Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP provides legal counsel to a diverse range of clients, including higher education and further education providers, schools, academies, and private education institutions. The firm’s expertise spans various areas such as employment matters, charity law issues, litigation, dispute management and regulatory work. Mandates for university clients concerning free speech and academic freedom issues are also a notable area of activity for the team. Higher education specialist Chris Mordue leads the offering in Leeds alongside ‘standout partner’ Ben Woods. Alison Oldfield wins plaudits for her handling of reputationally sensitive disputes and public law challenges. Charlotte Tanikal is equipped to assist education clients with a wide range of matters including real estate disposals and the establishment of free schools.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team is highly responsive, personable and efficient. they offer a very professional service, but with the personal touch by taking time to really get to know the client. It feels as though they care, and they provide a bespoke, personalised service.'
‘Ben Wood really is fantastic. Not only very personable, he is knowledge, experienced, thoughtful and generally an all-round excellent individual!’
‘Put simply the team had specific knowledge of the precise regulatory area of contention, and thus were able to understand the workings, processes and likely reactions and outcomes to different strategies.'
‘Alison Oldfield was able to expertly navigate and dovetail together legal aspects with regulatory process, procedures and reactions by the other party to determine an optimal strategy which would maximise the chances of success.'
- 'Alison Oldfield was clear and concise in her explanations of the legal and regulatory nuances and associated ramifications.'
- 'The wider team more generally were technically excellent, well-experienced but equally humanistic in their approach.'
‘I have been working in the education sector for nearly 30 years. In all that time I have used the services of Eversheds Sutherland. The fact that I continue to use Eversheds Sutherland is testament to the fact that they are very strong in providing advice to the education sector.
- 'One of the key features for me is the speed with which first class advice can be received in all areas! I have used other legal practices and for me the speed in obtaining advice is an issue. So often a problem arises quickly and requires advice to be provided in another arena. Eversheds excel at this provision of accurate fast advice.’
Key clients
- University of Reading
- University of Sheffield
- Durham University
- University of Leeds
- University of Sheffield
- University of Hull
- University of Roehampton
- University of Huddersfield
- University of Essex
- University of Nottingham
- Sheffield Hallam University
- University of York
- Leeds Trinity University
- Norther School of Contemporary Dance
- York St John University
- School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS)
- University of Leicester
- University of Reading
- University College London
- King’s College London
- University of Plymouth
- Askham Bryan College
- DN Colleges Group
- Leeds College of Building
- Luminate Education Group
- RNN Group
- Heart of Yorkshire College Group
- Windsor Forest Colleges Group
- Beacon Multi Academy Trust
- Batley Multi Academy Trust
- Chelsea Academy
- Activate Learning Education Group
- LEAD Academy Trust
- NOVA Education Trust
- The Potteries Education Trust
- The Prospect Trust
- Trinitas Academies Trust
- The Wensum Trust
- EEF Limited
Work highlights
- Advising numerous universities on complex legal and regulatory issues relating to freedom of speech within the law arising from the 7th October Hamas attacks and the subsequent Israeli military action in Gaza.
- Supporting a university in London to successfully deliver a major restructuring, essential for its financial stability, and reducing academic staff numbers by around 70 staff without resorting to compulsory redundancy.
- Acting for Make UK on its judicial review challenge to an “inadequate” grading by Ofsted of its apprenticeship centre in Birmingham.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Charlotte Tanikal
Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLPPractice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Chris Mordue, Ben Wood