Private client
The ‘large and well-resourced team’ at JMW Solicitors LLP covers a broad range of estate, tax and succession matters for ultra-high net worth individuals, including family business owners, property developers and landowners, institutional clients and professional trustees. The team’s regular instructions include trust planning and restructuring, the establishment of asset protection vehicles, deputyship and Court of Protection matters, as well as domicile and residency issues and litigation. The practice is jointly led by Joe Cobb and Megan Christie-Copeland, with the former specialising in acting for owner-managed businesses and corporate vehicles and the latter supports vulnerable adult clients on estate and asset management, as well as any contentious issues arising from allegations of wrongdoing. In the team Andrew Cusworth handles cross-border deputyship matters, Rebecca Brown is frequently in the CoP covering personal injury and clinical negligence related claims, while Laura Bywater – who joined the practice in September 2024- primarily handles estate and succession planning for HNW individuals. Further team changes include the addition of Danielle Carter, who joined the practice in August 2024 from Jackson Lees Group, while Chris Dennis left in May 2024.
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Profile
Work Department
Court of Protection
Position
Megan joined JMW in September 2020 as Partner and Head of Court of Protection (COP). She acts as deputy, trustee and attorney and is also a director of JMW Trust Corporation Limited. Megan manages one of the largest and fastest-growing COP teams in the country.
She also:
- Handles the team’s most complex cases (10% pro bono) involving multi-million-pound estates, international assets, contested legal proceedings and fraud allegations.
- Supports clients with the most profound disabilities, reduced life expectancy and challenging behaviours. She builds trust with clients, their families and their support network.
- Provides free training/seminars to care providers, local authorities and charities, promoting awareness and collaboration to support vulnerable children/adults.
Career
- 2020 - present - JMW - Partner and Head of Court of Protection
- 2018 - 2020 - Linder Myers - Principal lawyer and Head of Court of Protection
- 2015 - 2018 - Linder Myers - Associate Solicitor
- 2012 - 2014 - Irwin Mitchell - Solicitor
- 2010 - 2012 - Pannone Solicitors - Trainee Solicitor
Memberships
Megan actively lobbies for best practice and legal change and is an active, voluntary member of professional bodies including:
- Court of Protection Practitioners’ Association (CoPPA)
- Court User Group (CUG)
- Founding member of the Professional Deputies Forum (PDF)
- Public Authority Deputies Support Network (PADSN)
- Association of Public Authority Deputies (APAD)
She’s also been a member of numerous committees including:
- Manchester Young Solicitor Group (MYSG) - Director of Sponsorship and Events
- Sale Town Partnership - Chair
Education
- 2009-2010 - Manchester College of Law
- 2008-2009 - University of Melbourne
- 2006-2009 - University of Manchester
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Rebecca Brown provides very reliable and clear advice on deputyship costs in high value clinical negligence matters.’
‘JMW are a friendly team who are always willing to go the extra mile. They have significant expertise in different areas and stay up to date with caselaw and changes in practice. They are always looking for innovative ways to work and technology that could better their service for clients. ’
‘Because of her exceptional knowledge Laura Bywater has the ability to explain complicated private client matters in simple terms.’
‘Large, well resourced team who can deal with a wide range of matters.’
‘Megan Christie-Copeland is excellent. Andrew Cusworth a fabulous technician.’
‘A young and dynamic team of well-trained individuals who know not only their law but apply it practically and commercially, They also understand the importance of the way to approach and deal with the huge diversity of private clients.’