Biography
I'm a partner in the private client and high net worth and international tax team in London.
My practice includes advising on tax, trust and estate planning including cross border succession planning, and international probate. I also regularly assist family business owners, owner managers, and entrepreneurs to effectively structure their personal and business wealth to provide for their families and to reduce risk in the event of incapacity and death.
The scope of my work includes advising families in relation to wealth transfer planning across generations often involving the creation of structures such as family investment companies and hybrid structures involving the use of trusts.
I'm a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and hold the STEP advanced Certificate in Advising Family Businesses.
I was named as a key lawyer in the Legal 500 2023 and am listed in Spears 500 2023 as a recommended tax lawyer. I also contributed to the Law Society’s Inheritance Tax Planning Handbook as author of the chapters on ‘Alternative Structuring Vehicles’ and ‘Businesses and Lifetime Planning’.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your role?
It’s rewarding to ensure that hard earned assets are protected and structured to allow inter-generational wealth to be maintained.
The personal element of my role is very rewarding. I’ve built long standing relationships across multiple generations with individuals and their families and I provide support in what is often a stressful, emotional or difficult time.
What do you do away from the office?
I’m a proud mother of three children. I enjoy current affairs, taking advantage of the capital’s thriving cultural experiences, park runs and getting out and about with my dog.
Testimonials
"An extremely accomplished and experienced practitioner in tax trusts and estates. She gets to the heart of the issue and provides sound advice to her international client base of UHNW. Really refreshing to see Helen developing the practice and getting the recognition she truly deserves." - Legal 500, 2023
"Helen Clarke is an excellent technician, very personable and always tries to go above and beyond." – Legal 500, 2021
The firm regularly advises high net worth clients in London and also has a significant presence nationally. A private wealth source notes that the firm is "excellent." - Chambers & Partners, 2021
Publications
I have contributed to the Law Society's new Inheritance Tax Planning Handbook (chapters on Alternative Structuring Vehicles and Lifetime Planning Options for Businesses). The handbook is edited by Irwin Mitchell's John Bunker, with contributions from colleagues across our Tax, Trusts and Estates, Corporate, and Wealth Management teams.