Ward Hadaway adds two partners to growing education practice

UK Top 100 law firm Ward Hadaway has appointed Emma Swann and Jill Donabie as partners in its national education team.

The hires follow a period of growth in work from education providers which has increased by approximately 40% in the last year.

Emma joins as an education law partner and supports MATs, independent schools, FE colleges and Diocesan Boards on academy expansions, mergers and acquisitions, governance, pastoral and commercial matters.

Jill is an employment and education partner who works with multi-academy trusts and schools of all kinds, colleges and universities on people related matters including staffing matters, parental complaints, student related policies, exclusions and SEND issues.

Together, they add senior capability and capacity across complementary areas of Ward Hadaway’s education practice – commercial, education and employment law.

Graham Vials, hHead of education said: “Our growth reflects the range of issues now facing leadership teams in education.

“They need trusted advisers who understand the pressure on budgets, governance and day-to-day management and can respond quickly when sensitive issues arise.

“Emma and Jill add key strengths that enable us to sustain the partner-led service we provide and enhance the team’s ability to support clients across both day-to-day issues and more complex matters.”

Emma brings more than 20 years’ experience advising organisations across many aspects of education law, including Ofsted challenges, EHCP placement issues, exclusion appeal panels, policy audits, parental complaints, independent school parent contracts and governance reviews.

Emma said: “Independent schools and trusts are managing more strategic commercial arrangements, particularly where services and governance are organised across charitable structures and faith-based networks.

“It’s about understanding how decisions affect their operations, obligations to pupils and staff, and financial pressures.

“Ward Hadaway has a strong national education practice, and I’m looking forward to continuing to work with clients in partnership. I am delighted to be a key part of a forward thinking and innovative team that is committed to the education sector.”

Jill builds on the department’s employment expertise in the education sector, particularly around sector specific working arrangements, collective issues, safeguarding, regulatory referrals and complex claims. She also further strengthens the department's capacity and expertise in student related issues such as exclusions, (often including risks of discrimination), EHCPs and SENDIST claims.

Jill said: “Education providers need advisers who are responsive, pragmatic and used to working with senior leaders under pressure. Much of the work in this sector is sensitive and time-critical, so it’s important to enable organisations to make decisions with confidence.

“Ward Hadaway’s education practice has real breadth, and my new role gives me the opportunity to bring my experience into a wider team advising trusts, independent and maintained schools and colleges across the country.”

Their appointments follow the recent promotion of employment specialist Tom Shears to partner, adding further weight to the education team.

Managing partner Steven Petrie said: “Emma and Jill’s arrival reflects the continued growth of Ward Hadaway and our investment in areas where clients need strategic, sector-specific expertise.

“The education practice has become an increasingly important part of our national offering, with increasing demand from providers across a wider range of issues.

“These hires add further depth across commercial and employment services and support our wider strategy of building specialist teams with the sector experience clients need.”