Adam McRae-Taylor
Moore BarlowMoore Barlow is adept at handling complex strategic work, advising independent schools and sector associations on a vast range of issues, such as inspections, data subject access requests, employment matters, exclusions, parental complaints, and safeguarding. The schools team, led by Joanna Lada-Walicki, assists in school acquisitions and mergers, strategic policy and statue reviews while Gordon Reid assists in all aspects of charity law as well as school mergers. Ben Collingwood is key for his expertise in matters concerning students with special educational needs. Adam McRae-Taylor and Olivia Stanton cover Teachers’ Pension Schemes (TPS) work, while Paul Ridout has a particular focus on faith schools.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Joanna Lada-Walicki is outstanding, so too Ben Collingwood and Adam McRae-Taylor. ’
‘Moore Barlow distinguishes itself through a combination of expertise, innovation, and first-class relationships.
‘We work with Joanna Lada Walicki, Adam McRae-Taylor and Rachel Hetherington. All of whom I would thoroughly recommend. I am not sure where Joanna gets her energy from! She always has time to listen and has that unique ability to see a clear route through a problem. Her advice is comprehensive and her instructions clear. You feel that the team have time for you - even if you call unexpectedly!’
‘Joanna and her team are brilliant solicitors, dedicated expects efficient and reliable. Their skills and professional approach are outstanding. Joanna provides a highly professional service, always putting the interests of our charity first.’
‘General overview advice is extremely useful and followed up by specific well thought out, personalised advice to your own specific situation. The Education Team has a wide and strong skill set and all the team are very approachable and knowledgeable. They will always ensure that the best suited team member's advice is sought to provide you with well considered, sensitive and sensible advice.’
‘Joanna Lada-Walicki is highly intelligent and perceptive. She is very approachable and understands instructions clearly from all angles to arrive at the best possible resolution. She is always friendly and willing to help. The advice that she has provided to us has always been superb and at the highest level.’
‘Adam McRae-Taylor is first class. Always has very sound advice.’
‘Olivia Stanton, Adam McRae-Taylor and Joanna Lada-Walicki have been my go-to team for nearly five years and haven't changed - we have a good, well-developed relationship and I both trust and value their counsel. They are funny, good-humoured, and kind, and I feel they always have my and my school's best interests at heart.’
Key clients
- The Girls’ Day School Trust
- Bede’s School
- The Royal Grammar School, Guildford
- St Albans High School for Girls
- Seaford College
- Royal Russell School
- Effingham Schools Trust
- Hurstpierpoint College
- Our Lady of Sion School
- Achieve Education Limited
- Box Hill School
- The Study Prep, Wimbledon
- Cottesmore School
- Ursuline Preparatory School, Wimbledon
- Farney Close School
- Gayhurst School
- Halstead (Educational Trust) Limited
- King’s Road Nursery School
- Rokeby School
- Elstree School
Work highlights
- Advised Effingham Schools Trust, which operates St Teresa’s School and Cranmore School, on a merger with Manor House School which completed in Summer 2023.
- Advised Cottesmore School on its proposed changes to pension arrangements under the Teachers’ Pension Scheme.
- Advised the Girls’ Day School Trust on various real estate matters across its 25 schools’ estates.
Lawyers
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Joanna Lada-Walicki
Moore BarlowPractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Joanna Lada-Walicki