Wedlake Bell LLP > London, England > Firm Profile

‘The team is highly capable of dealing with complex matters with a hands-on mentality. Always available when needed.’

‘The team is extremely committed and available, while being very knowledgeable and always seeking for solutions.’

‘Edward Craft is fantastic. Totally aligned with his client’s commercial needs and works relentlessly hard to achieve the best for his clients. Very practical, pragmatic and a real gentleman to deal with.’

‘Janice Wall: love the way she acts. She is very smart; full focussed on the matter at hand.’

‘Nigel Taylor and his team are efficient friendly and accessible. Good practical commercially driven advice with sound corporate legal knowledge. Great communication. Access to related and complimentary services.’

‘A thorough understanding of the utilities industry. Easily accessible with a great understanding of the sector.’

‘The team is known for its straightforward answers and expertise in helping international clients navigating through complex UK tax issues. I work with Matt Braithwaite. Approachable, no nonsense and always helpful!’.

‘Wedlake Bell is professional and very competent. It is forward thinking and gives confidence in the projects that they work on. They are very efficient, respond quickly and are totally trustworthy’.

‘Camilla Wallace – very discrete and gives me real confidence’.

‘In my experience with the personal tax and trusts team, their advice has been practical and technically astute. A great deal of thought goes into their bespoke documents. It is a pleasure to work with them’.

‘Camilla Wallace is compassionate, yet whip smart, instantly recognising priorities when circumstances are complex. She is supported by a superb team’.

‘Kate Johnson has an equally keen mind, designing succession and managing global projects. She is a pitch-perfect point person among clients and multiple advisors‘.

‘Rebecca Barry is a relatively recent addition, responsive, diligent, a quick study and also great with clients’.

‘Suzanne Gill is a great lawyer. She is very responsive, thorough and practical. She is excellent at overcoming seemingly insurmountable issues.’

‘Commercial, pragmatic, responsive and real problem solvers.’

‘Claire Nelson has the ability to cut through the noise and solve the ‘real’ problem.’

‘Nick Stone and his team are exceptional. They are highly professional, diligent and are commercial in their approach. We would entrust them with all of our clients’.

‘A tenacious and committed team that has consistently delivered an excellent service to my clients. Have worked with them on a significant number of high value transactions I value the attention and consideration they give each client as the real reason behind their success’.

‘I work very closely with Tom Allfree who I find to be professional and measured in everything he does. Having worked on a number of high value transactions with time sensitive deals with demanding clients – these have been handled extremely efficiently. Tom has a rare ability to resolve issues and dissipate pressure whilst retaining a sense of perspective and humour’.

‘The team  is excellent at communicating with all parties and is always available on the phone to speak to both agents and clients. They are proactive in finding solutions to any issues which arise and deal with them swiftly. They are also able to offer clients a comprehensive range of services to facilitate the entire process eg tax advice’.

‘A top drawer firm that is very professional and well regarded in the industry. Nick Stone & Tom Alfree’.

‘The team at Wedlake Bell provides pragmatic advice that allows for a deal to be executed with pace. They don’t look to point score or make the deal process an academic exercise, they just focus on ensuring their client is well protected and add value to sometimes what are commercial decisions that need to be taken to get the deal closed. They are quick to get up to speed and are always available to discuss points of importance as is necessary. I would highly recommend the team.’

‘Tom Alfree is knowledgeable and provides advice in a form that allows for decisions to be made quickly’.

‘Very personable, great communication and values’

‘Michael Ridsdale – excellent partner on all levels, trustworthy and very knowledgeable’

‘The team includes one of the VAT and property experts in the country and a person who is very experienced and knowledgeable in SDLT issues. The aforementioned VAT expert regularly liaises with HMRC on this area of VAT law and its application to transactions, helping to formulate HMRC Policy.’

‘The team at Wedlake Bell is dominated by one individual – Mike Ridsdale. Mike’s is one of those names that anyone involved with VAT would recognise instantly. He is a former national chair of the VAT Practitioners Group, and lectures regularly on current issues. He has earned universal respect from colleagues, clients, and competitors. A star individual in his field if ever their was one.’

‘I particularly appreciate the personal service that we receive, which is thoughtful, bespoke to our particular needs and always practical. The firm has access to individuals with deep expertise and with an extremely customer-focused approach. Other firms I have issued also exhibit these characteristics but not consistently in combination.’

‘The individuals I deal with are responsive and friendly. I never feel I am encroaching on their time or that my questions are inappropriate. The individuals I have been especially impressed with are Mike Ridsdale.’

‘This firm handles some very large trusts and this feeds into a strong and successful contentious team. Andrew O’Keefe and Caroline Miller are both great to work with’.

‘Katie Turney stands out to me. She does a mixture of both private client non-contentious and contentious work. This means she has experience that many other solicitors (perhaps the majority) lack and can provide really good insight. Not only is she very clever and switched on about the law, she is also very good with clients, putting them at ease’.

‘Wedlake Bell is a world-class team of contentious trusts lawyers, often leading the way in key areas such as confidentiality, disclosure and cross-border enforcement. They have outstanding talent at all levels and have developed innovative and well-resourced ways of keeping them. Caroline Miller gets the very best out of her team’.

‘Caroline Miller may possibly be the best contentious trusts partner in the world. She creates an instant bond of trust with clients, keeps the commercial realities in mind and is unceasingly creative and courageous in pursuing their goals’.

‘Andrew O’Keeffe is experienced and dependable, and has deadly dangerous negotiation skills. Tom Klemme is his reliable and switched-on right-hand man’.

‘This team has good experience and provides a consistently good service. Andrew O’Keefe works diligently for his clients, and is a formidable litigator’.

‘The contentious partner with whom I have worked recently is Andrew O’Keefe, who is extremely steady and whose low key approach belies the effectiveness of the way in which he runs matters. I have also been impressed recently with his associate Thomas Klemme’.

‘The people involved in Wedlake Bell LLP Family were outstanding. Led by Charmaine Hast an expert practitioner of Family law a professional that will go the extra mile for their client giving sound advice and guiding you personally through the legal system every step of the way. Charmaine Hast stood out as a dedicated, tenacious advocate for her client’.

‘I was treated with understanding and care by the team from the offset. I am sure this is the quality that makes them unique. They listened to what I had to say and they understood the outcome that I wanted to achieve. Then they put it all into practice’.

‘I worked with Charmaine Hast, I valued her depth of knowledge of family law and empathy. She also had a great sense of humour and was kind and driven to get me the best settlement possible, which I really appreciated. Charmaine was totally engaged in working for me. Charmaine made the extremely challenging journey less frightening with her wisdom, knowledge and deep empathy’.

‘International experience Tough litigators. Excellent client care skills. Charmaine Hast , Natasha Kurth’.

‘The diligent attention to detail in their work, personal relationship management and depth of experience across the team is excellent.’

‘Suzanne Gill has a razor sharp mind. She has a grasp of the details and demonstrates extreme intellectual honesty. Suzanne has immense gravitas and is not scared to show it.’

‘Adam Colenso is a brilliantly good lawyer. The solicitor I would want most to instruct me on a covenant case. He is technically totally on the ball and is astute and intelligent in his approach to trial preparation.’

‘The firm has great breadth and depth of experience across property litigation, as a result of having a large property, development, planning and construction teams resulting in wide ranging specialist knowledge and sector experience.’

‘In terms of innovation, they were very well equipped at the start of the pandemic to adapt to remote systems as they already had effective remote systems and platforms, including data rooms.’

‘Jonathan Hibberts – very bright, intuitive and commercial.’

‘Extremely knowledgeable people. Very helpful and approachable. Very hardworking and committed to getting the best results.’

‘I mainly work with Adam Colenso. He is insightful, very knowledgeable, extremely diligent, leaves no stone unturned. Also an extremely good judge and tactician.’

‘An innovative and proactive approach to problem solving and legal knowhow.’

‘Small, focused team with substantial lead from the partners, which was always very reassuring.’

‘The three key litigation partners that we work with are Richard Saunders, James Latham and Francis Coulson, and they all similarly provide a significant level of senior input on every case that they work on.’

‘Jemma Pugh is an excellent lawyer. She always has the right strategy worked out. Provided good advice but also listened to my needs.’

‘The outstanding personal care and attention given to each client really makes this practice unique. This, combined with the experience, knowledge and attention to detail displayed by each person working on the case, makes the Senior Executives Practice in this firm a sector leader.’

‘Each person who has worked on my case has been fully up to speed on even the most complex aspects. Clear leadership is shown by the partner in charge, but each member of the team contributes brilliantly and thus they work efficiently and effectively as a team. The working relationships between the partner, associates and trainee solicitors are impressive.’

‘William Granger never fails to impress. He is clearly a sector leader and a genuine star. Not only does he grasp complex facts quickly, but he is also an amazing strategist, finding workable solutions for clients. What is particularly impressive is his genuine passion for justice, especially for clients who have experienced discrimination and hardship as a result of wrongful behaviour. He really cares about his clients.’

‘Emily Daly is definitely one to watch. Her attention to detail is remarkable and her written work of the highest quality. It is hard to believe she only qualified in 2020! She always performs at the highest level and is brilliant with clients.’

‘As a client, to have a team like this who in on top of everything, and leaves no stone unturned to find the right answer, is worth so much. There were quite a few aspects of this project that needed looking at and Wedlake Bell were always there, with timely and good advice.’

‘My main contact is David Johnston – a man with incredible knowledge, capacity, integrity and diligence. His advice is always spot on and I know that if he says we need to take this course of action or that, I can trust him entirely.’

‘Friendly, efficient and tenacious.’

‘David de Maupeou gets things done quickly and effectively.’

‘A very approachable firm at all levels of seniority, who take the time to explain issues without running the clock.’

‘Their attention to detail stands them apart, with a focus on getting matters concluded promptly and efficiently.’

‘Sarah Elliott is exceptional – exceptional contract knowledge and goes out of her way to support her client in whatever is needed.’

‘Attention to detail while also understanding commercial aspects of contract negotiations, ensuring that commercially sensible, legally robust terms are in place on different scales of projects.’

‘Very personable and approachable. Willing to advise on contractual position but with a realistic approach to potential outcomes.’

‘Impressive industry knowledge and expertise within the construction field. The team also have foresight in the way construction terms are negotiated and look to future proof agreements where possible.’

‘Suzanne Reeves and Natascia Alden are pragmatic, dedicated, attention driven, and supports the client in delivering to timescales.’

‘Very pleasant to deal with.’

‘Clive Weber brings the advantage of very many years experience in the field.’

‘A vibrant team full of highly intelligent people.’

‘Natalie Pilagos is exceptional.’

‘Natalie Pilagos is a superb lawyer. Loved by clients and incisive in her analysis. A real winner, who gives everything for her clients.’

‘David Kingsford is a great team member. Hardworking and pragmatic – a cool head.’

‘Natalie Pilagos is very hands on and provides a lot of attention to detail, also very personable and knowledgeable.’

‘They provide consistent, coordinated and timely advice tempered to the client’s specific needs, with willingness to adapt scope of services to suit changes in circumstances and course of action.’

‘Strength of resources ensures the right person comes to the fore at the right time.’

‘Patience and understanding of the client situation and willingness to take time to explain each step, and then work together on an appropriate solution or course of action.’

‘Wedlake Bell is a very good midsized legal firm which is partner-led for all disputes. They have a very good business-sense approach to disputes making sure that the client and counsel work as a team.’

‘Mike Gardner is outstandingly good with clients and also works well with Debra Goldwyn, who is brilliant at detail.’

‘The team takes complete ownership of the issues and delivers the result with minimum of fuss and minimum of intervention, on budget.’

‘Charlotte Wilding was the main individual involved. Amazingly clear thinking and organised; very easy to deal with.’

‘Wedlake Bell provides practical, straight forward advice that takes into account business considerations. The opinions and client advisory are clear and succinct.’

‘Charlotte Wilding is smart, responsive and down-to-earth. She understands trade mark law and articulates clearly risks involved so a client can make an informed business decision.’

‘The team makes the difference, their knowledge, reactivity and availability are always 100%.’

‘Adam Grant and his team are excellent. His advice is always spot on and he steers us through any issues we may have with sensitivity and clarity.’

‘A competent, practical team, with talent distributed fully throughout the team.’

‘The team, led by Adam Grant, go the extra mile to get to know your business, the key personnel and what you are looking to achieve.’

‘They deliver a service that is responsive, efficient and commercial.’

‘What makes the team stand apart is its ability to cut through the legal challenges and provide pragmatic and effective advice.’

‘They truly are trusted advisors.’

‘Adam Grant is our go to solicitor of choice. A true partner who cares about you and your business. He understand the law, explains it in a clear and concise manner and provides exceptional commercial solutions.’