Weightmans LLP

Jo qualified as a barrister in 2003 and cross qualified as a solicitor in 2007.

Having worked for commercial organisations, with specialisms in working with social housing providers, charities and local authorities over the length of her legal career, Jo is an expert legal voice and a highly experienced lawyer in a wide range of business critical governance, regulatory and constitutional areas.

Her experience includes governance advice, policy and constitutional issues, identifying and mitigating risk, and advising on strategic projects such as stock transfers and group structures. She also has expertise in commercial contracts and partnering arrangements and complex negotiations, including with local authorities, third party solicitors and funders’ solicitors on contract terms, warranties, service level agreements, nominations, VAT sharing and VAT shelters.

Jo also advises on a wide range of mergers, cost-sharing vehicles, JVs and other partnering and collaboration arrangements, including JVs between charitable and private organisations, and also matters ranging from codes of conduct and board member service agreements to restructures, creating subsidiary organisations and intra-group arrangements.

Jo is at the cutting edge of developments in the regulatory environment, regularly speaking at seminars and conferences on changes affecting the charitable and social housing sector.

Jo also demonstrates authoritative thought leadership through her regular blogs and contributions to the housing press. Jo was also a contributory author to the legal text Handbook of Co-operative and Community Benefit Society Law and is the vice chair of the North West branch of the Chartered Institute of Housing and is a registered CIH trainer.