Our legal team

Matthew joined Rathbones in 2014, having previously worked closely with Rathbones for a number of years as a partner, with Julian Whately, of Rooper & Whately solicitors.  Matthew qualified as a solicitor in 1999 and has extensive experience of advising clients in relation to their Wills, probates, powers of attorney and trusts.  Matthew also advises clients, including a number of landed estates, on succession planning and the proper mitigation of inheritance tax and capital gains tax. 

Where appropriate, Matthew has taken on fiduciary roles for clients and their families – whether as an executor, attorney or trustee – and aims to carry out these roles responsibly and with sensitivity to the needs of the client’s circumstances, as required.

Christopher is a solicitor specialising in agricultural and residential property. He is also a qualified Chartered Surveyor and has extensive practical experience of the sale, purchase and management issues arising out of the ownership of residential property and landed estates for both private and institutional landowners. Prior to joining Rathbones, Christopher was a partner in Thrings solicitors and at Lee & Pembertons.

In addition to sales and purchases, Christopher also deals with secured lending, leases, easements, covenants, sporting rights, first registrations of title and other associated matters for both the rural and residential markets. In particular he deals with complex sales and purchases involving overage provisions, options, conditional contracts and exchanges of land.

Alexandra joined Rathbones in 2017, having previously been a senior associate in the Private Client team at Wedlake Bell LLP. Alexandra qualified as a solicitor in 2007, having trained at Mills & Reeve LLP.

Alexandra specialises in UK and offshore tax and trusts and is particularly experienced in: advising on and implementing tax-efficient strategies for both UK and non-UK domiciliaries; advising in relation to onshore and offshore trusts; trust drafting; succession planning including drafting complex wills; administering estates (including cross-border estates); and capacity issues / OPG applications.

She has experience of advising entrepreneurial clients, trustees and landed estates.   

Alexandra is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

Kerry qualified as a solicitor in 2013, having trained with a Surrey based Legal 500 Firm of solicitors, and joined Rathbones in 2014. She advises on Wills and estate planning, powers of attorney, probate and estate administration as well as trust matters.

Kerry is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

John joined Rathbones in 2010, having previously worked in both law and accountancy firms. He primarily deals with the taxation and administration of trusts (in some cases as one of the trustees) and also prepares personal tax returns.

John is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners.

Joining Rathbones in 2010, Brian has worked in law firms throughout his career and has over 45 years’ experience of dealing with probate and the administration of estates.

Amelia joined Rathbones in June 2019, having previously worked at Russell-Cooke LLP in their private client team. She qualified as a solicitor in 2016, having trained at a Legal 500 firm in Wiltshire.

Amelia advises on all aspects of private client law including drafting and advising on trusts, powers of attorney, succession planning including drafting complex wills, and estate administration.

She has a particular interest in art and achieved a distinction in her LLM in Art, Business and Law. 

Helen qualified as a solicitor in 2014 and joined Rathbones in November 2019, having previously practised at Howard Kennedy LLP and Farrer & Co.

She advises clients on tax and estate planning including preparing complex wills and drafting and advising on trusts.

Helen deals with the administration of high-value estates, including advising on multi-jurisdictional elements and post-death tax planning.

She has experience of acting for trustees and executors in court applications including for directions to resolve issues that arise in the course of administration and for the approval of variations to the terms of trusts on behalf of minor beneficiaries.

Helen prepares and advises on lasting powers of attorney and how best to meet the needs of more vulnerable family members. She also acts in relation to Court of Protection matters such as applications for the appointment of deputies and for the approval of statutory wills and lifetime gifts.