NEW BIRMINGHAM OFFICE MANAGING PARTNER FOR SQUIRE PATTON BOGGS

years. I am looking forward to working with new and familiar colleagues on the next phase of the firm’s growth and development as one of the region’s premier practices.”

Jonathan Jones, European managing partner, said: “Charlie has led the Birmingham office with distinction, and I would like to thank him for all that he has done in the role. The office has achieved its best-ever performance to date this year, and we have ambitious plans to continue on this growth trajectory.”

Squire Patton Boggs welcomes Tom Durrant, the former national head of Gateley’s Corporate practice, as the new managing partner of its Birmingham office. Mr. Durrant, who arrives today, succeeds Charlie Frost, who will become general counsel for the firm’s UK LLP from 1 May 2023.

The move marks a return to Squire Patton Boggs for Mr. Durrant, who qualified at the firm over 20 years ago. A highly regarded corporate

M&A and private equity lawyer, Mr. Durrant will play a key role in the ongoing expansion of the firm’s UK and international cross-border corporate and private equity transactional work.

“I am excited to return to Squire Patton Boggs, a global law firm with a strong regional heritage and a collaborative, dynamic and entrepreneurial culture,” commented Mr. Durrant. “The firm has an impressive pedigree in the Midlands and has enjoyed rapid growth in recent

“I have been proud to serve as managing partner in Birmingham. To lead such a talented team that has achieved so much in the region, and as an integral office within our global network, has been a privilege,” added Mr. Frost. “Tom’s track record in leadership and business development will be extremely valuable in helping to position our office for its next stage of growth and we are delighted to welcome him on board.”

Midlands Corporate partner Geoff Perry said: “Tom is a respected and talented private equity lawyer, well known to our team and within the corporate market. His arrival comes on the back of increased client demand and we have ambitious plans to continue to grow the team in the coming year.”

Solicitor Urges Couples To Consider Life Interest Trusts

deaths of The Wanted’s Tom Parker and actress Helen McCrory left their partners, Kelsey Parker and Damien Lewis, widowed aged 32 and 50 respectively, and again receiving a flurry of inches in gossip columns at the point they are seen to be dating again.

An expert private client solicitor from Birmingham law firm Shakespeare Martineau is urging couples to protect their wealth for future generations after recent high-profile deaths have shone a spotlight on young widows and widowers.

According to the Office for National Statistics’ latest figures, there were an estimated 3.1 million widows in England and Wales in 2020 – just 1.7% of those were below the age of 50.

Despite making up a small percentage of the UK population, young widows have been the subject of media attention in recent years after the early

Solicitor Kathleen Ryan, of law firm Shakespeare Martineau, said: “Losing a loved one at any life-stage is incredibly difficult. However, the sudden death of a partner at a young age can be particularly challenging, especially if children are involved in the bereavement.

“When a partner dies young, a widow moving on, forming new bonds and loving again is almost inevitable and it should not be frowned upon. As a result, protecting your assets for your children and still allowing your surviving spouse or partner to benefit from them while they are alive has become a common issue for modern families where there are potential second marriages and stepchildren.”

According to Child Bereavement UK, a parent of children under 18 dies every 22 minutes in the UK – around 23,600 a year. To protect your family’s wealth for future generations – especially in the event of a subsequent marriage – Shakespeare Martineau suggests writing a life interest trust into your will.

Kathleen said: “Ultimately, this legal entity allows your estate, which can include your home, to be placed within the trust for the benefit of a named individual – usually a surviving spouse. Upon their death, the asset then passes to the ultimate beneficiaries specified within your will – typically your children.

“Most commonly, a life interest trust is set up in the wills of couples concerned about their partner re-marrying, co-habiting or entering into a civil partnership after they have passed away. Without one, if your estate is left outright to your surviving partner, there is a risk the property could end up in the hands of any future spouse. A life interest trust ensures your property’s ultimate destination – giving your widow the security of having a home to live in during their lifetime, while ring-fencing the underlying capital for your children.”