Boodle Hatfield LLP > London, England > Firm Profile

‘Boodle Hatfield’s service is refreshingly professional‘.

‘Hayden Bailey is not only very thorough but is an exceptional communicator: a facet of crucial importance to a three-generation family‘.

‘Extremely effective in choreographing client meetings. Good team players, making good points clearly and concisely‘.

‘Boodle Hatfield has an excellent awareness and links into the wider market and central bodies that allows it to advise positively on potential changes. The real strength of the firm is its attention to detail and responsiveness. It makes a huge difference to completely trust the advice that is being received‘.

‘Hayden Bailey is very responsive, has excellent attention to detail and is good at communicating more challenging areas in simple terms‘.

‘Very good client base. Good practical advice. Team has depth and strength. Hayden Bailey, Natasha Hassall –  integrity, good client skills‘.

‘It is a small, but impactful team, working on an impressive list of HNW individuals, trusts and cultural establishments. Simon Fitzpatrick is a strong team leader with a very patient approach to matters. Becky Shaw is a true rising star, making her name in the field. Same goes for Fred Clark, who has taken on some impressive clients‘.

‘Experienced team in the art world which as a client gives you confidence in the advice. Fred Clark is excellent, very knowledgeable and responsive‘.

‘Quite simply one of the best art and cultural property teams in the country. The strength and experience is second to none. Whether you are a collector, artist, auction house or financier Boodle Hatfield should be your first stop for any art-related dispute‘.

‘Simon Fitzpatrick is able, astute and accommodating – a fine leader and a good man. Rebecca Foden is clever, conscientious and client-focused – a real team-player who adds significant value. Becky Shaw is diligent and dependable – the sort of associate anyone would want on their side‘.

‘Simon Fitzpatrick – very smart, commercial, thoughtful‘.

‘This is at the top of the tree handling all the big, high-profile cases. It has real expertise and it is a leader in the market with a fantastic reputation. Andrea Zavos is extremely talented. She is a very good lawyer but intensely practical, knowing when to stand her ground and when to fight. Mark Lindley is one of the best lawyers I know, as well as being extremely calm and good with clients.’

‘Boodle Hatfield has some of the leading and most respected practitioners in this area. The lawyers look after their clients very well. Andrea Zavos stands out for the emotional intelligence she brings to disputes as much as for her legal expertise. She knows when to settle and how to make the process work, focusing on the issues that really matter. She is all round a class act.’

‘Andrea Zavos and Simon Rylatt are both well known in the field and well able to stand their ground on behalf of their clients.’

‘A team with an excellent reputation that often has matters belying the size of the team. Mark Lindley is technically excellent, commercial and approachable. James Woods-Davison is a definitely a junior to watch.’

‘Very commercial litigators who are able to collaborate to find solutions. The lawyers do not take stupid points or take intractable positions. This is a firm you can do business with; the lawyers are interested in finding solutions.’

‘The Boodle Hatfield team has strength and depth, with a range of different lawyers with great experience and skills. Andrea Zavos particularly stands out, both for her depth of experience and her no-nonsense, insightful approach. She combines considerable empathy and charm with knowledge and pragmatism, and adopts a robust style without aggression. Simon Rylatt is quick, clever and easy to deal with.’

‘Very adept and personable, yet resolute and robust when required, always keeping cool heads when others around them are losing theirs. A really engaging and talented group of people to be around. Andrea Zavos – quite brilliant, approachable, unflappable and engaging. Andrea exudes calm even when matters escalate and she has been a highly valued adviser and confidante. Her real value is not just the tactical side of litigation but managing the “home team” and keeping everyone on track and on side in what can be very fraught circumstances. Andrea has become a “go to” for us. James Woods-Davidson – definitely one to watch for the future, he is wise beyond his years and his cool, calm, collected demeanour and friendly responsive service mean he is as excellent and unflappable in a crisis as he is around the boardroom table. Neither shaken or stirred James also has steel when required.’

‘It has extensive experience in handling very complex cross-border trusts and estates disputes; the lawyers  are extremely responsive, smart and to the point and just a great pleasure to work with. Mark Lindley stands out for his great mind and the way he manages very complex matters in a calm and very efficient way.’

‘Excellent holistic services for private clients and a unique Middle East team.’

‘Shaima Jillood and Reem Al Jumaily are excellent to work with particularly for Middle Eastern clients.’

‘Reem is the most responsive, front-footed proactive property lawyer I know.’

‘BH have a strong track record of dealing with complex legal arguments over a long period of time. They provide thorough and detailed advice, providing what was asked for and also what is required to deal with the situation in hand.’

‘They are pragmatic and honest to deal with. Other firms might indicate where you can find the answer to a problem, whereas BH give you background and the answer in detail.’

‘They are able to set out clear timescales for reporting or providing advice, they do not over-promise on delivery. They are also friendly and very knowledgeable. Simon Kerrigan works hard for you and is very efficient at getting the job done.’

‘Excellent lawyers at the top of their practice area. Quick response time and effective case management. ’

‘Eleanor Sepanski is top-notch. She is skilled, responsive, sensitive to time spent and client-focused. ’

‘The team takes time to understand your requirements, are all extremely approachable and work with you to find solutions for your organisation. They think beyond the presenting issue and will highlight potential future considerations which, for a business that takes a long-term view, is helpful. The partners appear to be well connected in their fields providing broader insights. ’

‘Natasha Hassall is very bright, technically extremely strong, explains complex problems simply and works with you to provide practical solutions. Puts clients at ease, listens, collaborates, sets out issues from different perspectives and reassures.’

‘ The team are all very experienced and effective in providing advice which spans many different areas. They work extremely well together.’

‘Collegiate team and commercially minded team. Key strength is that their partner Rahul Thakrar has a very strong finance background and understanding which means he can understand my clients needs. Rahul is also very commercially minded. Unique in that they have a flat structure and they all seem happy. Key strengths – good problem solver, commercially minded, strong finance understanding. Nimble team who are quick to think and act.’

‘Key individual who stands out is one of their partners Rahul Thakrar who has a very strong finance background and understanding which means he can understand my clients needs. Rahul is also very commercially minded and explains and communicates with my clients very clearly and comprehensively which is greatly appreciated. Rahul is liked and highly respected by all of his clients and fellow colleagues.’

‘Clients who I came across and who deal with BH have been very happy with the approachability and reactivity of the firm. Partners are accessible, revert in a timely manner and are down to earth. The different people I talk to are highly professional, cooperative and have the interest of their clients close to heart. They are very pleasant to work with as they revert quickly and collaborate well in an open and efficient way‘.

‘Boodle Hatfield has plenty of strength in depth as regards private client work. One receives a consistent good level of service from all of the fee earners. Kyra Motley has worked for several HNW clients from the Middle East for many years and has an excellent understanding of that region. Laurence Morgan, who was promoted to partner, is a good all round private client lawyer and a rising star‘.

‘The partners are close to the client and hands on which is exactly what we as a client want. Boodle Hatfield has a long term view and we value it as a partner rather than a service provider. Hayden Bailey and Laurence Morgan are exceptional professionals in their respective fields. We are used to receiving short and precise advice giving us the full picture of the situation sometimes at very short notice. Also, it is very important that you can think together with these individuals (use them as sparring partners) and use their wide knowledge to the fullest during meetings’.

‘They are very clear from the beginning about costs, speak plain, clear, English away from jargon, constantly hold conference calls for updating and questioning, so not only via emails. Kyra Motley is amazing to work with, have been referring potential clients without hesitation to Kyra‘.

‘Boodle Hatfield has a strong history in the private client market and works for many well known clients. It is able to bring its wide-ranging knowledge and experience forward to support clients. In an area like personal tax and trusts, it is vital to have knowledge, experience and an absolute attention to detail: Boodle is incredibly strong on this. Hayden Bailey is the lead partner and has really helped us understand the nuances of the trust structures and the key areas we need to be aware of. He is very responsive and gives precise, high quality advice. He has been very understanding of our position during 2020 – and worked hard to support us in a way that has worked best for us: not something that is seen in all advisory firms‘.

‘This venerable practice successfully serves a diverse client base, from ancient landed families to globally oriented entrepreneurs, providing them with a unique toolbox of experience. The lawyers have a deep understanding of their clientele – often over several generations – and can present tax and estate solutions that are individually tailored to each particular situation and the client’s personal preferences. This is not a “one size fits all” practice. The partners are straightforward, down-to-earth and comfortable addressing a broad range of private client issues involving multiple jurisdictions. Geoffrey Todd, in particular, is knowledgeable and personable. He also has the intellectual flexibility to make him an effective collaborator in cross-border planning‘.

‘Boodle Hatfield has a fantastic team, although I deal mainly with Salpy Kouyoumjian. The team is always very helpful and has a fantastic understanding of a client’s culture – particularly in the Middle East. Salpy Kouyoumjian is, to my mind, the best private client lawyer in London. She is super-knowledgeable, very easy and fun to work with and always very helpful’.

‘The team is dynamic and provides clear, accurate and very timely advice. I have complete confidence that if I recommend a client to use BH, that client will receive A1 advice from the BH team. Responsive, passionate and commercial in the advice that they give and solutions that they suggest. I am always impressed with Kyra Motley and the way that she cuts straight through to the heart of an issue and provides the client with practical and clear advice that is focused on addressing and resolving the client’s particular needs‘.

‘A first-rate firm which deals with some of the most complex high net worth financial remedy cases in London. This firm has an excellent reputation amongst the Family Bar. Its cases are expertly prepared. It is a pleasure to be instructed by them; but a source of anxiety if they are on the other side. James Ferguson- A fox who is both gentlemanly and cunning. He spots the weaknesses in an opponent’.

‘Much used by the Aristocracy and those savants who understand why the Aristocracy prefer these types of firms. James Ferguson has a military mind; focused, disciplined and keen to win‘.

‘James Ferguson – Experience and canniness. Emily Brand – Enthusiasm and intelligence. Katie Male – Hard work and intelligence‘.

‘Very commercial department; good value for money and control of costs; extensive experience in high-money cases usually with an international dimension. Ferguson: hugely composed and unflappable; tough. Brand: highly intelligent, good strategist and good at coming up with solutions. O’Callaghan: extremely efficient‘.

‘Close knit team who work very well together. Emily Brand has an amazing bed-side manner and is very experienced. Harriet is incredibly empathetic with her clients and on the ball. She is easy to work with and bounce ideas off. Katie O’Callaghan is very bright and hardworking. She is very responsive to issues as and when they arise. Alex Hirst and Katie Male are also both top-class. They are smart and diligent and get things done promptly‘.

‘Boodle Hatfield is first rate. The partners are all absolutely superb but that quality is maintained throughout the department: it is a brilliantly led team who all work well together (and delegate work effectively and appropriately) .Its  focus is always on getting the best possible outcome for the client, usually by resolving conflicts in the most commercially sensible way. The lawyers are a real joy to work with. Emily Brand is brilliant and highly effective. She sees through issues very clearly and has strong strategic insights. James Ferguson is very clever, completely unflappable, has excellent judgement, and is a skilled negotiator‘.

‘The high quality work it receives. The excellent client list. The strength of the team as a whole – there are no weak links. A smaller team but in terms of ability on a par with the top London family law firms. Emily Brand – is a class act. Very clever, great judgement and one of the best strategists in family law. She earns and retains her clients total trust through a mixture of hard work, commitment and results. 5* all the way. Katie O’Callaghan – is certainly a star of the future. Understated but steely; she has an encyclopaedic grasp of all the details of her cases. No one ie better prepared. Would highly recommend‘.

‘Really impressive team with some very experienced heads and some excellent new partners. Very modern in its outlook and client-orientated in its service. Emily Brand – classy lawyer with very sound instincts and a great manner. Harriet Errington – smart and assured. Katie O’Callaghan – absolutely on the ball‘.

‘The team comprises extremely good strategic thinkers, who look at a problem from all angles and then come up with multiple attack/defence points, forcing the opposition to fight on a number of fronts.‘

‘They have the capability of rapidly digesting and understanding complex matters regarding software and the tech sector in general, thus allowing them to progress onto the legal strategy. Moreover, I found the team to be excellent throughout, from associate to partner, and found access to partner level was easy and efficient.‘

‘This team excels in high-value disputes and litigation, where they act for an impressive roster of international (as well as) domestic clients.‘

‘On the technology front, the team has seized the opportunities during the pandemic lockdown to embed technology in its practice – this has enabled the team to do away with the prior reliance on paper, and be able to deliver high-quality document sets which stand them above their competitors.‘

‘The dispute resolution team, led by the ever-capable Simon Fitzpatrick, continues to strengthen and now punches like for like.‘

‘Simon Fitzpatrick is extremely responsive, very astute, and quick to get to the nub of a problem and assimilate the steps to be taken -very calm and composed.‘

‘Kellie Jones has a steady hand and pragmatic approach to litigation.‘

‘Senior associate Rebecca Foden is a rising star, who is extremely responsive and capable. Truly excellent – she has a forensic grasp of the detail, and offers sound pragmatic advice with excellent client-handling skills. She’s results oriented and you definitely feel more confident with her in your corner!‘

‘Excellent knowledge of our company and its background to inform on the strategy.‘

‘Real strength and experience in the private wealth/landed estate residential field.‘

‘Colin Young is very calm and hugely experienced.‘

‘Kellie Jones is bright and approachable but steely.‘

‘The property litigation department at Boodle Hatfield has considerable breadth of experience in all matters of property disputes.‘

‘Their measured and pragmatic approach to solutions and their approachable and open style, together with their in-depth knowledge of complex issues, especially with leasehold property in London, give them an edge over their competitors.‘

‘Kellie Jones is an outstanding property litigation practitioner, with in-depth knowledge of case law and property disputes.‘

‘Able to cover all the ‘usual’ commercial issues that face an organisation, combined with specific expertise and experience in the arts sector. Makes the team great, full-service support for anyone working in arts & culture‘.

‘Navpreet Atwal has exceptional intelligence. Her manner in dealing with clients is empathetic, kind, and understanding. She is very easy to work with.’

‘Boodle Hatfield is very synced up across the banking, property and construction teams which helps the process run incredibly smoothly from a client perspective. The partners are very hands on and involved which is brilliant when tackling complex structuring and due diligence issues. They have been particularly helpful in facilitating completions during remote working.’

‘I have worked with the Islamic finance, finance and real estate teams at Boodle Hatfield and have been impressed with their partner-led approach, responsiveness, client focus and collaboration/communication between teams.’

‘We put all our business through BH and have done for many years. An excellent team all round.’

‘Adam Chamberlain is client-focused and responsive.’

‘Excellent lawyers at the top of their practice area. Quick response time and effective case management. ’

‘Eleanor Sepanski is top-notch. She is skilled, responsive, sensitive to time spent and client-focused. ’

‘The team takes time to understand your requirements, are all extremely approachable and work with you to find solutions for your organisation. They think beyond the presenting issue and will highlight potential future considerations which, for a business that takes a long-term view, is helpful. The partners appear to be well connected in their fields providing broader insights. ’

‘Natasha Hassall is very bright, technically extremely strong, explains complex problems simply and works with you to provide practical solutions. Puts clients at ease, listens, collaborates, sets out issues from different perspectives and reassures.’

‘ The team are all very experienced and effective in providing advice which spans many different areas. They work extremely well together.’