Expert partner joins to head up law firm’s national charity team

For more than 20 years, Catherine has been exclusively advising charities, social enterprises and not for profit organisations – specialising in charity law and governance, not for profit legal structures, trustee training and board development.

Catherine has joined Shakespeare Martineau after five years as a partner and charities practice head at Browne Jacobson. Prior to this, she worked at DWF, Hempsons, Dickinson Dees and Stone King, and was a charity trustee for Yorkshire Cancer Research.

Over the years, she has supported national, regional and local charities, not for profit organisations, community groups, schools, colleges, churches, welfare and professional associations – operating across the health, education, arts, public and private sectors.

Catherine said: “Shakespeare Martineau is a focused firm, which has a clear strategy for its people and itself, so I am delighted to be working at the core of a strong team to offer a complete service to our charities and not for profit clients.”

As well as broad expertise in charity law, Shakespeare Martineau’s full-service team is able to support organisations with legacies, employment law, funding and corporate advice, intellectual property considerations, and real estate advice. The team also has particular and unique expertise advising charities on contentious probate issues.

Catherine, who will be primarily based at home and working with clients and teams nationally, said: “Operating in the charity and not for profit sector has never been more challenging or more stimulating, with social, economic and political upheavals, scarce resources, and mounting needs and expectations.

“Having specialised in charity law for more than 20 years, this area of law continues to develop and evolve, meaning it is constantly challenging to keep up to date with latest developments. I particularly enjoy working with different boards of trustees – often at times of stress or pressure – and seeing them thrive.”

Catherine’s appointment is the latest in a string of new partner hires as part of the firm’s growth strategy, broadening its footprint both north and south.

Andrew Wilkinson, partner at Shakespeare Martineau, said: “We are delighted to welcome Catherine to the firm. Her experience, knowledge and expertise will be a real asset as we look to grow our charities and not for profit offering, and Catherine will be at the forefront of leading this.”

Shakespeare Martineau is proactively seeking talented people to join the firm on its growth journey, including mergers, team recruitment and lateral hires nationally.