Debenhams Ottaway’s St Albans-based private client practice group is split across protecting and managing wealth, trusts, and lifetime planning. Jointly led by Susan Glenholme and Claire Sharp, the team is praised for its ‘total reliability and trustworthiness’. Glenholme acts for HNWI and specialises in all aspects of private wealth management, whilst Sharp is an important name for managing trusts which range from small, life interest trusts through to large discretionary trusts. Rachel Hyndman is another important point of contact for lasting powers of attorney and court of protection matters.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘They are such a great team at Debenhams Ottaway. They are able to clinch that often unattainable ground of friendly but highly professional.’
‘Susan Glenholme remains one of the finest lawyers on the planet. Barry Griffin is truly excellent, my clients all trust and love him. He is a true asset to that business.’
‘Great team who are genuinely focused on the best interests of the clients. ’
‘Andrew Spearman is excellent. He is friendly, approachable and exactly the type of person you want in your team when you are dealing with an estate. A wonderful lawyer who strikes the perfect balance between being technical excellent, but also truly caring about his clients and making sure he achieves the best outcome for them. Clients are his paramount concern, rather than the chargeable hour, and that is what makes him stand out. ’
‘The notable difference between this firm of solicitors and the others we deal with is the very strong team spirit among the staff. This manifests itself in their effective communications and positive working atmosphere.’
‘This is a leading Department so technical expertise is a given. What the team adds is that it has specialisms within the team so any work type is dealt with by a specialist. The team is large enough for back up and good availability and liaises well internally. The Team is utterly reliable and will keep the client informed without prompting. The team is always conscious of the cost/benefit analysis to the client to ensure that all work is carried out to the benefit of the client. ’
‘Total reliability and trustworthiness. Empathy with individual clients, often in emotional circumstances.’
‘I have found everyone I have dealt with in the team to be highly capable and knowledgeable whilst remaining friendly and extremely personable.’
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Susan Glenholme, Claire Sharp