Irwin Mitchell

Family

Derbyshire born and bred, Lara trained in Manchester but is now based in Sheffield. Lara was promoted to Senior Associate at just 5 years PQE, which is a testament to her technical ability and client care. Lara tackles thorny issues in her cases that have baffled her opponents, many of whom are often Partners, with ease. Lara’s steely determination to achieve the best for her clients leaves them feeling that she is always in their corner.

Lara is a specialist in HNW financial matters including cases with offshore assets, complex trust structures and vulnerable clients. She works closely with Ros Bever and Nat Groarke on UHNW cases.

Lara has a thriving pre and post-nuptial practice, often being brought in by financial advisors for financial family planning. She is the trusted go-to for many advisors for their clients. In addition, Lara leads our Teams of Excellence for Appeals and Schedule 1 cases, respectively. Lara has considerable experience in Schedule 1 matters, have been part of the team advising a range of clients in relation to Schedule 1 claims, most notably cases involving professional footballers.

Lara is at the forefront of appeal cases. She was a fundamental part of the team representing Julia Goddard-Watts, whose case was heard by the Court of Appeal in October 2022. This was a landmark case, in which Mrs Goddward-Watts successfully appealed the final order made following a second rehearing of her claim for financial remedies, the previous order having been set aside due to the husband’s material non-disclosure. Lara was also instrumental in the Sharland and Gohil appeals.

Lara’s recent significant cases include:

• Advising the former partner of an ex-Premier League footballer in relation to Schedule 1 matters.

• Advising clients with significant personal injury damages awards in relation to wealth protection, and the financial consequences of divorce in the context of the source of their assets. Lara’s notable work this year includes a Pre-Nuptial Agreement where the client had assets of £9m to protect, together with representing another seriously injured client in financial remedy proceedings seeking to protect assets of c. £1.5m.

• Representing a client with assets of c. £40m in relation to implementation matters following a contested 5 day hearing.

• Acting for a former barrister in relation to financial matters arising out of her separation from her husband, a partner at a well-known national/international law firm. At this very early stage, the assets are unclear, but are understand to include a family home and a property abroad worth in excess of £1m, together with other capital assets exceeding £1m and significant pension assets.