Shakespeare Martineau strengthens Sheffield team

Law firm Shakespeare Martineau has appointed Kate Saunders as legal director, strengthening its trusts and estates disputes team in Sheffield.

Kate brings more than ten years’ specialist experience in contentious probate, advising clients on complex and sensitive estate and trust disputes.

She joins from Flint Bishop, where she was a senior associate in the contentious probate team following its acquisition of Lupton Fawcett in 2025.

Kate’s expertise spans inheritance claims, challenges to wills, executor and beneficiary disputes, trust disputes and professional negligence relating to will drafting.

She also advises on proprietary and promissory estoppel claims and contested Court of Protection matters.

Based in Sheffield, Kate is a full member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists and belongs to several contentious probate networks across the region.

Kate said: “I’m really pleased to be joining Shakespeare Martineau at a time when the team is growing its presence in Sheffield and across the region. 

“Disputes involving estates and trusts are often complex, both legally and personally, particularly where family relationships, significant assets or questions about intentions are involved.  

“The firm’s established reputation in this area, together with the breadth of expertise within the wider trusts and estates disputes team, makes it an exciting environment in which to continue developing my practice. 

“I’m looking forward to bringing my experience to the team and working with colleagues to build on its continued success.” 

Debra Burton, partner, trusts and estates disputes at Shakespeare Martineau, added: “Kate brings significant specialist experience to our trusts and estates disputes team and further strengthens our offering in Sheffield and Yorkshire. 

“Her expertise in contentious probate will be a valuable addition to the team as we continue to grow our presence both in the region and nationally and support clients with complex and sensitive trust and estate disputes.” 

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