The private client team at Ellisons are celebrating after being shortlisted in three categories at the Modern Law Private Client Awards 2026.
The team are in the running for the Wills & Estate Planning Team of the Year, Probate & Estate Administration Team of the Year and Court of Protection Team of the Year awards, which recognise excellence across the private client sector.
Nicola Weldon, partner and head of private client at Ellisons (main photo, left), said: “Three shortlistings in one year is a strong result for the team and reflects the standard of work we are delivering across the board.
“We are dealing with complex and often very personal matters for clients, so it is important we get both the detail and the approach right. You do not achieve that level of recognition without consistent performance, and this speaks to the quality and reliability of the team.”
Kay Baker, partner and head of Court of Protection (main photo, right), added: “This is a strong acknowledgement of the work carried out by our Court of Protection team. We support clients who depend on us to act in their best interests over the long term, which requires careful judgement as well as technical expertise. The team takes that responsibility seriously, and it is positive to see that reflected here.”
Winners will be announced on 1st July.
Steph Potter (right), a wills and probate solicitor at Switalskis’ Knaresborough office, has achieved Accredited Lifetime Lawyer status, placing her in the top 1% of solicitors 
nationwide.
Potter received the accreditation in recognition of her in-depth understanding of vulnerable and elderly people and her ability to give high-quality legal advice to help them plan for later-life and care-related needs.
The accreditation is regarded as a gold standard for practitioners working in areas such as wills, lasting powers of attorney, inheritance planning and care fee considerations. Fewer than 1,500 solicitors nationwide hold the accreditation.
Potter said: “I’m proud to have achieved this accreditation, which gives clients confidence they’re receiving the highest standard of legal support.
“Care needs and costs are increasing, and with an ageing population, trusted legal advice is more critical than ever to help people prepare for later life with confidence.
“This can involve difficult decisions for individuals and families, and it’s important that people have access to clear, specialist advice and to someone they trust to guide them through the process. The accreditation is a reflection of my commitment to helping people receive clear, specialist advice at what can often be a very sensitive and complex time.”
Knights has strengthened its private client team in Bristol with the appointment of Nerys Thomas (left) as a partner.
An expert across all aspects of private client law, Nerys advises clients on tax, trusts and succession planning and brings a decade of post-qualification experience gained across Bristol, Cardiff and the West Midlands. She joins Knights with a strong track record of supporting clients on complex wealth structuring and long-term planning matters.
Her expertise includes lifetime planning, including complex will preparation and inheritance tax mitigation advice for high-net-worth individuals, families and business owners, the creation and administration of English trusts, including advice to trustees on fiduciary duties, powers and trust terminations, and the administration of complex, high-value estates.
A full member of STEP and a fluent Welsh speaker, Nerys’ appointment in Bristol comes soon after the arrival of private client partner Daniel Harris.
The continued growth in Bristol is supported by strong performance across the wider business, with a financial update released last month showing an expected 28% year-on-year revenue increase to £207 million and profits up 18% to £33 million.
Thomas said: “I’m delighted to be joining Knights during such an exciting period of growth for the business. I’ve worked across the South West and South Wales for most of my career so far, I’m looking forward to working with clients and colleagues from across the Knights network in what is a highly collaborative and supportive working environment.”
Simpler Law is celebrating its tenth anniversary by sponsoring the BBC’s Good Food Show Summer and the Gardeners World Live event at the Birmingham NEC.
Since its launch in 2016 Simpler Law has grown from 19 employees to almost 200 and provided documents for around 220,000 satisfied clients. The firm securely manages over £1.2 billion in trust assets.
The firm was founded in Lincoln and now has a presence in Leicester, South Wales and Manchester.
“We are delighted to partner with the BBC at this prestigious event,” said Simon Hughes, group commercial and marketing director.
“It will give us the opportunity to inform members of the public of the importance of having a will. Planning your will is a loving gesture, making the lives of your loved ones easier, and making sure that everyone understands your wishes.”
