Education isn’t just about teaching. You’re now navigating a dynamic business landscape and evolving law and regulation, where every decision impacts the your future and those you teach and train. Now that's quite the challenge and responsibility.

Find an expert

Take it from us

From schools and academies to further and higher education, our educational institutions are water tight, as the burden of regulation and compliance is growing. Whether you're looking to grow and expand your organisation, or you're dealing with the restructuring pressures, safeguarding issues and complaints that come with this industry; you need professional support from a team that’s done its homework and is up to date with constantly-evolving regulations to guide you through.

That’s where we come in. Ranked among the top education lawyers in the country, you can rely on robust, practical advice that makes your job easier – whether working at a school, an academy trust, college, university, or educational charity. Picture a trusted guide steering you through every legal challenge, combining deep sector expertise with the expansive services and reach of an international law firm.

Your education team

With us by your side, we will empower your team to make informed decisions every step of the way.

How we can make a difference:

  • Navigating governance, constitutional, and regulatory matters, including amendments to governing documents for Royal Charter bodies and conducting governance effectiveness reviews
  • Facilitating mergers, collaborative ventures, and joint initiatives
  • Structuring and establishing subsidiary companies to optimise operations
  • Managing construction and real estate projects, including student accommodation development
  • Advising on employment matters to ensure compliance and best practice
  • Guiding through banking, restructuring, and finance-related decisions
  • Crafting commercial contracts and procurement strategies to meet organisational needs
  • Handling data protection issues and responding to Freedom of Information Act requests.
In need of an education lawyer? Look no further.
At Womble Bond Dickinson we have an exceptional team of talented lawyers and business professionals who can offer guidance and find the solutions right for your business. We have both broad and niche expertise across all our UK and US offices.
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The proof's in our experience

  • A Catholic Multi Academy Trust, advising on its growth from inception to 47 academies over a decade, guiding all academy projects
  • Victoria Dock Primary School, advising on its conversion, as the first PFI school in the country, including hand-back arrangements upon PFI expiry
  • Independent schools, advising on the consolidations of bursary and prize funds into new charitable foundations, and implementing a "Total Return" approach for permanent endowment funds
  • A local authority, advising on the simultaneous conversion of eight schools, including two PFI schools
  • Further education colleges, advising on mergers, including integration with sixth form colleges
  • Leading universities, advising on various initiatives from launching overseas projects to constructing and refurbishing a new student village, procuring contractors for solar PV installations, and conducting Board effectiveness reviews
  • Academy Trusts, advising on the transfer of 17 academies to two different trusts.
Testimonials

'The team and individual expertise is second to none. Response times are first class and our queries which span more than one representative always come back in a structured, well-informed way.'

Legal 500, North, 2025

WBD are an extremely professional law firm who have a very 'hands on' approach that is very much appreciated by their clients. They go over and above what they are tasked with and are willing to go the extra mile for their clients.’

Legal 500, London, 2025

“The firm are exceptional in their support, advice and rapid response. They are skilful, knowledgeable and have a vast breadth of expertise.” 

Chambers and Partners, UK Wide, 2023

The team “is exemplary in terms of professionalism and dedication to the brief.” 

Legal 500, North, 2023

The team “always go the extra mile and respond positively to every approach.” 

Legal 500, North, 2023