Jack Royall > Birketts LLP > Norwich, England > Lawyer Profile

Birketts LLP‘s ‘extremely knowledgeable’ private client advisory department demonstrates particular strength in multi-jurisdictional tax and estate planning work, and is a market leader for succession and tax planning issues for farmers and land estate owners. The department is jointly steered by Jack Royall in Norwich and Louise Long in Ipswich, while Susan Young heads up the Chelmsford office. Young is recommended for estate planning issues, trusts and will preparation, as well as advising on the administration of estates, and is well versed in working with wealthy individuals and their businesses. Described by clients as ‘absolutely amazing’, Katie Gibson-Green is another name to note.

At Birketts LLP, ‘the rural team are experienced and provide concise and sensible advice’. In Norwich, practice head Chris Coupland and head of private client Jack Royall are skilled in advising on landlord and tenant matters, property transactions, partnership and succession planning issues. Cambridge-based land development specialist Jeremy Stanton is ‘a breath of fresh air, who constantly pushes things forward’. Rachel McKillop-Wilkin, also in Cambridge, is recommended for freehold and leasehold agricultural property issues. James Dinwiddy in Ipswich and Sophia Key in Norwich both have particular expertise advising on related high-value property transactions. Ipswich-based senior associate and agricultural property specialist Tom Verrill is noted for his ‘commitment, client care, attention-to-detail and sound advice’.

Birketts LLP‘s practice is highly regarded for its ‘strength-in-depth’. The practice has a diverse client base, which includes many high-net-worth individuals and landed estates. Lorna Spear, who specialises in complex trusts, and June 2022-promoted partner Hayley Pettitt lead the practice. Spear advises on high-value matters, including estates with assets in excess of £100m. Senior associate Emily O’Donnell is noted as ‘efficient, wise and personable’ in trust and succession planning matters. Agriculture specialist Jack Royall frequently advises landed estates on private client matters.