Experience
I’m a professional support lawyer in the Charity & Social Enterprise Department. I support my Bates Wells colleagues by maintaining our knowhow resources, undertaking research tasks, and carrying out training, to help them work effectively and keep up to date with legal developments.
I have been at Bates Wells since 2011 and was previously an associate in the same department, advising organisations large and small on charity law, company law and commercial matters. I have helped many charities to set up and register, and to write or amend their constitution. I have advised on governance including complex membership structures, as well as on contracts, grant arrangements, and regulation including fundraising.
Highlights
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I’ve advised a number of charities working internationally about their governance structures, and how they collaborate with other members of their network.
I’ve also advised on complying with Charity Commission guidance about working overseas.
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I’ve helped set up and register many new charities and social enterprises, as well as their trading subsidiaries.
I’ve assisted with incorporating existing charities as companies and CIOs, including advice about due diligence, drafting the necessary agreements, and dealing with the unincorporated charity after the transfer has gone through.
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I worked on secondment to a national charity, within their fundraising team.
I drafted and updated fundraising contracts, including contracts with professional fundraisers, commercial participators, challenge event organisers and other suppliers. I also worked with their creative team to check that new fundraising materials complied with charity law and fundraising regulations.
- I assisted a national charity, which had lots of local member organisations, to incorporate as a company and at the same time to reorganise its membership structure.
- I’ve acted on mergers between charities and other not-for-profit organisations.
- I’ve advised clients on converting from registered societies (which used to be known as industrial and provident societies) to companies, including sports clubs and registered providers of social housing.
- I’ve advised on spin-outs, including transfers out of larger charities and local authorities.
- I frequently advise on conflicts of interest and other governance matters.
Areas of expertise:
Sectors
Qualifications and career
- Magdalen College, University of Oxford, BA Philosophy, Politics and Economics, 2007
- Unqualified Teacher, Launceston College , 2007-8
- SOAS, University of London, MSc Middle East Politics, 2009
- Education Worker, IntoUniversity at The ClementJames Centre, 2009-10
- Paralegal, Bates Wells, 2011-13
- BPP University Law School, Graduate Diploma in Law, 2012
- BPP University Law School, Legal Practice Course, 2013
- Trainee Solicitor, Bates Wells, 2013-15
- Qualified as a Solicitor in September 2015
- Associate, Bates Wells, 2018
Insights
