Ann Phillips, a partner at Stone King LLP, has been elected chairman of the Charity Law Association (CLA).

She served as the CLA’s deputy chairman between 2007 and 2010 and takes over from Alison Paines, a partner at Withers Worldwide, who has been the Association’s chairman since 2008.

Phillips joined Stone King in 2001 specialising in charity law and co-authored Charities Act 2006 - Guide to the New Law with Michael King. She is also trustee for Creativity Culture & Education and the Anaphylaxis Campaign.

She said: “It’s a great honour to be elected chairman of the Association at what is a critical time for the charity sector.”

The CLA has more than 900 members, mainly lawyers but also accountants and charity professionals concerned with aspects of charity law. It was set up to enable the exchange of ideas.