Danielle Mawer

Experience

I’ve always had a strong interest in social justice issues – and so enjoy working with charities and social enterprises to assist them in delivering on their mission.

At Bates Wells, I work across a broad range of legal issues, ranging from advising on international collaborations to navigating complex governance issues to assisting with restructures and new ventures. I have a particular interest in human rights, NGOs and advising on international collaborations.

Formalising international collaborations

I have advised a UK charity on formalising its relationship with an off-shore charity that it had established in the Netherlands. This involved preparing an affiliation agreement to set out how the charities would work together and the terms of their relationship. This will enable our client to have a presence in Europe to access EU funding following Brexit and ensure a robust governance framework is in place to align the charities.
Enabling a charity to expand its services

I have advised a UK charity that delivers aged-care services on the establishment of a trading subsidiary. Our client was looking for a way to expand its services to other beneficiaries in the community and generate a new revenue stream, while doing so in a structured and tax effective manner.
Advising on an acquisition

I have advised a professional association on its acquisition of another non-profit, including the due diligence process, sequencing and structuring, and the related governance and tax issues. This will enable our client to expand membership base and deliver a broader range of professional certifications.

Assisting an overseas aid charity to respond to an investigation by the Fundraising Regulator and Charity Commission and improve its fundraising policies and procedures.
Advising a charity on updating its objects and articles and transitioning to a more modernised and smaller governance structure.
Advising an educational charity on a proposed collaboration with a non-charity, including reviewing the proposed agreement and advising the charity trustees on their duties and the key issues to navigate.
Advising a Swiss-based human rights NGO on how it can establish a presence in the UK and the various structuring options available to it.
Advising an animal welfare charity on a complex contract for services, including recommending revisions to key terms to better protect the charity’s interests and ensure it receives value for money.
Advising a large for-profit company on its relationship with its charitable foundation, including the terms of a licence and resource-sharing agreement.

Charity

University of Sydney, Bachelor of Arts (History) and Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours), 2009
College of Law, Diploma of Legal Practice, 2010
Admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales and of the High Court of Australia, 2010
Solicitor, Henry Davis York (now Norton Rose Fulbright), October 2010 – December 2012
Solicitor, Prolegis Lawyers, December 2012 – December 2015
Associate, Prolegis Lawyers, January 2015 – June 2016
Senior Associate, Prolegis Lawyers, July 2016 – March 2019
Seconded to World Vision Australia, August 2016
Joined Bates Wells as an Associate, April 2019

Volunteer solicitor at Kingsford Legal Centre (fortnightly evening shift), 2013 – 2019
North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency, Volunteer internship, August-September 2009
Public Interest Advocacy Centre, Social Justice Placement Program, March-June 2009
Redfern Legal Centre & Domestic Violence Court Advocacy Scheme (weekly volunteer shift), 2007- 2009
Sydney Centre for International Law, Internship, August-November 2008
World Vision Australia: Youth Ambassador (India Study Tour, 2004), NSW Deputy State Director of Vision Generation (2005-2007), Advocacy Research Intern, Johannesburg, South Africa (Summer 2008)