Browne Jacobson LLP

Julia is a partner in the education team and heads the South West team based in Exeter. Recognised as a Leading Individual by Legal 500, Julia advises on academy conversions and works with schools, academies and Independent Colleges.

Having previously worked as a real estate lawyer, Julia moved to education law to further her career. She has been a governor of a Further Education College in Cornwall and was chair of governors for a secondary school in Devon.

Julia has experience of advising on the full range of the academy programme including standalone convertors, sponsored convertors, creating new academy groups whether through multi-academy trusts or alternative structures and acquisitions and mergers of multi academy trusts.

Working closely with CEOs, head teachers and COOs to ensure proper support and advice are provided to them and their wider staff, Julia has advised on a wide range of matters including data protection, exclusions, admissions, complaints, governance and safeguarding. Julia has delivered training to the NAHT, co-operative schools and academies, school business associations, governor associations and dioceses on a wide variety of educational matters and has also co-presented with accountants and other professional advisors to schools and academies.