particular expertise in the field of public sector pensions and punches above its weight in this area.
Work highlights
Developed a specialism in advising student unions and their sponsoring universities on the student union’s exit from participation in Students’ Union Superannuation Scheme (‘SUSS’), a defined benefit pension arrangement.
Providing advice to a number of universities on their options in respect of pensions cost and risk reduction across their pension arrangements including the USS, LGPS, TPS and their own defined benefit trust based arrangements.
Provided strategic pensions (and employment) law advice to a large number of local authorities in relation to the proposed re-structuring of various services.
Lawyers
Firms to watch
Practice head
Cat Ellis