A year after joining Wake Smith and 10 months after becoming head of department, Suzanne Porter, looks at the private client team’s work and highlights of the last 12 months.
“When I came to Wake Smith I wanted to be part of a company where I could be more involved with the development of the firm and make a bigger difference.
“That has certainly been the case. I joined a growing department in a very dynamic and engaging firm, with eyes firmly set on a clear development plan.
“In my time here so far I have seen the department grow and improve its services. Our ever expanding team now has eight fee earners and 4 secretaries. The department recruited a new paralegal to focus on Wills and powers of attorney especially to deal with the volume and specialism required.
“At any given time there are around 20 estates valued in excess of £1m each in the course of administration.
“The value of trust funds under management by the department is over £61m.
“Our department’s niche strengths are inheritance tax planning, usually via Wills and trusts, dealing with the affairs of the elderly and vulnerable by means of Lasting Powers of Attorney and Deputyship applications to, and appointments by, the Court of Protection.
“A new business plan together with a revised management strategy has seen the department take strides on previous years. New strategies have included better use of individual’s time, case loads and case management systems, structuring fees and staff feedback.
“The team covers all aspects of private client work and also works very closely with the personal injury and clinical negligence department here. Since joining the firm, I have been instructed, via referrals, to set up four personal injury trusts, the settlement values going into the trusts amounting in total to just over £3m.
“There is a clear policy within the firm, supported whole-heartedly by the private client team, of departments working together to provide clients with the best possible service that the firm can offer.
“The department also has responsibility for the administration of a long-standing group of family settlements, which now have some 40 or more beneficiaries, some of the 4th generation. The assets of the settlements have a total value in excess of £24 million. Team members consultant Michael Tunbridge, director Andrew Vidler and myself are trustees of the various settlements.
“Aside from our day to day roles the team has numerous interests all connected to the legal world.
“I have many years’ experience in dealing with licensing issues for clients across the region and continue to offer this expertise at Wake Smith.
“Andrew continues his role as registrar for the Anglican Diocese of Sheffield in 2018 and Andrew, Michael and Rachel Baseley are all members of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).
“Rachel is also currently lecturing on the Wills and Administration of Estates course and the Private Client components of the Legal Practice Course at Derby University.
“What we have here is an exceptional team which is technically brilliant.”
For further information on the private client team call Wake Smith Solicitors on 0114 266 6660.
