Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP is known for school project work, governance and regulatory work and has a dedicated student team. It advises on reputation management, privacy and information law and HR matters such as the Teachers’ Pensions Schemes. The group is jointly led by Diane Gilhooley who shares her time between London and Manchester and Ben Wood, who shares his time between London and Leeds. Nicola Bennison advises on complex safeguarding and admission issues, Charlotte Tanikal ‘s real estate practice covers academy conversions and registration of unregistered land, while Alison Oldfield handles a variety of contentious and risk management issues and disputes. Corporate lawyers Nathan Lucas and principal associate Thomas Pollitt, and senior associate Laura O’Brien of the employment team are key team members.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘They have a lot of experience and expertise supporting schools with their legal problems.’
‘Ben Wood has provided valuable support.’
Key clients
- LEAD Academy Trust
- Nova Education Trust
- ASC International Schools
- Beacon Multi Academy Trust
- Batley Multi Academy Trust
- Diocese of Norwich Education and Academies Trust
- Frontier Learning Trust
- Chelsea Academy
- Haberdashers’ Aske’s Federation Trust
- Trinitas Academy Trust
- Twyford Church of England Academies Trust
- Windsor Learning Partnership
- Beyond Schools Trust
- The Harmony Trust
Work highlights
- Defending institutions against claims brought in the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Tribunal alleging disability discrimination and failure to make reasonable adjustments in respect of a pupils.
- Advised a number of trusts on reputation management in the face of aggressive correspondence from parents and parents engaging in social media campaigns making disparaging remarks about the institution and/or individual teachers.
- Running a series of training sessions, including for the Sixth Form Colleges Association, on the use of AI in schools.
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Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Diane Gilhooley, Ben Wood