England - London • Private client
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Personal tax, trusts and probate

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Macfarlanes LLP

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Macfarlanes LLP 'is the yardstick of private client advice, setting standards’. Piers Barclay heads an ‘absolutely first-rate team’, which advises wealthy clients across all aspects of private client work. The group particularly stands out for its expertise in complex international matters, typically for very wealthy clients with assets, business interests, and families across multiple jurisdictions. It has a plethora of excellent practitioners among them, including Charles Gothard who has a significant Middle East/GCC practice. Nicholas Harries’ expertise spans international trusts and estate planning matters and he has a particular emphasis on the Far East. Edward Reed‘s practice has a large European element, while Jennifer Smithson has built up a specialism in advising financial services executives (private equity, hedge funds, and investment bankers), as well as entrepreneurs moving to the UK. Richard Giangrande is recognised for his advice on the tax treatment of fund management executives, as well as supporting entrepreneurs in the technology sector. Paul Hardwick was recently promoted to the partnership, and Mark Hunter and Sebastian Prichard Jones are among the other key members of the department.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘The team is amongst the very best.'

  • ‘Piers Barclay works incredibly hard. This means that in addition to all the attributes one would expect of the head of department at a leading firm, his client engagement is phenomenal.'

  • 'Richard Giangrande - charming and astute: his professorial style hides a keen strategic mind and an ability to deal professionally with the most difficult clients. He has also had one or two really notable victories in court recently, which is impressive for a non-contentious specialist.'
  • 'Charlotte Howard - charming, approachable and technically excellent. Nicholas Harries - an old school private client lawyer whose laid back style hides a rapier mind.’

  • ‘Charles Gothard has immense experience in cross-border wealth structuring matters.  Jennifer Smithson is the go to-person in UK or US-related matters.  Nicholas Harries is a brilliant barrister in this firm of outstanding solicitors.'

  • ‘Sebastian Prichard Jones - versatile, responsive and innovative. Richard Giangrande - smart, thoughtful. Michael Shaw - committed, responsive, practical, excellent client liaison.’

  • 'Jennifer Smithson is a stand-out private client lawyer. Her technical expertise is exceptional and she brings creativity and energy to projects. She is highly responsive, great at working with a multi-disciplined project teams and skilled at breaking down and explaining concepts to a non-private client audience.'

  • 'Charles Gothard is the lead partner who combines deep technical expertise with a hands-on approach, clear communication, wise common sense judgement and an understanding of the commercial and personal issues involved.'

Lawyers

Hall of Fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Next Generation Partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Paul Hardwick
Macfarlanes LLP

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

Piers Barclay

Other key lawyers

Edward Reed, Charles Gothard, Nicholas Harries, Richard Giangrande, Paul Hardwick, Sebastian Prichard Jones, Alex Jones, Mark Hunter, Charlotte Howard, Jennifer Smithson, Michael Shaw