Trethowans has appointed a new partner and experienced charities solicitor at its Southampton office.


Kirsteen Hook has specialised in charity law for more than ten years and has worked with a broad spectrum of clients in the sector, including small local or regional charities through to international charities and household names.


As well as providing charity governance support to the Firm’s existing charity specialists Kirsteen will lead on our charity governance work providing charity law support and advice on a wide range of legal matters affecting charities, including formation, advice on structures, incorporations and mergers, training, trustee support, risk management, Charity Commission regulation and general governance. This addition of a charity law specialist will enhance Trethowans’ Charity sector group putting us in a key position to provide the specialist and niche advice required for this sector.


Kirsteen sits on the LexisNexis Q&A panel of experts for charity law and has been recognised as a ‘Rising Star’ in the renowned legal directory, the Legal 500, for charities and not-for-profit for four years running. Kirsteen will be based at the firm’s Southampton office but will work across all of its offices.


Kirsteen will be supporting the growth of the firm’s charity law offering and working with a number of colleagues in other teams who already work with charities, including property, corporate, commercial contracts (including IT/IP), employment, data protection, litigation and charity probate matters.


Kirsteen said: “I’ve always loved the variety which comes with charity law as the work is so diverse, and I get to work with some truly great and inspirational clients.


“I’m excited to work closely with teams across the firm and to grow and develop the firm’s charity offering which will include supporting colleagues on all the additional rules and regulations charities are bound by.

“My aim is to develop the charities sector at Trethowans and for us to be recognised as one of the leading charity firms in the south.”


Sarah Humphrey, Head of the Charities Sector at Trethowans, said: “Kirsteen brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in charity law to our firm and her expertise will be invaluable to our teams across the south.

“We’re excited for her to build on the services we already provide to charities and we’re thrilled to have her on board.”