Four partners named in Spear's 500 2020

Four Taylor Wessing partners have been listed in the annual Spear’s 500 index.

The chosen four are drawn from across the firm's Private Wealth and Private client groups and include partner and head of Taylor Wessing's International Private Wealth group, Nick Warr and partner Mark Buzzoni, both recognised as top Tax & Trusts Advisers, partner and head of the Residential Property group Elaine Dobson, who has been feted as a top property adviser and partner Niri Shan who has been named as a top reputation management lawyer.

The index celebrates the top Private client advisers, wealth managers, lawyers and service providers for high net worth individuals. Those who have made it onto the list are recognised as leaders when it comes to providing the best possible service for clients.

Nick specialises in advising international high net worth individuals and families with regards to their fiscal and succession planning requirements. He has particular expertise in advising individuals from the finance industry on all aspects of their personal and corporate structuring and acts for a significant number of investment bankers, hedge fund managers and private equity principals from leading organisations and funds.

Mark specialises in asset holding structures, including trusts, for individuals and families. He also advises on matters relating to personal taxation, migration across borders and tax planning. He acts as, and advises, trustees of trusts of considerable value and ultra-high net worth individuals across the world. He is highly experienced in the areas of probate, succession and wills especially involving multi-jurisdictional assets and heritage tax issues.

Elaine advises on all aspects of residential property including purchase and sale, refinancing, restructuring, tenancies and landlord and tenant matters. Elaine has particular expertise in statutory lease extensions and freehold claims whether for an individual client or collectively with others. Elaine’s clients include wealthy individuals and families, banks, private rented sector (PRS), investors and developers.

Niri has a unique position in the reputation management space, assisting claimant individuals and companies, as well as defendants in the UK and US. He is especially noted for his depth of connection with the media and their lawyers, with whom he engages in a collaborative, nuanced and non-aggressive way to arrive at quiet conclusions to challenging matters that preserve clients' relationships with the media. He regularly advises on defamation, privacy and breach of confidence issues relating to high-profile newsworthy issues as well as clients involved in complex commercial or personal disputes with a reputation angle requiring particular strategic thinking and expertise.

Commenting on the accolades, Nick Warr said: "The private wealth sector is dynamic and fast paced and increasingly requires a platform which is strong in breadth and depth. I am proud of the successes the team have achieved and I am fortunate to be surrounded by experts with such deep knowledge. It is testament to the expertise, skill and multidisciplined spread of the team that four of us have been listed."

Ronald Graham, partner and Head of the Private Wealth sector group in the UK added: “Our reputation for advice in both the Private Wealth and Private client sector is long-established and both groups continue to go from strength to strength. This has resulted in a client base which comprises both sophisticated high net worth individuals and family offices with often complex and international legal requirements. All four of my colleagues have great experience in handling such matters and I extend my congratulations to them."