Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP is recognised for its depth of expertise in the education sector, with extensive experience advising numerous higher education institutions on a range of matters, including employment matters, mergers, free speech issues, transnational education projects and real estate matters. The practice is chaired by Diane Gilhooley and co-led by Nicola Bennison, who specialises in employment and student issues in the higher education sector. Glynne Stanfield heads the firm’s international education and governance group and has significant experience advising on M&A, while Chris Mordue focuses on advising universities on complex employment disputes. Ben Woods provides clients with governance and employment advice, while Alison Oldfield specialises in judicial reviews. Other key members of the team include employment experts Robert Gray and Matthew Kelly, and the team is further supported by Alice Townley Smith and Laura Marsh.

Mills & Reeve LLP is renowned for its work on high-profile and complex matters in the higher education sector. The department is well-equipped to handle a wide range of cases such as employment matters, mergers, harassment and misconduct, free speech, overseas expansions as well as discrimination and equality cases. The team is spearheaded by Martin Priestley, who has extensive experience advising universities on commercial projects and international collaborations. The Birmingham-based Richard Sykes advises higher educational institutions on public and administrative law as well as governance, while the Cambridge-based Poppy Short advises on the full range of corporate and commercial matters. Sarah Seed has vast experience advising universities on financial challenges, and Helen Tringham focuses on public law and data protection matters. Other key members of the team include employment experts Nicola Brown and Alex Russell, property specialists Richard Noble, Christian Bull and Jennifer Lewis and construction expert Alexandra Pike. Former practice head Gary Attle left the firm in December 2024.

Pinsent Masons LLP offers a wide range of services in the education sector, advising and representing numerous universities and higher education bodies on employment tribunal claims, disciplinary procedures, disability discrimination, mergers, harassment allegations, equality matters and COVID-19 student claims. The practice is led by the Leeds-based Victoria Goddard, who specialises in student accommodation projects and complex development structures. The Birmingham-based Gayle Ditchburn has vast experience in advising on mergers and governance, while Julian Sladdin focuses on cases in relation to discrimination and serious misconduct. Helen Corden and Rebecca Stephen handle employment disputes in the sector, and infrastructure specialist Chris Owens focuses on student accommodation projects.

Shakespeare Martineau LLP remains a market leader in the higher education field, advising an array of universities and colleges on real estate, employment, mergers, governance and regulatory matters, as well as on disputes. Smita Jamdar heads the practice and has significant expertise in governance, regulatory, student-facing facing and constitutional matters. The Birmingham-based David Browne heads the employment offering and specialises in restructurings in the education sector, while Tom Long leads the further education practice and focuses on employment tribunal litigation. Real estate expert Clive Read advises universities and colleges on the development of campuses, and construction expert Ruth Phillips specialises in building contracts. Other key members of the team include Catherine Rustomji and Mark Taylor, who advise on mergers; Selina Hinchcliffe, who advises on IP-related matters; Joanna Forbes, who advises on student regulations; Anieka Sheppard, who handles data protection matters; and employment specialist Esther Maxwell.

Blake Morgan LLP’s education team has strong experience across a variety of educational matters, including disciplinary matters, discrimination cases, real estate, employment disputes, safeguarding and regulatory matters. The Cardiff-based Matthew Smith leads the department and has a broad focus on contentious and non-contentious employment matters. Commercial expert Penri Desscan advises clients on procurement-related issues in the sector, while Eve Piffaretti advises on safeguarding and equality issues. Paula Kathrens is an employment expert and handles disciplinary matters and education-related litigation. Joanna Rees advises on both contentious and non-contentious construction matters, and Alison Patten-Hall focuses on IP licensing and confidentiality agreements. The team was further strengthened with the arrival of employment specialist Jane Biddlecombe in 2024.

The education department at Browne Jacobson LLP is well recognised for its extensive experience in the sector, advising universities and colleges on real estate matters, discrimination, DSARs, IP and judicial reviews. The practice is led by Kate Gallagher, who advises on governance and regulatory issues in the higher education sector. Bettina Rigg is an employment specialist and advises on discrimination, equality and diversity, and student matters, and Nathalie Jacoby-Danesh advises on charity law matters as well as corporate and commercial joint ventures. Construction expert Scott Mounfield handles contentious and non-contentious construction matters, as well as construction contracts and development agreements in the education space.

Clyde & Co’s international education practice is experienced in handling a wide range of educational disputes, from employment matters to data protection and real estate cases. David Hansom spearheads the department and is well-experienced in advising universities and colleges on procurement-related issues. Employment specialist James Major handles all aspects of employment disputes, including discrimination and whistleblowing claims, in employment tribunals and the High Court, while Simon Gamblin has a particular focus on merger activity and restructuring. Mark Williamson and Tom Tippett advise clients on data protection and commercial law.

Acting for universities and higher educational bodies, the education practice at Farrer & Co advises on the full range of education matters, including data protection, employment, AI, international collaborations, and governance issues. David Copping leads the team and advises higher education institutions on IP and commercial work. Kathleen Heycock specialises in employment matters with a particular focus on discrimination and whistleblowing tribunal claims, as well as student safeguarding matters. Jeremy Isaacson advises universities on IP issues and consumer law, while Sam Macdonald advises on all aspects of tax and charity law. William Charrington focuses on IP disputes as well as student disputes and misconduct issues.

VWV's dedicated higher and further education team has in-depth knowledge and experience in the sector and advises on a wide range of education matters, including real estate, employment disputes, immigration, and procurement work. Jane Byford spearheads the practice and advises clients on employment and HR issues. Michael Halsey advises higher education clients in disciplinary issues and discrimination claims, while Bob Fahy handles tribunal litigation, trade union relationships, and HR cases. Paul Voller leads the charity practice and has particular expertise in handling teaching collaborations, Kris Robbetts specialises in all aspects of student matters, and Morag Roddick focuses on corporate and commercial matters in the sector. Charity law specialist Rachel Tonkin is also a key member of the team.

The education department at Weightmans LLP advises universities on a wide variety of issues such as AI, judicial reviews, real estate matters, construction projects and employment disputes. The Manchester-based Martin Vincent leads the team and advises universities on international ventures and procurement-related issues. Rose Moss is adept at handling the full range of real estate issues and assists clients with new campus development projects. Other key members of the team include pensions expert Philip Woolham and commercial litigator Josh Conroy.

Bates Wells handles the full spectrum of education matters, advising higher education and further education institutions on employment matters, property, free speech, charity and governance as well as discrimination claims. The practice is led by Jean Tsang, who has a broad education practice and advises on governance, charity, mergers and safeguarding. Lucy Mclynn leads the employment department and advises further education clients on all aspects of employment law, while Simon Steeden advises student unions on governance and compliance. Matthew Smith has a particular focus on advising education clients on data protection and freedom of information work. The team is further supported by Mark Abbott.

Bevan Brittan LLP represents higher education and further education clients on a variety of matters such as academic partnerships, employment matters, property, corporate and commercial matters. The team is jointly led by Virginia Cooper, who focuses on litigation and judicial reviews, and the Birmingham-based Ashley Norman, who specialises in immigration and employment matters. Amy Tschobotko advises on sensitive issues and litigation involving students, while Tijen Ahmet, also in Birmingham, handles business agreements. The team was further strengthened with the arrival of partner Joel Eytle in February 2025.

Burges Salmon LLP has an experienced education team that advises a variety of clients on new campus developments, employment disputes and IP matters. The Bristol-based Matthew Ramus oversees the department and specialises in complex projects and strategic contracts in the education sector. Employment expert Luke Bowery advises a variety of educational institutions on all contentious and non-contentious employment law-related matters, while John Houlden is well experienced in procurement matters. Other key members of the team include corporate finance specialist Tim Roberts and business immigration expert Huw Cooke.

Penningtons Manches Cooper LLP‘s education practice offers a wide range of expertise in educational matters, including freedom of speech, safeguarding, immigration, data protection, regulatory and employment disputes. The practice group is co-led by the Oxford-based Daff Richardson, who specialises in student matters, and the Cambridge-based Hilary Aldred, who focuses on contentious and non-contentious employment work. Pat Saini leads the immigration team and advises on student visas and compliance, while Anna Frankum leads the IP, IT and commercial practice. Sophie Whitbread is another key member of the team.

Specialist boutique firm JG Poole & Co. LLP focuses exclusively on higher education and advises clients on real estate, construction, student matters, governance and data protection matters. The practice is led by Jason Poole, who advises higher education institutions on real estate projects. Banking and finance expert Helen Bolton advises clients on funding-related matters, while Lucy Poole has a broad education practice and advises on contentious and non-contentious education work.

The education team at Withers LLP represents higher education and further education clients in a wide array of educational issues, including joint ventures, employment disputes, immigration and data protection. Philip Reed leads the practice and has a broad education practice advising on mergers and restructuring, governance, trading and tax matters. Chris Priestley leads the charities practice and has experience advising universities on commercial projects, while Alison Paines advises educational charities. Hugh More is another key member of the team and focuses on advising clients on all aspects of employment law.