International law firm Womble Bond Dickinson's (WBD) private wealth team has again been highlighted for its expertise with a top tier ranking in the 2024 edition of Chambers High Net Worth (HNW).
Published annually, Chambers HNW is a guide to the leading lawyers and law firms of choice for individuals and families, focusing on the international private wealth market and related specialisms in key jurisdictions around the world.
WBD is recognised in London, Bristol, Leeds, Newcastle, and the wider North East region. The guide highlights the top tier Newcastle team as 'well-regarded' for its offering in the region, with client feedback stating the team 'is very good for international matters as well as complex cases'.
The Bristol team was also ranked highly, achieving a Band Two, with the team highlighted for its 'very strong technical knowledge and a good speed of response'.
In addition, the guide recognises nine of the firm's lawyers as either leading individuals in the field or associates to watch:
In London, partner Neil Long is highlighted as an experienced private client lawyer who was noted for being 'extremely pragmatic, very client-focused, down to earth and sensible' whose ability to understand what the core issues of a matter are considered valuable.
Meanwhile associate Rosie Taylor was recommended as an associate to watch, due to her 'enthusiastic, responsive' nature of working and her ability to work with clients across a range of matters.
Partner Will Ford was highlighted for his technical excellence, with one client noting how he 'understands the law around UK taxation and is good at distilling that'.
Partner James Radcliffe, senior counsel Mark Woodward, and legal director Christopher Kerr-Smiley from WBD's Bristol office maintain their rankings. James was noted for his 'prompt and in-depth advice and guidance' and experience guiding clients across a range of work including family succession, estate planning, and tax matters.
Mark was hailed for his 'highly competent and objective, all balanced with a good human touch' approach, while Christopher was noted by one client as having 'a level of service that the trustees both admire and appreciate', with his ability to 'spot and raise potential problems and suggest solutions in unusual situations' also praised.
Legal Director Susan Maxey was recognised in Leeds for her work in tax and estate planning, with praise for her 'depth of technical expertise to deal with complex client situations' while demonstrating 'a very strong level of empathy and compassion.'
Senior Counsel Helen Tavroges was spotlighted in Newcastle, with her 'wealth of experience and knowledge' noted in matters including asset protection, trusts, and wills, while managing associate Joe Kelley, also based in WBD's Newcastle office, was highlighted for his work in the wider North East as an associate to watch for his expertise in private client litigation matters.
David Dale, Head of Private Wealth at WBD, comments:
"It is a great honour to retain our top tier ranking in the Chambers HNW Guide, and to have many colleagues in our team acknowledged for their expertise as advisers.
WBD's private wealth team strives to provide all our clients with high quality service and support across a wide range of matters, and this acknowledgement is testament to the continual hard work and dedication from our team.
With these rankings also drawing directly from client feedback, it's brilliant to see that our commitment to building trusted, longstanding relationships with our clients, which sits at the core of our business, is reflected in the positive feedback many of our team has received in this guide.”
Alongside law firms, the Chambers HNW also recommends leading accountancy firms, private banks, wealth managers, trust companies and other professional advisors to high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients.
