Birketts LLP is vastly experienced in advising high-net-worth individuals and families on succession planning advice and tax relief. The practice, which is praised for its ‘legal knowledge, support, and experience’ is jointly overseen by Bernadette Baker and Amanda Smallcombe. Baker is highly proficient in estate administration disputes, trust claims, and professional negligence claims surrounding advice relating to wills, trusts, and estates, while Smallcombe’s broad caseload encompasses Court of Protection matters, proprietary estoppel issues, and challenges to a wills validity. Other key members of the team include Sharon Bell and Jenny Howe.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Their legal knowledge, support, and experience were amazing.'
- 'Birketts LLP have sought to expand from their East Anglian power base into the South East and have been successful in doing so. This includes good recruitment, such as Sharon Bell.'
- 'Birketts LLP are a pre-eminent firm in the contentious trusts and probate market.'
- 'Sharon Bell is a pragmatic, approachable, and sensitive legal adviser. She is commercially astute and well versed in the law and the facts of the case.'
- 'I have worked with Sharon Bell for many years and remain impressed by her dedication to her clients and cases. She has one of the highest client satisfaction rates I have seen, mostly because of her ability to empathise and connect with her clients – which is especially important in private client matters.'
- 'Amanda Smallcombe has a strong background, but is sensible and pragmatic in negotiations. These skills are repeated in other team members including Jenny Howe.'
Practice head
Bernadette Baker: Amanda Smallcombe
Other key lawyers
Sharon Bell: Jenny Howe