About

Provided by VWV

Charities tell us that they want a law firm that provides pragmatic and commercially focused legal support for their trustees and senior management teams to help them deliver the best outcomes for their beneficiaries.

Our experienced team of charity lawyers is always on hand to provide practical solutions to problems and to give the confidence to react positively to opportunities.

We have a large team of sector specialist lawyers carrying out a wide range of work for a diverse range of clients, much of which is complex and sensitive. Our charities team is one of the largest outside London, although our clients are based throughout the UK and overseas. Within the wider charity sector, we specialise in advising charities involved with faith healthcare, the arts and education. We also specialise in advising public sector bodies such as local authorities on charity law and charity trusteeship.

We are trusted legal advisers to a great many charity trustees and senior managers, who rely on our charity law expertise and our 24/7 support. Every client relationship is managed by a partner who commits to knowing your charity's unique culture and is supported by a team of specialist charity lawyers who all have a genuine passion for charities and what they do.

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Charities - UK-wide

2
Band 2

What the Team is Known For

VWV advises regional and national clients on all issues related to charities and their operations, including governance, procurement, state aid, collaborations and compliance. The team additionally offers commercial support on real estate, employment, data protection and transactional projects. The firm is best known for its independent school and university clientele, but also advises healthcare organisations as well as faith-based charities and environmental organisations.

Work Highlights

  • VWV continued to support the Royal College of Surgeons of England with an ongoing programme of constitutional change.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

1
Con Alexander
Head of Charities
1
Band 1
Con Alexander is a renowned adviser to clients from a number of areas, including universities and schools, conservation charities and grant-giving organisations. He frequently assists clients with complex governance structures, transactional matters, trustee issues and funding arrangements. Alexander also possesses extensive experience interacting with regulatory bodies.

Con's expertise in complex areas of Charity Law is second to none and he has delivered excellent advice that is both technically superb and commercially realistic.

Con Alexander is strong in every area. His knowledge and his advice are both formidable and reassuring. Cool under pressure, but always unfailingly on the right side of the smart deal.

Con is experienced with a clear and sensitive understanding of all the issues, and their impact beyond the charity.

Con is always available and responsive, including outside of 'office hours' when needed.

Con Alexander is an outstanding charity lawyer. An absolute fount of knowledge.

3
Shivaji Shiva
3
Band 3
Shivaji Shiva frequently advises a wide array of charities on issues such as charity governance and commercial matters, as well as interactions with the Charity Commission. He has particular expertise handling matters on behalf of faith-based charities.

Shivaji is incredibly helpful. He is also a legend to articulate his work very clearly and succinctly to our Board. A pleasure to work with.

Shivaji Shiva is excellent!

4
Rachel Tonkin
4
Band 4

Rachel Tonkin focuses her practice on providing in-depth advice to Charities and not-for-profit organisations on charity law and governance issues. She has experience of advising on such matters as charter development and constitutional change programmes.

Rachel has great specialist knowledge, is methodical and clear-headed and a pleasure to work with. She has provided well informed advice making decision making and planning smoother for my team.

Rachel consistently delivers a high standard of service marked by responsiveness, clarity, and reliability.

Rachel Tonkin went above and beyond to make herself available at all times.

U
Laura Chesham
U
Up and Coming

Laura Chesham is an up-and-coming partner who is regularly called upon to advise charities on restructuring, merger and grant related matters. She has a particular interest in working with faith organisations.

Laura brings a great depth of wisdom and expertise to help navigate complex governance questions and ensures the charity is positioned well for success.

Laura is our lead partner. Her client focus is second to none and as well as her own excellence in Charity and Ecclesiastical Law she is our main gateway to the wider firm's expertise.

U
Leila Goodarzi
U
Up and Coming

Bristol-based Leila Goodarzi is a partner in the VWV legacy protection team. She is skilled in advising high profile clients on a variety of legacy dispute issues.

Leila is very approachable and engaging.

I have really valued and enjoyed my interactions with Leila. She's very 'human' in her approach, supportive and well versed.

Leila is always responsive and articulate, and takes pains to understand the brief.

Leila is super friendly, very approachable, very willing to answer all our questions. She is open and explains things really well.

Leila is very personable and has a good grasp of her field of expertise.

Ranked Lawyers at
VWV

Provided by Chambers
Filter by
Band

UK-wide

Charities

1
Con Alexander
Head of Charities
1
Band 1
3
Shivaji Shiva
3
Band 3
4
Rachel Tonkin
4
Band 4
U
Laura Chesham
U
Up and Coming
Charities: Legacy Disputes

U
Leila Goodarzi
U
Up and Coming

Members

Provided by VWV

Andrew Wherrett

Chloe Brunton

Con Alexander

Head of Department

Emma-Jane Dalley

Laura Chesham

Paul Voller

Rachel Tonkin

Clients

Provided by VWV

Diocese of Gloucester

Diocese of Truro

Harpur Trust

King Edward VI Foundation, Birmingham

Malvern Hills Trust

Royal College of Surgeons

Society and College of Radiographers

Soil Association

University of Bristol

Industries

Provided by VWV

Charities / Not for Profit

Education

Government

Healthcare

Private Clients / Individuals

Sports