We're pleased to announce that four Partners in our Private Client department have been included in this year's Spear's 500 Tax Lawyers Index – a directory of the most trusted advisers to the wealthiest families.
Partner Wilfrid Vernor-Miles has been highlighted as a 'Top Recommended' lawyer in the index, while Partners Lara Barton, Mary Elliott and Julia Lewis have been acknowledged as 'Recommended' lawyers.
The Spear's 2025 Tax Lawyers Index highlights the UK's top tax advisers, recognised for their expertise in areas such as inheritance tax, capital gains tax, international structuring, and estate planning. Inclusion in the index is based on rigorous evaluation, including technical proficiency, client feedback, and peer endorsements.
Wilfrid Vernor-Miles, Partner
Focus: Tax and succession planning
"Vernor-Miles has worked extensively with jurisdictions including the US, Channel Islands, Switzerland, Panama, British Virgin Islands, the Far East, South Africa and Mauritius. He also has considerable experience in complex probate and estate administration work, advising client families as well as professional referees and national charities."
Read Wilfrid's full profile: Wilfrid Vernor-Miles (Spear's 500)
Lara Barton, Partner
Focus: Estate planning, probate, trusts and mental capacity
"Barton advises on complex estate administration and tax planning matters, with particular expertise in elderly client law. Her day-to-day casework covers wills, trusts, powers of attorney, Court of Protection matters and probate, as well as cross-border estate issues."
Read Lara's full profile: Lara Barton (Spear's 500)
Mary Elliott, Partner
Focus: Succession planning and tax
"Elliott has also acted in Variation of Trusts Act 1958 applications, both for claimants and defendants, including Court of Protection applications. In all these cases, she says, her priority is to understand as much as possible about the individuals and families she acts for."
Read Mary's full profile: Mary Elliott (Spear's 500)
Julia Lewis, Partner
Focus: Landed estates and heritage property
"She has significant tax and trusts experience, with a particular expertise in estate planning, landed estates and heritage property, and has advised on wills, powers of attorney, probate and estate administration for HNW entrepreneurs and landed families."
Read Julia's full profile: Julia Lewis (Spear's 500)
Full list of top tax lawyers
See the full list of top tax lawyers, specialists in inheritance planning, international structuring, and complex cross-border matters, on the Spear's 500 website [external link].