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Abigail Tardivel

Posted on: August 28th, 2024 by Hugh Dineen-Lees

Originally from Guernsey in the Channel Islands, I joined Lawrence Stephens as a trainee solicitor in September 2024. After graduating with a degree in Law from the University of Liverpool in September 2023, I completed the LPC LLM at the University of Law in Liverpool in 2024, where I achieved a distinction.

I have gained experience in various sectors of the legal field through work in different law firms and have three years of company secretarial experience, which has enhanced my understanding of corporate law.

Outside of the office, I stay active through running and going to the gym. I also enjoy reading, travelling, and spending quality time socialising with friends and family.

Henry Richards

Posted on: March 25th, 2024 by Yvonne Uzoka

I joined Lawrence Stephens as a solicitor in the Private Wealth Disputes team in March 2024.  

I originally studied English Literature and Philosophy at the University of East Anglia (UEA), graduating in 2019. I converted to law by completing the Graduate Diploma in Law at UEA and subsequently the LPC at the University of Law. I also spent a year abroad at the University of Groningen studying International and European Law.  

Within litigation, my areas of focus are claims for dependency under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975; challenges to the validity of wills; mental capacity challenges; actions brought and defended in respect of trusts; Estoppel claims, failed promises, breaches of agreements and constructive and resulting trust claims; and professional negligence.

Generally, I will represent beneficiaries of estates and trusts, those excluded from inheritance unfairly, trustees, executors, attorneys and deputies.    

As part of the wider Contentious Trusts and Probate team, we not only work within the UK, but also deal with international matters with a connection to the UK – for example, in relation to the assets claimed, the person we are representing and the location of the trust or estate.  

Outside of work, I enjoy playing five-a-side football, surfing and tennis. I also watch AFC Bournemouth.

 

Electra Kallidou

Posted on: October 4th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I joined Lawrence Stephens as a trainee in September 2023, having completed the LPC with Distinction at BPP University.  Prior to that, I read Law at the University of Leeds, where I graduated with First-class honours.

I aspire to build a successful career in law where trust, collaboration and commitment define my relationships with both colleagues and clients.

As a Cypriot/American, I seek to bring a diverse perspective to my legal practice. My multicultural background and international awareness allows me to cultivate meaningful connections, extending far beyond borders.

In my free time, I cherish moments with friends and family, explore new destinations and cuisines through travel, and find joy in the company of dogs!

Joe Furze

Posted on: August 3rd, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I joined Lawrence Stephens’ Private Wealth department as a paralegal in August 2023.

I have been practicing as a Solicitor in England and Wales since 19 April 2024, having previously practiced as a Barrister and Solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand for five years

I have experience with assisting high net worth clients with their succession planning and their internal restructurings, including advising clients in relation to trusts, wills and Powers of Attorney.

In my spare time, I enjoy keeping fit at the gym, playing video games and traveling.

Carly Russell

Posted on: February 10th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I joined Lawrence Stephens as a Director in the Private Wealth and Succession Planning department in June 2022.  I previously headed up the private client team at Brecher LLP, advising on contentious and non-contentious private wealth.

I have practiced in the high net wealth private client industry for over 20 years.  My practice covers advice and assistance to UK and international clients. Clients include fiduciaries, corporate entities, entrepreneurs and individuals with family wealth.

I offer a fused practice of private client litigation and non-contentious work.

My litigation work is UK and cross-border actions, involving dependency claims under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, contentious probate actions, will challenges, the removal of fiduciaries, breach of trust actions, HMRC challenges, mental capacity challenges, charity disputes and professional negligence.

On the non-contentious side, I prepare and administer wills and trusts, undertake UK and cross-border probate administration, succession planning, lifetime planning, lasting powers of attorney and deputyship matters and philanthropy.  My main focuses are all aspects of direct taxes (inheritance tax, capital gains tax and income tax) and UK and international asset structuring for asset protection, succession and tax planning purposes using trust structures and family investment companies.

Away from work, I enjoy travel, challenging myself with new sports, music and watching sport.

Experience highlights

  • Restructuring of share ownership for private clients prior to company floating and change in citizenship and residence status of client; the impetus of the exercise asset protection and future succession planning
  • Acting for the beneficiary of a high value offshore trust to negotiate with the trustees a significant distribution as a result of a challenge by the beneficiary for trustees’ breach of fiduciary duties.
  • Settlement of negotiations with HMRC in respect of the inheritance tax payable from an estate with multi-jurisdictional assets of an ultra-high value, involving the application of case law to support the discounting of asset values and the use of estate capital losses
  • Winding up of a shares pension scheme where the sole member lacks capacity and the directors of the company in which the shares were held were in dispute
  • Multi-jurisdictional high value contentious probate focusing on challenges over domicile and claims for dependency under the Inheritance (Provision for Family and Dependants) Act 1975, involving the application of private international laws. Successfully defending the claims to the estate
  • Acting for trustees in the winding up of a historic employee benefit trust that had been negligently drafted by a third party and amended negligently over a period of 15 years. Advising and resolving the tax status of the trust with HMRC and thereafter winding it up

Gareth Hughes

Posted on: February 10th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I’m an experienced private client lawyer with more than 20 years’ experience in acting to protect and preserve my clients’ wealth and assets.

My clients include high-net-worth-individuals (both domiciled in the UK and of non-domiciled status). I regularly advise on estate and tax planning, the preparation of complex wills and the creation and administration of trusts.  I also act for clients in preparing both UK and US wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney, draft declarations of trust, make applications to the Court of Protection and manage a full range of probate matters.

When not working, I have a passion for travel and adventure, and enjoy experiencing different cultures around the world.  I also enjoy running, swimming and am a keen rugby fan.

Experience highlights 

  • Advising on a cross-border tax and estate planning for a US individual resident in the UK, with net assets exceeding £50m
  • Supported on the administration of a multi-jurisdictional estate with assets exceeding £75m
  • Acting as lead Trustee for a multi-million pound discretionary will trust, managing complex family relationships and needs
  • Acting as sole attorney under a Lasting Power of Attorney for property & financial Affairs for a UHNW individual

Isabella Tamlyn

Posted on: February 10th, 2023 by Natasha Cox

I joined Lawrence Stephens in September 2022 as a trainee solicitor, and qualified in the Private Wealth team in September 2024.

I completed an undergraduate degree in Philosophy, then completed the GDL at the University of Law, before going on to study the LPC LLM whilst working as a paralegal part-time.

I’m from Devon and enjoy keeping fit, particularly through yoga and spinning.