Private client
Charles Russell Speechlys LLP is recognised for its global expertise under the first-class joint leadership of Piers Master and Robert Blower. Clients remark that its ‘team size and depth of experience are impressive’. It provides a fully integrated service to wealthy HNW/ UHNWIs and their families, family offices, landed estates, private banks, trustees, and wealth managers. Bart Peerless’ clients include some of the world’s wealthiest families. Simon Weil frequently acts for families with heritage assets. Dominic Lawrance often advises successful internationally mobile individuals who are currently UK residents, or are planning on moving to the UK. Many of William Begley’s clients are drawn from the worlds of business, property, finance, media and the arts. Sangna Chauhan is sought after for her lifetime planning advice. Nicola Thorpe and Alice Wilne are both well-regarded. The firm recently had a number of additions to the partnership: Amira Shaker-Bortman joined the team in April 2024 from McDermott Will & Schulte, while Jonathan Burt joined the firm in December 2024 from Harbottle & Lewis LLP. Catrin Harrison; Oliver Little and Sarah Wray were all promoted to the partnership in May 2025.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Mentions
Profile
Work Department
Private wealth; private client.
Position
Partner
Career
William’s experience and expertise is often called upon to devise strategies to protect the wealth of his clients and to find innovative solutions to the complex issues and challenges they face. Many of William’s clients are household names, drawn from the worlds of business, property, finance, media and the arts.
William’s client-base includes UHNW families and trustees, many of whom own established and well-known businesses. In several instances, he has been advising the same clients for over two decades, building a level of trust and understanding which only comes from investing time and energy into client relationships over the long term.
William is highlighted in key leading directories, Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners, and is reported as being “very charming and has a reassuring manner; he elicits a lot of confidence in clients due to his approach” and that his “problem-solving and responsiveness are on point.” He is also listed as a Top Recommended Tax Lawyer in the 2024 Spear’s 500.
William is admitted to practise in England and Wales.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Bart Peerless-exceptional all round client service. Pier Master-very strong technical skills.'
'Charles Russell Speechlys is absolutely first rate in the private client practice, with deep experience and expertise in complex, multi-jurisdictional planning and litigation. All of their partners are impressive, as are their associates.'
'Of particular note are Bart Peerless, Piers Master, and Jeremy Arnold. Each is a top advisor in our field, with keen intelligence, excellent judgement built on deep experience, and a practical approach to difficult problems.’
‘Bart Peerless is the senior partner of the firm, and one of the top international private client lawyers globally. He is deeply experienced, extremely capable and efficient, possessing excellent judgement and vision. We value his advice highly and turn to him regularly.'
'Piers Master -as an accomplished partner at Charles Russell Speechlys, I work with him regularly, as do the other private client partners in our firm, and we unanimously find him a superb lawyer. He is not only deeply knowledgeable about English law, but knows a great deal about US law.' 'Jeremy Arnold-I have worked closely with Jeremy for many years on complex, high stakes, international trust litigation and tax planning, and have been extraordinarily impressed with his intellect, strategic vision and creativity. He is a joy to work with, a marvellous ally, and I would never want to be his opponent.'