Louise Lewis

Louise is a Partner and National Head of the Trusts, Estates and Tax team. She is a highly regarded private client lawyer who advises on a broad range of matters relating to wealth structuring, succession planning and tax. Louise qualified in 2005 and joined the firm from Penningtons Manches Cooper in June 2019.

Louise advises clients on wills, trusts and estate administration, with particular expertise in supporting vulnerable clients and their families. She has extensive experience in establishing and administering trusts for disabled beneficiaries, and in advising on appropriate structures to protect and manage assets sensitively and effectively. Louise is known for her thoughtful and practical approach when working with clients who require additional support, ensuring that arrangements are robust while remaining tailored to individual circumstances.

Louise is a full member of STEP (TEP) and previously served as Deputy Chair of STEP’s Mental Capacity Special Interest Group between 2021 and 2023. She regularly speaks on issues affecting vulnerable clients and has presented for organisations including the Brain Injury Association and the Alzheimer’s Society. In 2020, she completed the advanced STEP certificate in advising vulnerable clients, receiving a distinction, and she is a Dementia Friend.

In addition, Louise is a member of the firm’s private wealth initiative and advises business owners and entrepreneurs on succession and estate planning at all stages of the business lifecycle. Her work includes advising on tax-efficient structures for start-ups and partnerships, planning for exits, the interaction of wills with corporate structures, and the use of trusts in holding business assets. She also advises on the administration of estates that include business interests, including the availability of relevant tax reliefs.

Louise has considerable experience in advising international clients and works on residence and domicile issues, as well as cross-border estate and succession planning. In June 2023, she completed the advanced STEP certificate in UK tax for international clients, receiving a distinction.