Recognised in the legal directories for being "extremely knowledgeable in the field of employment law and a pleasure to work with", the "incisive and very able" Hilary is a Partner at WBD and heads up the North East Employment team and education practice. 

She provides legal advice and commercial support to schools and multi academy trusts, as well as further and higher education clients throughout the UK, on the full range of employment issues.

Hilary is valued by her education sector clients for being available as a sounding board not just for their legal issues, but also on strategic matters that affect the "people" aspects of everyday smooth running of schools and trusts.  

She advises on all aspects of employment law, from recruitment through to dismissal. Her practice includes advising on complex disciplinary and grievance matters, equality and diversity issues, and providing legal and tactical advice on handling issues of underperformance, absence and dismissals at all levels. 

She also advises on all aspects of reorganisations, including collective redundancies and restructuring as well as changing terms and conditions, assisting clients in their related consultations with trade unions.

Listed in 'Best Lawyers in the United Kingdom' and recognised in the legal directories for being a 'very tactically astute' and 'very experienced' member of the Band 1 North East Employment team, Lorraine advises education clients on the full range of employment and people management issues. 

As a result of her expertise in equal pay, Lorraine has handled many pay-related high value complex Employment Tribunal claims, also achieving success for clients in the Employment Appeal Tribunal and the Court of Appeal.

Lorraine offers an investigation service in which she conducts fact finding investigations into complex grievances. This is viewed as a valuable service by education clients who need to have complex grievance situations handled independently and impartially, either due to the complexity of the legal issues or sensitivity relating to the subject matter or identity of those involved.

Pauline joined Schools North East in July 2017 as Business Manager and was appointed Deputy Director in 2020. She also leads the National Network of Special Schools for School Business Professionals (NNoSS), a network representing 400 schools in the specialist sector across England.

Prior to joining Schools North East in 2017, Pauline was a School Business Manager and has more than 25 years experience of working in education.  She has a wealth of knowledge with an in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by schools and is committed to making a difference to the learning chances of all pupils.

Pauline is also experienced in school governance having served on various governing bodies and is currently a trustee of a special school trust and a committee chair.  She has an MBA in strategic leadership and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management.

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