England - London • Private client
Burges Salmon LLP
Led by Justin Briggs and Kevin Kennedy, the team at Burges Salmon LLP, 'combines great technical knowledge of the law with commercial insight’. It is ‘able to go toe to toe with the top private client teams and often come out on top’. The group continues to act in some of the largest and most challenging contentious trusts and probate matters in the country. It has an enviable client base of wealthy individuals (including some aristocratic families), landed estates and high-net-worth international figures. Sian Edmunds has left the firm for an inhouse position.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
'Kevin Kennedy is one of the most outstanding qualities (besides his expertise and professionalism) that Kevin Kennedy brings to the table is his empathy. We had the same connection when we were first introduced to his associate Caroline Emslie.'
'Both Kevin and Caroline were engaged and as much as they were empathetic, they were also very transparent. They did a great job managing our expectations on both fronts (case and costs).'
‘Kevin Kennedy is a real expert with years of experience. He has good client handling skills and really fights his client's corner.'
‘Probably the best resourced firm in the region with excellent levels of staffing and support and high-level expertise across a wide range of subjects. Kevin Kennedy not only has an excellent legal mind but is also extremely pragmatic.'
‘On top of the detail, responsive and a pleasure to work with. Caroline Emslie is down to earth, easy to approach and always committed to getting the right result.'
‘Caroline Emslie is an absolute star. Fantastic judgment, great tactical awareness and a pleasure to work with.'
‘Kevin Kennedy is all over the facts, great management of client expectations. Caroline Emslie is great to work with, understands the pressures on all members of the team.'
‘A superb team of contentious trust lawyers based primarily in Bristol but providing London-quality advice. Extremely adept at managing highly complex litigation. Kevin Kennedy is the standout individual at the firm. One of the best trust litigators in England who has excellent technical skills and is also very good at managing complex litigation.'
Key clients
- Trustees of the St Fagans No 1 and No 2 trusts
- Lady Catherine Brudenell-Bruce
- Robert Sofer
Work highlights
- Acted for the trustees of a landed estate (led by the Earl of Plymouth) in their successful defence of a proprietary estoppel claim brought in an attempt to frustrate the trust’s multi-million pound development of a new garden city outside Cardiff.
- Acted for Lady Catherine Brudenell-Bruce in a highly charged application to replace her brother, Tom, Viscount Savernake, as executor of their late mother’s will.
- Advised Robert Sofer, an Australian resident, on a significant breach of trust claim made against a Swiss trust company, relating to a trust established by Mr Sofer’s father. A High Court claim was issued, and at an early stage Mr Sofer was successful in the Court of Appeal following an adverse interlocutory decision.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Justin Briggs, Kevin Kennedy