Advising on matters spanning corporate and governance restructuring issues, academy conversions, complaints and safeguarding issues, PHP Law LLP‘s education team is held in high regard by its clients for its ’personal service and friendly team’, as well as its ‘wealth of knowledge and experience across the sector’. The team is jointly led by education sector expert Antony Power; Laura Partridge, known for her expertise in trust governance and re-brokerage of academies; and Leicester-based data protection and education lawyer John Walker, who joined the firm following PHP’s merger with John Walker Solicitors in April 2023. Barrister Russell Holland is also noted, as is property lawyer Jason Stanley and procurement and contract specialist Josie Medforth.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team at PHP Law LLP have a sound knowledge of the education sector and have demonstrated this to us throughout our time using them. They have provided expert advice on complex matters.’
‘The team have an excellent understanding of the education sector and therefore understand the challenges of this sector. They are also readily available to support with challenging issues and we always feel that we can speak to an expert quickly when needed.’
‘Antony Power ensures that the practice is value-led and can provide strategic advice about the education sector. He maintains a strong oversight of performance of the practice to ensure it meets the needs of its clients.'
- 'Laura Partidge has supported us closely through a complicated period of growth ensuring that we have the best legal advice promptly and she is always available to ensure that our interests are well protected. She understands our Trust very well.'
'Their honesty and transparency is always appreciated. Their in-depth knowledge of the sector and the unique challenges we face is second to none. They are responsive and never make you feel that you are asking silly questions.'
‘Working with colleagues from PHP law is always a positive experience. Individuals are responsive, supportive and make us as the client feel that we are valued. It genuinely feels like you can ask anything and there will be no judgement.’
‘Education specialists. Very responsive. Practical advice grounded in education/academy experience. Happy to give 'advice' not just legal position.'
‘John Walker - expansive knowledge of the education sector. Excellent personal relationship with staff. Very well-liked by governors and is able to meet with the required staff whenever necessary.’
Key clients
- Academies Enterprise Trust
- Westcountry Schools Trust
- Reach South
- The Ted Wragg Multi Academy Trust
- Truro and Penwith Academy Trust
- Grove Learning Partnership
- Aspire Academy Trust
- Embark Multi Academy Trust
- Central Co-operative Learning Trust
- Esteem Multi Academy Trust
- Equals Academy Trust
- Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust
- The Academy for Character and Excellence
- Link Academy Trust
- St Christopher’s C of E MAT
- Dorset Council
- Reading Borough Council
- Bristol City Council
- Extoll Academy Trust
- TEAM Multi Academy Trust
- The First Federation Trust
- Liverpool Diocesan Schools Trust
- Torquay Girls Grammar School
- Transforming Futures Multi Academy Trust Limited
- Holy Family Catholic Multi Academy Trust
- Acorn Multi Academy Trust
- Riviera Education Trust
- The Rise Partnership Trust
- Great Learners Trust
- WAVE Multi Academy Trust
- Learning Academy Partnership (South West)
- WAVE Multi Academy Trust
- Uffculme Academy Trust
- Ventrus MAT
- Tarka Learning Partnership
- Attenborough Learning Trust
- Brooke Hill Academy Trust
- Crofty Multi Academy Trust
- Hallam Schools Partnership Academy Trust
- LiFE Multi Academy Trust
- Oak Multi academy Trust
- Open Thinking Partnership
- Rise Multi Academy Trust
- Rutland Learning Trust
- Success Academy Trust
- The Catholic Diocese of Nottingham
- The Spencer Academy Trust
- Wigston Academies Trust
- Thomas Telford Multi Academy Trust
Work highlights
- Advised Academies Enterprise Trust in relation to a high-profile and complex procurement challenge.
- Advised Thomas Telford Trust in relation to its judicial review of Ofsted.
- Supporting the Academies for Character and Excellence in the rebrokerage of academies from Redstart Learning Partnership.
Lawyers
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Antony Power, Laura Partridge, John Walker