Lodders hires estate and tax planning specialist

Qualified barrister, tax, estate planning, wills and trusts specialist Alana Graham, has joined regional law firm Lodders in its top-ranking private client department.

A barrister for over 20-years, Alana has a wealth of tax and private client experience having worked for a number of national law firms and Inheritance Tax consultancies, and one of the UK’s big four accountancy firms, and regularly advises clients based around the world on tax, wills and trusts matters.

In Lodders top-ranking private client practice, she will advise on all tax related matters, and, as she retains her ‘rights of audience’, Alana will also utilise her advocacy skills to represent clients in all the courts.

“Alana combines an impressive breadth of knowledge with being able to represent clients in the tribunals and courts,” says Louise Igoe, head of Lodders’ private client department, which has a national reputation for excellence and top tier rankings from both Chambers guide to the UK Legal Profession and the Legal 500.

“For the private client department, Alana represents the addition of a tax expert, which not only strengthens our current offering, but will also contribute to the development of our estate and tax planning services in other areas .”

Commenting on joining Lodders, Alana, who holds a Bachelor of Arts (Combined Honours) Degree from McMaster University, Toronto, Canada and an LL.B. (Hons) Law degree from Brunel University, Uxbridge, England, says: “This is my ‘dream job’, as it combines tax issues and advice, with tax law, which has always been my first love.

“Over the years, I have advised individuals on tax, will, and trust matters, as well as challenging wills and trusts. Nowadays this type of work is primarily combined, and with my skills and passion I can offer clients completely holistic advice based on my many years of experience.”

Alana was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 1993, completed her pupillage in London, and represented the Defendant  and won the landmark case of Tod v Barton which was the first case on the Hague Convention. She has recently authored two chapters for Tolley’s on family investment companies and on the tax consequences of trading overseas.

Lodders’ successful and busy private client team advises clients on estate and tax planning, succession planning, wills, trusts, care and capacity issues and assisting with probate work.

Lodders is a premier law firm in Stratford upon Avon, Cheltenham, Birmingham and Henley in Arden. The firm has 26 partners and over 160 fee earners and support staff across its office network. With its portfolio of sector and market specific top-ranking legal teams, the firm has recorded year-on-year growth in recent years.  For more information: www.lodders.co.uk.