New Leadership and Team Expansion for Freeths’ Highly Regarded Oxfordshire Private Client Practice

Nigel Roots and Jane Maitland who headed the team for over 15 years will still be very much part of the team and continue to provide great service and technical advice to new and existing clients.

Nigel says: ‘This is an exciting new chapter for the team. Louise and Lisa represent the next generation of lawyers and leaders, which is why we are delighted to have them execute the vision and future strategies of the Trusts, Estates, and Tax team. They are two immensely talented lawyers widely recognised by clients and other professionals for their expertise in the field of private client law.  I wish them every success and know the team is in the best possible hands going forward.’

Jane says: ‘We are fortunate to have Lisa and Louise, two excellent private client lawyers to take the team forward to the next stage of its development and I look forward to their future success.’

In other positive news for the team, Lisa Schiel, Katie Gotrel and Richard Biddle have joined the Trusts, Estates and Tax team in Oxford as Managing Associate, Senior Associate and Associate respectively.

Lisa Schiel joined the team as a Managing Associate. Lisa acts for a range of clients including individuals, executors, trustees, and charities . She advises on the administration of high value and complex estates (which often involve a cross-border element or unusual grant applications), wills, trusts, succession planning and powers of attorney. 

Katie Gotrel joined the firm as a Senior Associate. Katie has considerable experience looking after the affairs of clients and trustees, planning and managing all aspects of their finances and estates. She has advised people of all generations and backgrounds, from young couples just starting families to high net worth individuals, family business owners, recently divorced parents and older, vulnerable people. Katie advises on implementing practical estate plans to reduce inheritance tax and preserve wealth for individuals, couples and families, setting up trusts, advising on trust taxation and dealing with complex probate and estate administration matters.

Richard Biddle joined the firm as a Chartered Legal Executive and a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). Richard passed the STEP Advanced Will Preparation examination with a Distinction. Richard deals with the administration of all types of estates and the preparation of Deeds of Variation and has an interest in those estates that have assets in different jurisdictions. He also advises on the preparation of Wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney.

Sarah Foster, joint national head of Private Client Services, said: ‘I am delighted to see  Lisa Mark-Bell and Louise Lewis becoming the new  joint heads of the Oxford Trusts, Estates, and Tax team.  This represents an exciting new chapter for the firm. Recruiting Lisa, Katie and Richard will further complement our practice’s ability to advise clients on preserving their family wealth for generations to come.’