England - London • Public sector
Winckworth Sherwood LLP
In addition to its well-established reputation for advising faith schools, Winckworth Sherwood LLP is capable of assisting with religious and non-religious MAT establishments, site acquisitions and disposals, employment litigations and tribunal claims, and issues surrounding parental complaints, particularly in relation to sensitive teaching materials. The practice is led by Andrea Squires, who has advised on academy conversions and is also regarded as a key contact for advice on religious matters in schools. Squires often works alongside Aida Smajlovic, who is regarded as ‘the shining example of an employment lawyer in the education sector’, in advising on industrial action, reputationally sensitive staff issues, and payment disputes. Theresa Kerr is a key contact for advising on parent issues, especially in relation to religious freedoms as well as safeguarding and exclusion matters,
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Aida Smajlovic specialises in respondent employment work for schools and other educational institutions. The team are the go-to experts for any client within the education sector looking for legal advice.’
‘Aida Smajlovic is the shining example of an employment lawyer in the education sector. There is nothing she doesn't know in terms of employment law, and she is also tactically very good. She is excellent. Harry Brown is also a rising star. Both are a safe pair of hands.’
‘Andrea Squires is excellent. Calm, thorough, knowledgeable, approachable’
‘Aida Smajlovic is always responsive, personable, highly knowledgeable, and direct with her advice, which is incredibly helpful.’
‘The team are excellent. As field-leading lawyers with the full range of skills, they can quickly grasp any problem as well as help an organisation to plan for the future. I've never come across such an excellent legal team in this sector. The aspect I value most is that the team are always available and conscious of speed.’
‘Andrea Squires is outstanding on every level. She's fast, rigorous, thoughtful, and evaluative when negotiating on my behalf. She's everything and more that could be wished for in a lawyer.’
‘Theresa Kerr is very good. Very experienced, good judgment, and good systems in place for urgent cases.’
‘Winckworth Sherwood are particularly strong in the crossover between employment and education law. They also have a number of solicitors with experience of acting for parents which they are able to bring to bear when advising schools in litigation.’
Key clients
- All Saints Catholic School
- Caterham School
- Department for Education
- Department for Education
- Diocese of Hallam
- Dudley College
- East Barnet School
- Future Academies
- Governing Body of St Paul’s CofE VA Primary and Nursery School
- Kent County Council
- LocatED
- London Borough of Brent
- London Borough of Enfield
- London Borough of Hillingdon
- London Borough of Southwark
- Multi Academy Trust
- Newham Community Learning
- St Francis and St Clare CMATs
- St Joseph’s Catholic Academy Trust
- Tenterden Schools Trust
- Text Help Limited
- The Church of England Education Office
- The Disabilities Trust
Work highlights
- Advised the Archdiocese of Liverpool and St Joseph Catholic MAT, a “turnaround” MAT, on its establishment and on the first waves of schools joining the MAT.
- Advised the Church of England on a range of legal matters, including site ownership, capital programmes, funding questions, legislation, HR and employment.
- Advised the Department for Education on matters related to PFI and schools with a religious character, including on the complexities involved for schools with site trustees on the development of new model documents and guidance for schools, diocesan authorities and local authorities.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Andrea Squires