I advise organisations and individuals seeking to achieve positive social impact or influence law and public policy. I work closely and collaboratively with my clients, providing practical, robust and risk-based advice, grounded in an understanding of the political, cultural and commercial contexts in which they operate.
I regularly advise at the intersections of philanthropic and commercial activity, charitable and political advocacy, and online and offline activity, developing creative solutions in emerging and untested areas of law. My clients range from small civil society organisations to international businesses, political parties and charitable federations.
I’m also the Chair of the Charity Law Association, a founder of the Electoral Law Forum, a trustee of the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) and ex-trustee or NED of various other charities and non-profits, including Friends of the Earth England & Wales.
Charity, social enterprise and governance: As a partner in our top– tier charity and social enterprise team, I advise am lucky to be able to help charities, social enterprises, mutuals and mission-led businesses on structuring and governance, financing and investment, collaborations and mergers, campaigning and advocacy.
Public affairs, elections and campaigning: I co-lead our specialist elections, public affairs and campaigning law team, which helps political parties, candidates, donors, charities, advocacy organisations, thinktanks and other civil society organisations and campaigners navigate the complex regulatory frameworks affecting the pursuit of their electoral and policy goals. We regularly advise across election and referendum law, campaign finance, lobbying transparency, data privacy, charity law, public law, strategic litigation, advertising and reputation management.
Regulatory engagement, crisis management and disputes: I advise charities, political and civil society organisations on engaging with the Charity Commission, the Electoral Commission, the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists and other regulators. I also support organisations facing significant public, political or media scrutiny, often working alongside public relations and reputation management specialists. My work includes helping clients navigate serious incidents and sensitive internal challenges, including trustee disputes, safeguarding concerns, whistleblowing matters and internal investigations.
- Advising Amnesty International UK across a broad range of charity law, fundraising and governance matters.
- Advising major political parties and high-profile independent candidates on campaign finance, election law, lobbying regulation and transparency requirements, including in connection with investigations by the Electoral Commission and the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists and compliance with the Register of Members’ Financial Interests, the European Union Transparency Register and other parliamentary disclosure and transparency regimes.
- Advising Goldman Sachs Gives, Vodafone Foundation and other major international businesses and connected charitable foundations on corporate philanthropy arrangements and international charitable activities.
- Advising dual structure advocacy organisations on structuring, governance and resource sharing arrangements.
- Advising the Scout Association on governance, contracting and constitutional matters, including updating its historic Royal Charter arrangements.
- Supporting NUS Charity in advising its network of member students’ unions on governance, incorporation, trading and student voice activities, including how charity law duties interact with freedom of speech, equality law, education law and safeguarding requirements.
- Advising major trade unions on the application of the non-party campaigning rules under the “Lobbying Act”, including their interaction with trade union law and the regulation of political funds.
- Advising charitable think tanks on charity law and Charity Commission guidance relating to political activity and charitable education, including their interaction with election law and lobbying regulation.
- Advising on major charity mergers, including between Breast Cancer Care and Breast Cancer Now and between Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation.