VWV, Charities | Chambers UK Profile

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

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.

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Work Highlights

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

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

They are remarkably easy to communicate with, being very articulate both in legalese and in lay terms. They are very quick to respond and take great effort in understanding the brief on each case.

Charities respondent
UK

VWV has superb sector expertise, personable relationship management, quick response times from senior team members and great flexibility on technically complex commissions.

Charities respondent
UK

The Charity team is coordinated across practice areas and worked seamlessly to consider the legal and regulatory approach. Communication is clear, precise and timely.

Charities respondent
UK

The Charities team have a robust and deep understanding of the charity sector and tailor their advice to your individual context. It is helpful, meaningful and understandable.

Charities respondent
UK

VWV have a long and well established charity team, with strength in depth. Their specialist knowledge and experience of charity law sets them apart from others.

Charities respondent
UK

They are remarkably easy to communicate with, being very articulate both in legalese and in lay terms. They are very quick to respond and take great effort in understanding the brief on each case.

Charities respondent
UK

VWV has superb sector expertise, personable relationship management, quick response times from senior team members and great flexibility on technically complex commissions.

Charities respondent
UK

The Charity team is coordinated across practice areas and worked seamlessly to consider the legal and regulatory approach. Communication is clear, precise and timely.

Charities respondent
UK

The Charities team have a robust and deep understanding of the charity sector and tailor their advice to your individual context. It is helpful, meaningful and understandable.

Charities respondent
UK

VWV have a long and well established charity team, with strength in depth. Their specialist knowledge and experience of charity law sets them apart from others.

Charities respondent
UK

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

Con Alexander

Head of Charities

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.

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Shivaji Shiva

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!

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Rachel Tonkin

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.

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Laura Chesham

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.

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Leila Goodarzi

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.

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