Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP continues to excel at advising higher and further education clients on a wide range of regulatory and commercial matters, leveraging its national strength to maintain close relationships with universities and sector associations across the UK. The team is well-regarded for its expertise in contentious and non-contentious employment matters, having provided advice on major higher education employment frameworks in addition to handling large-scale restructuring programmes, unfair dismissal and discrimination claims, and strike action responses. Universities also frequently instruct the firm to advise on mergers, expansions, sales, and international activities. Nicola Bennison, an employment and discrimination specialist, divides her time between London and Nottingham and co-leads the practice with London-based lawyer Diane Gilhooley, who has handled a number of sexual harassment claims and regularly advises on industrial relations. Other key contacts in the team include London- and Cambridge-based governance expert Glynne Stanfield, who has advised on major mergers and expansions, and experienced litigator Alison Oldfield, who divides her time between London and Leeds and has a record of handling protestor disruptions.