Walker Morris LLP provides a full service offering to education sector clients, with all teams working from the firm’s Leeds location. Employment, pension, banking, and regulatory issues are all handled by the firm, which is additionally well equipped to handle litigation and other contentious matters. Construction specialist Jules Harbage leads the team, which includes Alex Jones and Lucy Wilde.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • Accessible, responsive, and representing the clients' best interests.
  • Very approachable and knowledgeable team who provide a professional service to their clients.
  • In her capacity as Senior Associate, Lucy Wild and her colleagues continue to provide a first-class service in what is a new sector for our business. Lucy and the team at Walker Morris have guided us through the early stages of the project, bringing in Alastair Robertson as Partner where necessary and introducing us to trainee solicitor colleagues as appropriate.
  • The ability to explain matters in a clear and concise manner when input on "wording / agreement" is required from the client. Quick at responding to emails and telephone calls.
  • Walker Morris is able to assign the lawyer with the relevant experience in relation to the project. In our situation, a Partner is always at hand should it be required. The advice given when negotiating appointment documents has the Client's best interest at the forefront and protects us against risks as best as possible. They are easy to work with, explain matters in such a way that they are easily understood, especially if you are not from a legal background. They work efficiently and are proactive in getting documents agreed with consultants.

Key clients

  • Leeds Arts University
  • Burnley College
  • Dorrington Academy Trust
  • Eveleigh Link Academy Trust
  • Every Child Matters Academy Trust
  • Excel Academy Partnership Trust
  • Findel Education
  • Innovate Multi Academy Trust
  • King Edward Vi Education Trust
  • Leeds College of Building
  • New Collaborative Learning Trust
  • South Lincolnshire Academies Trust
  • St Mary's Catholic High School
  • Stanley Learning Partnership Trust
  • The Consortium Multi Academy Trust
  • The Grammar School at Leeds
  • The Rutland Learning Trust
  • Westgate Academy
  • Zenith Multi Academy Trust
  • Aspire Schools Trust

Work highlights

Acting for Unite in relation to construction legal support for a £250m, 2000-bedroom purpose-built student accommodation development in joint venture with the University of Newcastle.
Acting for Quantum MAT in relation to the merger of two academy trusts into a new entity (Quantum MAT).
Acting for Thorpe Park Developments for the development of a new build 1,000-place sixth form facility comprising a four-storey superblock design with an anticipated gross internal area of circa 8,400 m² with external works including car parking for staff and visitors, hard and soft landscaping and foul and surface water drainage.
Practice head

Jules Harbage

Other key lawyers

Alex Jones; Lucy Wild