David is Head of Employment Law and the lead employment partner for the firm’s education clients and provides sector specialist advice to universities and colleges. His exceptional clarity in explaining complex solutions and strategic advice has earned recognition in the Legal 500.

Smita leads the team that works to shape the universities and colleges of the future by providing strategic advice and sector specific insight across all their legal needs.

Andrew is a corporate lawyer with more than 25 years’ experience working with clients including start-ups, SMEs and multinational companies on a variety of business matters.

Esther is an experienced and trusted advisor to the firm’s education clients and supports universities, FE colleges and schools in dealing with a range of sensitive and complex employment and education related issues. As well as being a solicitor, she is a qualified workplace mediator, using her mediation skills to help nip workplace issues in the bud. She also regularly undertakes investigations into matters involving both staff and students.

Kate’s focus is on preventing disputes where possible and seeking commercial resolutions which align with her client’s goals when disputes do arise.

Mark advises on education collaborations and governance, having spent all of his legal career advising in the education sector.

Martin is known for his flexible thinking to resolve challenging situations for clients including developers, corporate occupiers, owners and investors.

Tom works with employers to prevent and resolve people issues, ensuring their organisations continue to work efficiently and effectively.

Anieka assists education clients to realise their goal and resolve their problems.

Joanna’s deep affinity for the education sector is reflected in her responsive approach and her practical, applied and thorough advice.

Marie-Therese advises businesses and their owners on a wide variety of corporate transactions and complicated reorganisations to help them achieve their objectives.

Meriel adopts a proactive and commercial approach to drive transactions forward to completion quickly, ensuring her clients interests are protected.

Dr Paul Greatrix is Director of Higher Education Consultancy and joined Shakespeare Martineau in August 2025 after over 35 years working in the HE sector including 18 years as Registrar of the University of Nottingham.

Alexandria is an associate within the firm’s employment team specialising in advising education clients, including further and higher education institutions, schools and academics.

Emma is a Solicitor within the firm’s Education team specialising in employment advice for education clients including independent schools and academies, as well as both further and higher education institutes

Amy is a Solicitor within the firm’s Employment Team specialising in advising education clients including schools, academies, higher education institutions and universities.

Kate supports our education clients by providing practical advice to help them achieve their goals, minimise risk and resolve issues.

As a solicitor in our core Education team, Sophie helps our further and higher education clients on a wide variety of student-related and corporate governance matters including complaints and appeals, discrimination and equality law issues, policies and procedures and regulatory compliance.

Clive has been advising universities and colleges on the management and development of their campuses for 30 years.