The education practice at Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP assists higher education and further education clients, schools, academies and private institutions in a wide range of issues, such as employment, student matters, charity law, litigation and dispute management or real estate, corporate and commercial, intellectual property, and health and safety issues, as well as constitutional and regulatory matters. The group is headed by Nicola Bennison and chaired by Diane Gilhooley. Glynne Stanfield has vast experience in corporate and commercial law and is the key contact for international education and corporate governance. Steven O’Reilly is well-versed in charity law. Chris Mordue provides employment advice to universities and industrial relations issues. Ben Woods provides education clients with governance and employment advice, while Alison Oldfield specialises in litigation and dispute management. Other key members of the education employment team are Robert Gray and Matthew Kelly. The group is well-supported by principal associate Alice Townley Smith and senior associate Laura Marsh.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Chris Mordue is excellent - his knowledge of the HE sector is very comprehensive and his advice is very clear.'
- 'Our contacts at Eversheds make every effort to be as responsive as possible and often go the extra mile to deliver an excellent service. David Hughes, Matthew Kelly and Diane Gilhooly have all been superb to work with and are leading experts in their field.'
- 'We have worked with a number of stand-out individuals who have supported our organisation and our members with detailed employment law support, including David Hughes, Matthew Kelly and Diane Gilhooley - all leading experts in their field.'
- 'An excellent team to work with - very responsive and always extremely helpful.'
- 'Rob Gray is forensic, practical, responsive.'
- 'Good, solid and reliable employment team.'
- 'Glynne Stanfield - second-to-none knowledge of the Higher Education sector, the minutiae of regulations and his experience with clients across the sector.'
- 'Exceptional knowledge of the regulatory side of Higher Education sector and support in progressing matters.'
Key clients
- Goldsmiths, University of London
- London South Bank University
- The Sixth Form Colleges Association
- Boston University, London
- The National Film and Television School
- Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance
- Middlesex University
- The Universities and Colleges Employers’ Association
- University of Roehampton
- University of Essex
- School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS)
- University College London
- King’s College London
- Windsor Forest Colleges Group
- Royal Central School of Speech and Drama
- Richmond University London
- City University London
- Queen Mary University of London
- NCH London
- London Institute of Mathematical Sciences
- Dulwich College
- Global Banking School
- Royal College of General Practitioners
- Harvard Global UK
Work highlights
- Advice to universities on complex free speech and academic freedom issues following the Hamas attacks on 7 October 2023 and Israel’s military action in Gaza. The focus of this work has concerned social media activity and other public comments made by academic staff from a pro-Palestinian perspective which gave rise to internal and external complaints and adverse media coverage, typically alleging anti-semitism or other unlawful content.
- Advising the Universities and Colleges Employer’s Association on sector-wide guidance on responding to the period of industrial action. Advised the numerous universities (including a number in the London region) on their response to this action, including detailed advice on withholding pay for staff taking part in the boycott.
- Assisting King’s College London for about 18 months on their Global Mobility Project regarding remote workers overseas. Our work is ongoing but has so far included assistance with the University’s overseas working policy, training to the HR team on legal issues arising from overseas remote working, ad hoc advice on issues arising during the implementation of the policy.
Lawyers
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Leading partners
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Glynne Stanfield
Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLPPractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Nicola Bennison, Diane Gilhooley