Top Rankings and Team Expansion for Freeths’ Highly Regarded Oxfordshire Private Client Practice

Following the success of Freeths’ trusts, estates and tax lawyers securing a Tier 1 ranking in the UK’s leading legal directory, Chambers & Partners High Net Worth Guide 2021 edition, the highly regarded private client practice is delighted to have appointed two new recruits to meet increasing demand for private wealth legal advice.

Chambers & Partners has again acknowledged lawyers within the trusts, estates and tax team at Freeths as some of the UK’s expert advisers to high-net-worth individuals. The leading annual guide identifies the best professional advisers to the private wealth market in Oxford and the surrounding area. The rankings are based on client feedback from in-depth interviews and an analysis of the market. As a reflection of this success, Freeths have further enhanced the Trusts, Estates and Tax team, with the appointment of two new lawyers into their brand new office in Oxford. 

Richard Biddle has joined as an Associate in the Trust, Estate and Tax team within Freeths Family Wealth Department based in Oxford. Richard joined the firm as a Chartered Legal Executive and a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and 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. 

Lisa Schiel has joined as a Managing Associate in the Trusts, Estates and Tax team based in the Oxford office. Lisa acts for a range of clients including individuals, executors, trustees, charities and local authorities. 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. 

Sarah Foster, joint national head of the practice client services division, said: “I’m delighted to welcome Richard and Lisa to the firm. Our private client practice securing Tier 1 ranking in Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2021 demonstrates our expertise in providing specialist legal advice to private individuals, which is why it is important that we enhance our skill-set and resource to continue to support our clients on the most complex legal issues. Recruiting Richard and Lisa will further complement our practice’s ability to advise clients on preserving their family wealth for generations to come.”