Partner Article

Gardner Leader solicitors hires to grow charity practice

Gardner Leader, a leading solicitors in the South East, has hired a specialist in inheritance protection and charity law to strengthen its private client division and grow its charity arm.

Penny Wright, who was raised in Newbury, will join as senior associate, bringing 15 years experience to the Inheritance protection team and a wealth of knowledge and contacts in the charity sector.

Prior to joining Gardner Leader, Penny worked for several of the UK’s leading, large law firms in Southampton and Reading before deciding to come back to her roots in Newbury where she first worked for 12 years after qualifying as a solicitor in 1999. She will work from the Newbury office but will liaise with teams in Maidenhead and Thatcham.

Penny is a member of STEP, the association for those advising families across generations, the Charity Law Association, and is also a qualified member of the Law Society Private Client Section. She specialises in all areas of private client work such as trusts, wills, probate, inheritance tax planning, mental capacity issues and powers of attorney. She is also a leading authority in charity law, which includes advising on philanthropy, setting up new charities, advising charity trustees on their duties and liabilities, dealing with permanent endowments, mergers, and governance and constitutional matters.

“It’s great to be back working in my home town, Newbury, and also to be part of a firm that really values its clients and staff,” said Penny Wright, senior associate at Gardner Leader. “Gardner Leader places huge emphasis on delivering a great client experience whilst enjoying the work we do. The firm has a fresh outlook which makes it stand out from the rest.

“ It’s a joy to be part of the team and to continue to provide advice in both estate planning and charity law. My priority is to give my clients peace of mind, by providing the best legal structure and advice to avoid problems arising in future. Every client has different priorities and concerns, which makes it interesting and I enjoy the challenge of keeping up with the constantly changing laws, especially tax rules!“

Derek Rodgers, Managing Partner of Gardner Leader, added “We’re delighted to have Penny with us. The firm is growing fast so her experience will strengthen the inheritance protection team whilst her unique specialism in charity law will support as we continue to service an expanding charity clientele.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Verity Blake .