Nick Clayton > Herbert Smith Freehills LLP > London, England > Lawyer Profile

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP‘s contentious tax team works within the firm’s full-service offering and has expertise in the full range of tax disputes. The group is active on behalf of prominent domestic and multinational clients and is experienced in key areas such as tax fraud and negligence. Department head Nick Clayton is a solicitor advocate and CEDR-accredited mediator who acts for financial institutions, corporates, and UHNWIs. Clayton is highly experienced in international tax matters, with expertise in both investigations and disputes. Michael Hunt advises on tax disputes across a range of sectors, including banking, energy, real estate and technology, and has experience at the First-Tier Tribunal, Upper Tribunal, and Court of Appeal. Senior associate Dawen Gao is described as ‘exceptional’ by clients.

Headed by Richard Norridge, Herbert Smith Freehills LLP has a dedicated private wealth practice that comprises senior disputes, advisory and transactional lawyers. Clients include institutional clients, trustees, their insurers, beneficiaries, family offices and wealthy individuals. Norridge’s practice and client base is international and spans the leading onshore and offshore jurisdictions. Nick Clayton is another name to note from the specialist tax disputes and investigations unit. The group typically advises on complex actions pursuing or defending trustees, and on third-party claims by or against trustees. It has also acted in the arbitration of trust disputes. William Turner was recently promoted to ‘of counsel’ and is a solicitor advocate. He specialises in both contentious and non-contentious private client work.