Wedlake Bell welcomes 2024 with two strategic partner additions

In a significant move signaling its commitment to expansion, City-based law firm Wedlake Bell has welcomed two new partners, Esther Gunaratnam and Sanjvee Shah, to its Intellectual Property (IP) and Commercial, and Private Client teams in February 2024. The strategic hires come as part of the firm's continued focus on growth, with five lateral hires, six internal promotions to partnership, and a notable 15% revenue growth in the preceding year. The announcement follows Camilla Wallace's appointment as the firm's Senior Partner in late 2023.

Esther Gunaratnam, formerly a Partner at Laytons, brings her expertise to Wedlake Bell's commercial team. Her practice encompasses all facets of IP, with a specific emphasis on brand protection, exploitation, and broader commercial IP issues. Gunaratnam's portfolio also extends to IT and Data Protection, with a keen interest in the technology and engineering sectors. Head of IP, Michael Gardner, anticipates Gunaratnam's contribution to be pivotal in expanding the technology and commercial practice, emphasizing the strategic importance of these areas for the firm in 2024.

Gunaratnam expressed her enthusiasm about joining Wedlake Bell during a period of exciting growth, emphasizing her eagerness to contribute to the firm's narrative.

Sanjvee Shah, previously a Partner at Taylor Wessing for over a decade, joins Wedlake Bell's Private Client team, comprising 20 partners. With a focus on ultra-high net worth individuals and families, Shah specializes in complex tax, estate planning, and succession planning matters, particularly those with cross-border implications. Her practice extends to advising family offices and trustees on governance, trust administration, and UK tax and succession planning aspects. Shah's international practice aligns with clients having connections to the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and the US.

Head of Private Client, Caroline Miller, welcomes Shah's arrival, highlighting her wealth of knowledge and experience in intricate and multi-jurisdictional tax and estate planning. Shah expresses her excitement about joining the esteemed Private Client team and looks forward to collaborating with colleagues across various legal domains to address the needs of ultra-high net worth clients, family offices, and trustees.

Wedlake Bell's strategic approach to lateral hires reflects its commitment to bolstering key practice areas and ensuring a robust and diverse set of skills to cater to the evolving needs of its clientele. The new additions further solidify the firm's position as it continues to navigate growth and expansion in the legal landscape.