Alison Paines

Alison is a partner in the charities and philanthropy team. She has over 25 years of experience in advising charities and other non-profit bodies, and those who contract with or donate to them. Her clients include an eclectic mix of service providers, grant-makers, educational bodies, aid agencies and research institutes, as well as individual and corporate philanthropists. She advises on all aspects of charities’ activities but specialises in strategic and governance advice. She is particularly well known for her expertise on medical charities (especially those linked with the National Health Service), educational charities, charities associated with government and international charity issues.

Qualified 1981. Solicitor with Crossman, Block & Keith 1981-87; joined Withers 1988 and became a partner in 1991.

Charity Law Association (past Committee member and Chair); Society of Trusts and Estates Practitioners.

Charities chapter to Chambers & Partners publication ‘Legal Brexit’,

‘Revenue Law - Principles and Practice’ , ‘Charities’ chapter of Tolley’s

Educated at Cambridge University (classics and law); Chair of governors of Godolphin & Latymer School; trustee of Academies Enterprise Trust; honorary legal adviser to Association of NHS Charities; formerly the trustee of two grant-making foundations.