Following the firm’s merger with Griffin Smith in 2022, DMH Stallard LLP has a broad capability covering inheritance tax planning, wills, trusts, Power of Attorney, estate administration and contentious probate. The private client department across the South is headed up by Lorna Fairbairn, who is active in estate planning and trust work; she is also director of the firm’s trust corporation, and a STEP affiliated member. Nadia Cowdrey leads the Sussex-based team in Brighton, and specialises in wills, trusts and IHT. Michael Derrick is at the helm of the Surrey team based in Guildford and is well regarded for his expertise in the administration of high-value and intestate estates. Sara McGrigor is noted as ‘exemplary’ by clients.
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Sara McGrigor has been clearly knowledgeable, professional, respectful and compassionate. Sara’s understanding of both learning disability & trusts has been especially reassuring. Sara’s knowledge of probate has been clear throughout.’
‘DMH stallard have an organisational culture where all individuals listen, take on board my issues and genuinely take some sort of ownership for the tasks we are facing. They want to find and deliver solutions.’
‘I have principally worked with Sara McGrigor. She is exemplary.’
‘DMH Stallard were a key factor in the smooth execution of my financial affairs for Probate. They foresaw in advance and planned strategies for dealing with potential problems that enabled a completely efficient and smooth process in obtaining Probate for me. They were extremely knowledgeable and treated everything and everyone involved with the utmost care and consideration which is everything you could wish for during this difficult time.'
‘The practice offers a high level of professionalism.’
‘They provide good quality and relevant advice.’
‘Sarah Higgs was a pleasure to work with on putting together my will and discretionary trust. She talked through my various options clearly and helped me work through a lot of questions that I hadn't even thought about previously. She was very patient as I worked through various iterations of my plans before pulling the final documentation together. Overall, I found working with her very easy and would definitely come back to her again when I need to update my will in future.’
Practice head
The lawyer(s) leading their teams.
Lorna Fairbairn, Nadia Cowdrey, Michael Derrick