Sheffield-based law firm Wake Smith Solicitors has launched a new will, trust and inheritance disputes team with the appointment of solicitor John Breeze.
Breeze (pictured, right), an experienced litigator and contentious probate solicitor, will lead the team, which has been created to formalise the support offered to individuals and professionals on disputes around inheritance, wills and trusts.
He has worked at a South Yorkshire law firms since 2005 and will be joined at Wake Smith by his teammate of almost a decade, experienced paralegal Rachel Valentine (pictured, left).
Breeze is a member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS) and the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). Valentine has a background in family law and more than 10 years of experience in contentious trusts and probate.
The main bulk of the newly established team’s workload will involve high-value Inheritance Act claims, will validity challenges, financial abuse and contentious attorney matters, and professional negligence claims against solicitors.
In addition, the team will advise and act on complex claims arising from the administration of estates and trusts.
Breeze, director and head of will, trust and inheritance disputes at Wake Smith, said: “There are only a small number of established firms which attract this type of work, and this will be a niche department specialising in disputes.
“This is an exciting challenge for us. We want to resolve disputes and represent clients sensibly, at what is often a very sensitive and emotional time around a bereavement, and to push our reputation, and standing, as experts in this growing sector.
“I have always had a high regard for Wake Smith as a long-standing law firm with its roots firmly in the city. This is a forward thinking move by the company.”
Liz Shaw, head of litigation at Wake Smith, commented: “This move is part of exciting expansion plans for the firm. The new team will complement Wake Smith’s already strong, and growing, private client department, and also align with its very capable litigation team.”
Image source: Wake Smith Solicitors
