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.

  • 'Jenny Howe works collaboratively and constructively. We very quickly reached settlement in a 1975 Act claim. Jenny was available, friendly and knowledgeable.'
  • 'Amanda Smallcombe is incredible. A very approachable and extremely knowledgeable litigator.'
  • 'Amanda Smallcombe has a strong background, but is sensible and pragmatic in negotiations. These skills are repeated in other team members including Jenny Howe.'
  • '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.'
  • '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.'
  • 'Birketts LLP are a pre-eminent firm in the contentious trusts and probate market.'

Practice head

Bernadette Baker: Amanda Smallcombe

Other key lawyers

Sharon Bell: Jenny Howe