Elizabeth Davies > HCR Hewitsons > Cambridge, England > Lawyer Profile

HCR Hewitsons  in Cambridge has ‘strength in depth, with leaders in succession planning, wills, trusts, power of attorney, inheritance tax, and tax-efficient succession planning strategies‘. The firm has the  largest private wealth team in the region, with over £350m of trusts under management, and in 2021 advised on trusts with an additional value of £450m. Daniel Curtis (who is ‘unquestionably a leader in his field in this region and beyond‘) leads the practice and advises numerous clients with foreign property or who are domiciled abroad. ‘A consummate safe pair of hands‘, Bernadette O’Reilly focuses on on capital tax planning for individuals and trustees, including those with overseas assets. Elizabeth Davies acts as a trustee for trusts with diverse assets, including private company shares, development land and diversified landed estates. Senior associate Kelly Wardell also plays a key role in the practice.

HCR Hewitsons in Cambridge ‘works to a high professional standard, is well informed, and covers all necessary disciplines and covers them well‘. In 2021, the firm handled sales and purchases of agricultural land with a total value in excess of £250m. It also acted for landowners in strategic land agreements valued at more than £700m. Head of agriculture and rural affairs Denise Wilkinson and private client partner Elizabeth Davies, who frequently leads the agriculture team’s work on estates matters, are ‘both thorough, tenacious and responsive‘. Wilkinson, who is ‘pragmatic and very focused‘, has a broad practice advising smaller farmers, landed estates or major institutions. Newly promoted partner James Frankland handles property matters, as does legal director Emily Pumfrey, who joined from Greenwoods Legal.