Ward Hadaway strengthens education team

Law firm Ward Hadaway has strengthened its education practice with the appointments of Jill Donabie and Emma Swann as partners.

Based in Newcastle, Jill brings extensive experience advising schools, academy trusts and colleges on employment and education law matters, including staffing issues, pupil policies, exclusions, SEND and parental matters.

Jill said: “Education providers need advisers who are responsive, pragmatic and used to working with senior leaders under pressure. 

“Much of the work in this sector is sensitive and time-critical, so it is important to enable organisations to make decisions with confidence.

“Ward Hadaway’s education practice has real breadth, and my new role gives me the opportunity to bring my experience into a wider team advising trusts, schools of all kinds and colleges across the North East and beyond.”

Emma joins the firm’s education team with expertise advising multi-academy trusts, independent schools, further education colleges and diocesan boards on academy conversions, mergers and acquisitions, governance, pastoral issues and commercial matters.

The appointments come as demand for Ward Hadaway’s education services has grown significantly, with work from education providers increasing by around 40 per cent over the past year.

Together, Jill and Emma strengthen the firm’s expertise across employment, education and commercial law, further enhancing its support for schools and colleges across the UK.

Their arrival follows the recent promotion of employment specialist Tom Shears to partner.

Graham Vials, head of education at Ward Hadaway, added: “Our growth reflects the range of issues now facing leadership teams in schools and trusts. 

“Jill’s appointment adds further senior employment and people related expertise in Newcastle and nationally, while Emma brings additional commercial and governance experience to the practice. 

“They strengthen the partner-led service we provide to clients, from day-to-day matters through to more complex work.”

Managing partner Steven Petrie added: “Jill’s arrival reflects the continued growth of Ward Hadaway and adds further senior expertise to our Newcastle office. 

“Together with Emma’s appointment, it strengthens our national education practice across commercial, governance, employment and student related work. 

“These hires support our wider strategy of building specialist teams with the sector experience clients need, both regionally and nationally.”

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