Hall of fameWithers LLP
Partner in wealth planning group specialising in US and international tax and trust work and cross-border charity representation.
England - London • Private client
Withers LLP
Christopher Groves and Dora Clarke co-head the large team at Withers LLP, which has considerable international capabilities. It has long been the advisor of choice for the British and global elite and has the biggest team of US-qualified private client attorneys in London. Patricia Milner is recognised for her expertise in tax, trust and estate planning matters for both UK and non-UK resident and domiciled individuals and their families. In addition, she acts as a trustee and long-term counsel to many established families. Philip Munro’s practice centres on succession planning for international families – he also frequently acts for trustees and financial institutions on trust planning matters. Ceri Vokes is a known name for her work on complex cross-border tax planning. Claire Harris, Richard Cassell and Charlie Tee are all well-regarded. The team added Carrie Duncan to its ranks from Anthony Gold Solicitors LLP in January 2023. Nicolette Bostock joined the firm from Laura Devine Immigration in November 2022.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Responsive, forward thinking, smart, congenial’.
‘The team is quite unique in London to the extent that they have both UK and US private client lawyers closely working together as one team for clients who are subject to both tax systems. They differentiate themselves by having lawyers who have deep expertise in specialist areas such as trusts, insurance and funds'.
'I believe they also stand out in terms of the depths of the relationships they have with their clients, and quality of service'.
‘Highest quality and superb client list. Penny Warr, Charlie Tee and Mara Monte all super knowledgeable and great people too, excellent client service’.
‘This team provides knowledge and skills for international clients, which is vital for the increasing mobile clients where families are linked to multiple countries. They are thoughtful and clear about what they can do for each potential client from the beginning of the relationship, as well as costs that would be incurred'.
‘Alessia Paoletto is knowledgeable, thoughtful and client-centric. She also understands that change is happening across the professions with the rise of technology, and looks to see how clients can benefit from this in relationships she builds'.
Lawyers
Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Hall of fameWithers LLP
Patricia is co-head of our wealth planning department in Europe. She focuses on tax, trust and estate planning for both UK and non-UK resident and domiciled individuals and their families. Patricia has significant experience in advising family businesses and landed estates on succession and capital tax issues. She also advises on governance issues as well as succession and education matters for families. She has been instrumental in the establishment of new family offices as well as providing ongoing strategic advice to families wilfi long established family offices.
Leading individuals
Withers LLP
Philip is a partner in the private client and tax team. He has worked for the firm in London, Hong Kong and Singapore. His practice focuses on succession planning for international families. As well as implementing estate planning arrangement for individuals, Philip frequently acts for trustees and financial institutions in relation to trust planning matters. Philip has been involved in recent years in a number of matters involving the administration of cross border estates.
Withers LLP
Ceri is a partner in the private client and tax team. She works with UK domiciled and non-UK domiciled high net worth individuals and advises on all aspects of wealth planning, with a particular emphasis on: tax efficient investment structuring, with expertise in insurance bonds, real estate, private equity funds, hedge funds and other alternative investment classes; carried interest and buyout structuring; advice on entrepreneurs' relief planning; and tax issues for sports stars. Ceri regularly advises on complex cross border tax planning and has worked closely with many family offices.
Next Generation Partners
Withers LLP
Claire advises on tax, trust and estate planning for individuals and families, both those based in the UK and those who are non-UK domiciled or resident. Claire's non-UK clients are often based in or hail from Continental Europe and India. Claire's work includes: Estate and lifetime tax and succession planning, including the preparation of Wills, lifetime trusts and Lasting Powers of Attorney and advising on the tax and practical implications of passing personal and business assets down to the next generation. Advising on residence and domicile, preparing non-resident individuals for arrival in the UK and providing guidance on the remittance basis of taxation and managing non-UK clean capital. The creation and maintenance of trust and corporate structures to assist in succession and tax planning, and advising the trustees of onshore and offshore trusts which hold wealth for both UK-based and international families. Providing guidance on philanthropy, governance and succession and the introduction of the next generation to the family's wealth or the family business, which is often in conjunction with single or multi-Family Offices. Advising the owners of UK property, including rural property and landed estates, on tax and succession matters. Claire believes that the key to her role as advisor is forming good relationships to understand her clients' main drivers and objectives to enable her to provide advice that is bespoke and timely. Claire is head of the European Family Office team.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Christopher Groves, Dora Clarke