Rachel Rawnsley > Addleshaw Goddard > Leeds, England > Lawyer Profile

Clients see the pensions lawyers at Addleshaw Goddard as ‘excellent, considered and thoughtful‘, advising employers, trustees, representative beneficiaries and pensions professionals on the spectrum of pensions issues, including public sector scheme issues and scheme investments. Rachel Rawnsley heads the national pensions practice, while the London team is headed by Catherine McAllister . Judith Donnelly is the name to note for public sector pensions.

Addleshaw Goddard‘s pensions disputes group is positioned to handle litigation arising out of SIPPs, SSAS and pensions products, as well as instructions related to pensions liberation and fraud. The group is also well-versed in data breach issues relating to pensions. The team is led from Manchester by Susan Garrett (who has ‘the sort of experience you cannot buy‘), who is an expert in professional negligence claims, in addition to pensions liberation and fraud cases, and warranty and indemnity claims. In Leeds, Rachel Uttley focuses on internal dispute resolution procedures and pension ombudsman claims, while Jade Murray, head of the SIPPs and pension products team, acts for trustees and administrators in a variety of contentious issues. Rachel Rawnsley is also in Leeds and has a strong trustee client base and London’s Catherine McAllister is the name to note for court applications seeking directions and rectification.

Addleshaw Goddard houses the region’s preeminent pensions practice. The group is praised for its ‘excellent knowledge and technical expertise’ and regularly handles large scale transactions for FTSE100 clients. Jointly led by Jade Murray  and Rachel Rawnsley, the team has particular specialisms in SIPP and SSAS, buy-ins and buy-outs and university pension schemes. Rachel Uttley also leads the wider group and its specialist bulk annuity practice, which was further strengthened by the arrival of Richard Shelton in September 2021 from Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP. In Manchester, Susan Garrett is the head of the pensions disputes team.