Stephen O’Reilly joins Hempsons’ as head of charities

Hempsons LLP has announced the appointment of Stephen O’Reilly as the new head of charities and social enterprise.

Stephen will take up his new role on 18 June in a move from Eversheds Sutherland. He brings with him a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success in the charity, education, and social enterprise sectors. Some of his most recent notable work includes establishing many charitable foundations for large multi-national corporates, advising on the establishment of research institutes as charities (including in the health sector) and advising grant-making foundations on international giving initiatives and governance matters.

Stephen commented: “I’m delighted to be joining one of the leading charities and social enterprise firms in the country and am really excited by this opportunity. I have worked closely with Ian on a number of matters and have been very impressed with his detailed knowledge and his pragmatic approach to problem-solving. Hempsons is clearly a market leader and has successfully carved a niche for itself providing advice to some of the most important organisations operating in the charity and social enterprise sectors. I look forward to being able to contribute to the firm’s continued success in these areas.”

Stephen joins Hempsons as a junior equity partner, a newly created role within the firm designed to channel the entrepreneurial spirit and talents of its most promising solicitors and help the firm in its next stage of development. The first 11 junior equity partners were promoted on 1 April 2024, and Stephen is the first lateral hire at this level.

Stephen will take over as head of the team from Ian Hempseed, who is staying with Hempsons to continue supporting clients and partners as he prepares to retire.

Ian stated: “I’m very much looking forward to introducing Stephen to our clients. I’ve worked with Stephen in the past and have first-hand experience of his clear and incisive approach, understanding strategic imperatives and their pragmatic implementation in complex situations. These are exactly the attributes clients need to plot their way through the challenges and opportunities currently confronting charities and social enterprises.”

Managing partner, Graham Lea, says: “Hempsons have a long-standing commitment to our charities and social enterprise clients, who remain central to our vision of the future. We are enormously excited about Stephen’s arrival at Hempsons. He is a highly regarded charities and social enterprise lawyer. His arrival represents a further significant step forward for Hempsons as we continue to grow our work in these sectors.”