Wedlake Bell kicks off 2024 with two new partner hires

Esther Gunaratnam and Sanjvee Shah join the firm in February.

February 2024 — City firm Wedlake Bell has announced the arrival of two new partners into its IP and Commercial and Private Client teams. The firm continues to put growth at the top of its agenda having made five lateral hires, promoted six into the partnership, and enjoyed a 15% growth in revenue last year. Camilla Wallace was also named as Wedlake Bell’s new Senior Partner at the end of 2023.

Esther Gunaratnam joins the firm from Laytons where she was a Partner in the firm’s commercial team. She advises on all aspects of IP, with particular emphasis on brand protection and exploitation, and broad-based commercial IP issues. Gunaratnam also includes IT and Data Protection within her practice and has a specific interest in the technology and engineering sectors.

Head of IP, Michael Gardner commented: “Esther’s arrival at Wedlake Bell will be instrumental in the growth of our technology and commercial practice as well as providing invaluable expertise to our IP team. Esther’s skills lie at an ideal cross-section between these practices. Both areas are key strategic focuses for us in 2024 and we are delighted to be welcoming her into our growing team.”

Esther Gunaratnam said of her arrival: “I am delighted to be joining the team at Wedlake Bell. The firm is in such an exciting period of growth and I am looking forward to being a part of that story.”

Sanjvee Shah joins the 20 Partner strong Private Client team from Taylor Wessing, where she was a partner for over 10 years. Sanjvee advises ultra-high net worth individuals and families on complex tax, estate planning, and succession planning matters, often with cross-border aspects and where wealth protection more generally is a key objective. In addition, Sanjvee’s clients also include family offices and trustees who value her expertise on a range of governance and trust administration issues and UK tax and succession planning aspects. Sanjvee’s practice is very international as her clients often have connections to the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and the US.

Wedlake Bell’s Head of Private Clients, Caroline Miller said of Sanjvee’s arrival at the firm: “As Wedlake Bell continues to expand its private client offering, we are delighted to welcome Sanjvee to the team. She brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in intricate and multi-jurisdictional tax and estate planning for ultra-high-net-worth clients and will further strengthen the firm’s reputation in this area. Her experience sits right at the heart of what we do and increases the depth of our growing offshore practice.”

Sanjvee Shah followed: “I am thrilled to join the highly regarded Private Client team and am looking forward to working with my Private Client colleagues along with those in the Corporate, Real Estate, and Disputes teams to help and support ultra-high net worth clients, family offices and trustees with their legal needs. Wedlake Bell is committed to advising individuals and families and privately owned businesses. The depth of expertise across the board complements my practice very well and is an excellent platform to build strong, continuing relationships with clients.”

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