Wake Smith private client director appointed

11th January 2017

Leading Sheffield solicitors Wake Smith have appointed Suzanne Porter as a director in its private client team.

Suzanne brings significant experience in wills, probate applications and estate administration, inheritance tax planning, elderly client issues, powers of attorney, and trusts. She also has many years' experience in dealing with licensing issues for clients across the region and will continue offering this expertise as a director at Wake Smith. Suzanne will work closely with the current head of the private client team, director Andrew Vidler, and will take over from him as head of the department with effect from May 2017. She said: -Wake Smith has an excellent name and reputation. I am delighted to join the firm. The private client team is exceptional Andrew has an excellent reputation and the team is technically brilliant. -I enjoyed my time at my previous firms, but I wanted to join a company where I could be more involved with the development of the firm and make a bigger difference. -The team I have joined is a growing department in a very dynamic and engaging firm, with a clear development plan, part of which is a coherent programme for succession. Andrew was equally enthusiastic about Suzanne's appointment. He said: -We are delighted that someone of Suzanne's calibre has chosen to join the company at this exciting time, as we continue to grow and improve our services to our clients. -Suzanne's experience, her passion for her job, and her business acumen and development skills, will make her an invaluable asset to both the private client team and the company as a whole. -I am very much looking forward to working with her and helping her to build on the strong foundations that have already been put in place in this department. Suzanne qualified as a solicitor in 2002 at Favell, Smith & Lawson in Sheffield before moving to Cockertons in Bakewell in 2007 and becoming a partner. The Derbyshire firm merged with Taylor & Emmett three years ago. Suzanne, as private client partner, was involved in the merger process and marketing the probate and private client department to raise the firm's profile. Away from her desk, Suzanne enjoys spending time meeting individuals and groups through public speaking engagements, talking about her private client specialisms, and over the years has developed excellent links and relationships with local communities.