Womble Bond Dickinson's (WBD) private wealth team has once again been recognised with a top tier ranking in the 2023 edition of Chambers High Net Worth (HNW), a guide to the leading lawyers and law firms of choice for individuals and families.
Published annually, Chambers HNW focuses on the international private wealth market and related specialisms in key jurisdictions around the world, and also recommends leading accountancy firms, private banks, wealth managers, trust companies and other professional advisors to high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth clients.
WBD is recognised in London, Bristol, Yorkshire, the North East and Scotland. The guide highlights the top tier North East team as having 'a very high calibre of people who know their subject inside-out' and 'highly skilled with exceptional levels of expertise'.
The Bristol team is also ranked highly and highlighted for possessing a 'high level of professionalism, experience and expertise coupled with a strong ethos in exhibiting client care with a sensitive, friendly and straightforward manner'.
The guide recognises ten of the firm's lawyers as leading individuals:
Edinburgh-based partner Richard Pike is described as 'very approachable' and clients say he 'adopts a solutions-based approach to every issue', adding 'I trust his judgement and his technical ability to deal with any contentious estate work'. Emily Pike, also based in Edinburgh, is recognised as 'technically strong and able to handle complex and sophisticated matters' with clients adding she has a 'solution-driven approach' and 'provides sound advice and is a true professional'.
In London, Neil Long is highlighted as an experienced private client lawyer with a great strategic approach and a really innovative way of looking at things and is described as having 'excellent client-handling skills', while Will Ford is singled out as being 'very dynamic, hugely responsive and thorough' with clients impressed by his ability to bring 'a technical side to the perspective' and 'distil complex tax legislation into an easy-to-understand narrative'.
Mark Woodward, James Radcliffe and Christopher Kerr-Smiley from WBD's Bristol office all maintain their rankings from last year. Mark is described as a 'highly experienced practitioner who engenders high client loyalty and possesses as much emotional intelligence as legal expertise'; James has a 'wealth of experience on a wide range of work, including tax matters, succession family and estate planning work', while Chris is described as 'an experienced, diligent and astute safe pair of hands'.
Helen Tavroges and Deborah Jude were recognised in the Newcastle market. Senior counsel Helen is 'renowned for being a very strong private client practitioner'. Deborah is described as being 'absolutely first-class' with clients commenting that 'her trust expertise is second to none'.
In Leeds, Susan Maxey advises clients on matters relating to tax and estate planning with clients describing her as 'remarkable for her tact, diplomacy, warmth and empathy and is highly technically accomplished'.
David Dale, Head of Private Wealth at WBD, comments:
"We are delighted to have retained our top tier ranking in the Chambers HNW Guide, and to have so many colleagues recognised as top tier advisers. WBD's private wealth team prides itself on providing high quality service and advice to our clients and this recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team.
"It’s fantastic that these rankings draw directly on client feedback as cultivating trusted, longstanding relationships with our clients is at the very heart of our business.”
