Wake Smith shortlisted twice in Yorkshire Lawyer Awards

Sheffield’s Wake Smith Solicitors has been shortlisted twice in the Yorkshire Legal Awards 2019.

The firm, which has serviced the legal requirements of individuals and companies across the Sheffield City Region for more than 200 years, has been recognised by the judges in the Private Client and Commercial Property categories.

The prestigious awards celebrate the achievements of the best lawyers and law firms in Yorkshire, with the winners announced at a ceremony in Leeds on October 10.

Neil Salter, director and head of property at Wake Smith Solicitors said: “The departments’ specialist expertise has allowed steady growth for the team over the past two years, with both a local and national client base and established trusted relationships with intermediaries in specialist sectors. What we are now seeing is a real increase in quality of instructions in development and investment work as a result of our focus on these areas.

“The nomination reflects our long-term vision and growth as a company and our desire to provide an exemplary service to our clients.”

Suzanne Porter, director and head of the Private Client team at Wake Smith Solicitors, said: “We are proud to have been named as a Finalist for such a prestigious award for the second year in a row. This shortlisting is testament to the team solidifying its position as a leader in bespoke solutions for our clients.”

The commercial property team at Wake Smith is the firm’s largest department with nine fee earners offering a wide range of expertise. It deals with all aspects of commercial property work for a diverse pool of clients with local and national portfolios advising on complex, high value and sometimes novel, commercial property transactions.

Niche sectors including healthcare, residential development and investment and management of mixed use schemes.

Wake Smith’s experienced private client team advises and assists with estate planning including Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, Estate administration, Family and Charitable trusts, Elderly client services, Court of protection applications and Wills, trusts and estates disputes.

Its strengths include inheritance tax planning via wills and trusts, and 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.

Wake Smith has approximately 90 staff, including 20 directors, with more than 40 experienced legal professionals; including solicitors, associates, consultants and chartered legal executives providing legal expertise and practical law advice.