Bates Wells, Charities | Chambers UK Profile

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About

Provided by Bates Wells

Our strength isn’t only in the full range of services we offer to charities. It’s in the fact our whole firm understands what charities need.

Between us, we’ve seen and solved most legal problems a charity could face. We suspect it’s why we’re the firm of choice for thousands of charities across the UK. So whether you’re fundraising or finding office space, we can help.

We’re committed to supporting the wider sector. We’ve spearheaded legal reforms, from pioneering cases in the fields of charity investment and human rights, through to registering novel charitable purposes.

For more information, visit https://bateswells.co.uk/sectors/not-for-profit/legal-services-for-charities/

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Charities: Legacy Disputes - UK-wide

2

Band 2

What the Team is Known For

Bates Wells has a top-rated charities team that provides a comprehensive service to several of the most prominent charities in the country across a broad range of sectors, including health, child protection and animal welfare. Several of the firm's lawyers sit on the boards of different charity-related bodies. The team advises on a full range of regulatory work, including governance, fundraising, legacy disputes and trustee issues, as well as a broad range of commercial issues, including investments, mergers, restructurings and corporate partnerships. The firm also offers standout expertise assisting clients with contentious issues, including inquiries by the Charity Commission.

View ranking table

Work Highlights

Bates Wells advised The Scout Association on the appointment of King Charles as patron of the Scouts.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Bates Wells is incredibly professional and astute in both charity law and also the auditing needs of the charities and the information that they require. The work it does is impeccable.

Charities: Legacy Disputes respondent
UK

Bates Wells is understanding of the client, responsive to requests, takes a tailored approach and has strong knowledge of best practice with an ability to draw in specific experts where needed.

Charities: Legacy Disputes respondent
UK

Bates Wells brings to bear best-in-class technical expertise on charities law matters. Bates Wells really takes the time to get to know your organisation and the stakeholders within it.

Charities: Legacy Disputes respondent
UK

I really appreciate Bates Wells ability to understand us a client, to advise on the best solution which feels well thought through and tailored to our needs.

Charities: Legacy Disputes respondent
UK

I trust the advice of Bates Wells explicitly. I have found them to be friendly, professional and robust in their approach to defending the charity.

Charities: Legacy Disputes respondent
UK

Bates Wells is incredibly professional and astute in both charity law and also the auditing needs of the charities and the information that they require. The work it does is impeccable.

Charities: Legacy Disputes respondent
UK

Bates Wells is understanding of the client, responsive to requests, takes a tailored approach and has strong knowledge of best practice with an ability to draw in specific experts where needed.

Charities: Legacy Disputes respondent
UK

Bates Wells brings to bear best-in-class technical expertise on charities law matters. Bates Wells really takes the time to get to know your organisation and the stakeholders within it.

Charities: Legacy Disputes respondent
UK

I really appreciate Bates Wells ability to understand us a client, to advise on the best solution which feels well thought through and tailored to our needs.

Charities: Legacy Disputes respondent
UK

I trust the advice of Bates Wells explicitly. I have found them to be friendly, professional and robust in their approach to defending the charity.

Charities: Legacy Disputes respondent
UK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

1

Philip Kirkpatrick

1

Band 1

Philip Kirkpatrick is deputy managing partner at the firm and a leading figure in the third-sector legal market. He boasts a track record of significant mandates, advising high-profile clients on issues ranging from commercial partnerships and restructurings to inquiries by the Charity Commission.

Philip Kirkpatrick truly cares about his charity clients and is passionate about improving charity governance.

Philip is an exceptional lawyer and has a focus on achieving the outcome.

1

Thea Longley

1

Band 1

Thea Longley is head of the charity team at Bates Wells and is a well-known adviser in the charities market who is highly versed in sensitive regulatory work and fundraising matters. Her practice also includes assisting with restructuring initiatives and providing general commercial advice.

Thea is simply a pleasure to work with.

2

Leticia Jennings

2

Band 2

Leticia Jennings has a wide-ranging litigation practice that sees her defend major household-name charities in legacy disputes. She also has experience advising on matters relating to charity governance and charity fraud.

Leticia is absolutely excellent. She is a good tactician and she believes in taking initiative in the matters she is involved with. She is technically superb. I can't praise her highly enough.

She is very good at explaining things quite clearly and being upfront and direct in a good way.

Leticia has been a trusted adviser to us on some very tricky contentious aspects of a matter and showed strong judgment.

Leticia is my type of litigant. I like the way she balances litigation, she has the charities' interests very much in mind.

Leticia always delivers an exceptional level of service. She is approachable and responsive and her work always reflects a high degree of legal sophistication, always of the highest standard.

3

Lawrence Simanowitz

3

Band 3

Lawrence Simanowitz regularly assists large charities with regulatory questions and is experienced in safeguarding, governance and constitutional matters. He also advises charities on fundraising and data protection issues.

We really appreciate Lawrie's flexibility to our needs, sometimes in a changing environment, and his ability to find a solution in challenging circumstances.

Lawrie is very practical and to the point. He cuts through complexities to find the answer that best suits your needs. Clear and helpful guidance.

4

Laura Soley

4

Band 4

Laura Soley has broad expertise and regularly advises charities on governance, funding and challenges against the Charity Commission.

She is knowledgeable, has great skills and expertise. She found the solution we needed and put it in place.

Laura is thorough, has attention to detail and is responsive.

4

Luke Fletcher

4

Band 4

Luke Fletcher takes on substantial charity law mandates for a variety of charity and social investment clients. His broad practice includes assisting with charity fund formations and corporate reorganisations.

Luke Fletcher brings charity expertise, genuine commitment and intelligence to his work. He is not only focused and dedicated to the aims of his work, but he is also a pleasure to work with.

I could not be more impressed with him on the way he has supported and advised us.

4

Simon Steeden

4

Band 4

Simon Steeden is a London-based partner in the firm's charity and social enterprise team. He is noted for his proficiency in advising clients on a broad range of governance and financing matters.

Simon is very knowledgeable, of course, but I particularly like his approachable manner, his attentiveness and his clear and concise communications.

4

Stephanie Biden

4

Band 4

Stephanie Biden leads the firm's work with faith-based charities with particular experience in complex governance issues impacting churches and other faith-based charity clients. She also has expertise in charity registrations and mergers with high-profile clients.

Stephanie's depth and breadth of charities law expertise and the impressive judgment she bring to bear on top are very impressive.

Stephanie Biden is very shrewd and very quick.

U

Lucy Rhodes

U

Up and Coming

Lucy Rhodes is a Partner in the charity and social enterprise team at Bates Wells. She has a particular focus on advising corporate and individual philanthropists on the establishment of charitable bodies.

Lucy is personable, great to work with, pragmatic, and gives excellent advice.

Filter by

UK-wide

Charities

1

Philip Kirkpatrick

1

Band 1

1

Thea Longley

1

Band 1

3

Lawrence Simanowitz

3

Band 3

4

Laura Soley

4

Band 4

4

Luke Fletcher

4

Band 4

4

Simon Steeden

4

Band 4

4

Stephanie Biden

4

Band 4

U

Lucy Rhodes

U

Up and Coming

Charities: Legacy Disputes

2

Leticia Jennings

2

Band 2

Members

Provided by Bates Wells

Lawrence Simanowitz

Leticia Jennings

Philip Kirkpatrick

Stephanie Biden