The Durham-based private client team at Swinburne Maddison LLP is led by estate planning expert Anna Stephenson. The team includes associate Jennifer Purvis and frequently advises clients on lifetime planning and all aspects of trusts and lasting powers of attorney. As part of a full-service firm, the group regularly handles a broad range of complex high value instructions, including cross-jurisdictional matters and counts some of the region’s leading businesses and high-profile individuals amongst its clients.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- ‘Straightforward service with clear advice at each stage in process.’
- ‘Anna Stephenson has been incredibly supportive, helpful, professional and efficient throughout. I trust her judgement completely and she has provided excellent and timely advice throughout the process.’
- ‘In addition to obvious professional knowledge and ability, I particularly value the patience, clear explanation and understanding provided. Listening skills, patience and tolerance are vital when dealing with laymen such as myself trying to get to terms with emotive issues in order to reach the correct outcomes. I would especially cite Jennifer Purvis in this regard.’
- ‘The team are friendly, approachable, helpful and very knowledgable. The team are very caring and considerate under the circumstances.’
- ‘Swinburne Maddison provide a service that combines good technical knowledge with a common sense approach. A client can know that they will get advice that works for them and not just the application of a generic structure.’
- ‘Anna Stephenson, Partner - gives exceptional service. Knows exactly what we require regarding Trust set up and guiding us gently through the process.’
- ‘The team have a very professional yet personable approach which immediately places you at ease. Their warmth and friendliness shines through accompanied by a steely determination to deal with matters professionally and proficiently.’
- ‘Anna Stephenson acts with probity and is attentive, considerate, careful and professional. She is a delight to work with and she provides assurance that matters are dealt with correctly. I cannot recommend Anna highly enough.’
Work highlights
- Continuing to act on behalf of a longstanding family of clients – whose assets include a £40m business – in connection with their estate planning.
- Working alongside external tax advisors and colleagues in the firm's corporate team to complete a complex IHT planning exercise which included the careful drafting of a Trust instrument to achieve the client’s aims.
- Acting in the administration of various estates which have included overseas property interests.
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Anna Stephenson