Sara Morgan, chair of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP), has joined Joseph Hage Aaronson & Bremen LLP as partner within its expanding private client team.
Morgan (main photo) is a solicitor and chartered tax adviser with over 20 years’ experience in private client tax, trusts and estate work. She advises individuals and trustees in the UK and overseas on tax and estate planning, structuring, trusts law, succession and family governance issues, as well as HMRC enquiries and settlements, and has particular expertise in matters with an international dimension.
“Joseph Hage Aaronson & Bremen has an exceptional reputation, and rightly so”, Morgan said. “Its unique structure, with solicitors, barristers and forensic accountants working in lockstep, means it can plan for and support private clients with a holistic and long-term approach to their needs and wishes.
“Where difficulties or disputes arise, the breadth of expertise and skills at the firm mean that it is uniquely well-placed to advise private clients with the endgame in mind from day one. I am delighted to be joining the Private Client team at such an exciting juncture. Now, more than ever, clients need advisers who can help them plan with confidence through changing UK tax policy.”
Haighs Solicitors has joined Farnworth Rose to spearhead the firm’s growth in West Yorkshire. The move brings two offices and over 40 team members, including a central support team, to Farnworth Rose in the region.
As part of the merger, Farnworth Rose will provide central business operations in the form of marketing, sales and administrative support, as well as additional legal expertise.
Nick Haigh, principal solicitor at Haighs, said of the acquisition: “More support, experience, technology and resources are immediately available to us here at Haighs. We’re already seeing our new teammates supporting with client work where we either simply needed more of the same skills or in areas we previously couldn’t support with.”
Farnworth Rose, which is headquartered on the border of Nelson and Burnley, was established in 2007 and expanded into Manchester last year with the acquisition of Pinnington Law.
Probate lending specialist Advanced Inheritance has achieved the highest five-star rating across its entire range of loans, following Defaqto’s reintroduction of its Short Term 
Probate Loan Star Ratings.
The independent ratings recognise the features and benefits offered across Advanced Inheritance’s product range, including customer safeguards and support services.
The lender offers loans directly to customers as well as through specialist finance brokers. The company allows beneficiaries and personal representatives to access funds from estates after somebody has died and before the completion of probate.
CEO Dan Baines (pictured right) said of the rating: “We’ve always believed customers shouldn’t have to choose between great service and great value. Receiving Defaqto’s highest five star rating across our entire product range is a significant milestone for our business.
“It’s independent recognition of the work our team has put into creating products that lead the way in helping executors and beneficiaries at a difficult time.”
Legal indemnity insurance provider CLSQ has strengthened its underwriting proposition with a new specialist team structure.
Four specialist pillars will now provide clients with greater access to dedicated expertise across legal indemnity and estate administration risks.
The new structure has been designed to create greater specialisation within the experienced underwriting team. A dedicated estate administration underwriting team will be led by Faye Rogers and focus on probate and estate administration-related risks.
Chantelle Wren, CLSQ legal indemnity underwriting director (pictured left), said of the new structure: “Our underwriting team has more than 120 years’ combined experience and this structure ensures that expertise is aligned to the areas where clients need it most.
“Whether it’s a straightforward legal indemnity policy, a complex commercial transaction or an estate administration matter, clients can be confident they are dealing with specialists who understand the risk and can provide the support required.”
Birmingham and Solihull law firm Sydney Mitchell has retained its Lexcel accreditation, The Law Society’s recognised legal quality mark.
Awarded only to firms that demonstrate outstanding performance across client care, risk management, leadership, operational effectiveness and regulatory compliance, the accreditation provides clients with independent assurance of a firm’s quality and professionalism.
Karen Moores, senior partner at Sydney Mitchell, said: “Retaining our Lexcel accreditation is a fantastic achievement and reflects the dedication, professionalism and commitment of every member of our team. It recognises the strong culture we have built around delivering exceptional legal advice and outstanding client service for both private and business clients.
“Lexcel, together with our CQS accreditation, demonstrates our continued commitment to maintaining the highest standards of quality, compliance and best practice across every area of the firm.”
And finally, international law firm Withers has created what it calls “a gamified new experience” to illustrate the complexities and competing priorities in family and family business succession.
Line of Succession presents the fictional Lee family, owners of a successful international business, and asks players to decide how they can help the family to navigate a series of difficult scenarios while preserving their wealth, reputation and cohesion.
Ceri Vokes, Withers CEO, explained: “Helping families to protect their assets and to provide a lasting legacy for future generations is the heart of what we do at Withers. As the Great Wealth Transfer gathers pace, we wanted to create a game to explore the opportunities and challenges that come with succession planning.
“Bold thinking and creative problem-solving have long been what distinguishes our firm, and the game is designed to show how we bring legal precision and human insight to circumstances our clients frequently face.”
