Senior Partner & Head of Private Client
Chris Daynes
Chris is the firm’s Senior Partner and oversees the Private Client team.
Private Client
Michael Hepburn
Associate
Michael is an Associate in our Private Client team, specialising in wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, trusts and estate planning. With a strong focus on delivering clarity and practical guidance, he supports clients with a caring, friendly, and approachable service, helping them navigate complex legal issues with confidence and reassurance.
What sets Michael apart is his ability to combine friendly professionalism with a genuinely personable style. By building strong relationships with his clients, he ensures they feel supported and confident throughout even the most intricate or sensitive legal matters.
“I genuinely enjoy working closely with people and value the trust my clients place in me when advising on their futures and the care of the next generation.”
Michael’s approach is all about understanding your needs, making legal jargon accessible, and providing actionable advice tailored to your specific situation.
Experience
Michael brings five years’ experience with the firm advising high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals. He regularly acts for clients with sophisticated personal and financial circumstances, including those in the public eye, business owners, and clients with international connections. Highlights of Michael’s experience include:
- Advising high-profile and high-net-worth individuals on succession and estate planning involving royalty-generating and other income-producing assets, ensuring these are structured to pass appropriately on death
- Supporting business owners with tax-efficient estate and succession planning to preserve wealth and protect family interests across generations
- Advising clients with international connections by coordinating with foreign advisers and ensuring their UK Wills and estate planning arrangements are robust, clear, and aligned with overseas advice and tax considerations
Memberships & Accreditations
Michael is an accredited member of STEP and is currently working towards full STEP qualification.
Beyond the Law
If Michael wasn’t an Associate, he would be a translator. He enjoys learning languages, understanding different cultures, and the challenge of thinking on his feet — all of which mirror his adaptable, people-focused approach to legal advice.
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Michael’s specialisms
Trusts
01Advising on the most appropriate structure together with the creation, management and winding up of trusts
Wills
02Assisting clients in identifying suitable structures for their Wills, advising on key decisions and incorporating effective estate and inheritance tax planning throughout the process.
Lasting Powers of Attorney
03Helping clients select appropriate primary and replacement attorneys, advising on when their powers should take effect, and guiding decisions about who should be appointed to make end–of-life decisions.
Estate and Inheritance Tax Planning
04Advising clients on lifetime gifting strategies and estate planning, including analysing inheritance tax mitigation techniques, and identifying potential pitfalls to ensure effective tax efficiency
Your team
Meet the experts
Partner & Head of Private Wealth Disputes
Gabriel Grant
Gabriel is a Partner and head of the Private Wealth Disputes department at Streathers Daynes Smith.
Consultant
Felix Appelbe
Felix Appelbe is a Consultant with Streathers, bringing more than five decades of legal experience to clients across a remarkably broad range of matters.
Paralegal
Lucy Bekheit
Lucy is a Paralegal within our Property and Private Client teams, specialising in residential conveyancing, probate, and estate planning.
Solicitor
Roger Boustred
Roger Boustred is a solicitor in our private client team, specialising in Wills, lasting powers of attorney, probate and trust work.
Solicitor
Charlotte Cossey
Charlotte Cossey is a Solicitor in our Private Client team, specialising in estate administration, wills, trusts, estate planning, and contentious private client matters.
Senior Associate
Blair Gould
Blair is a highly experienced Private Client Senior Associate with over 20 years' experience advising individuals and families on wills, probate, estate planning, trusts and elderly client matters.
Paralegal
Jessica Jakhu Milton
Jess is a paralegal in our private client team, specialising in wills, probate, and property disposals arising from estate administration.
Paralegal
Giaan Lange
Giaan Lange is a paralegal in our Islington Private Client team, specialising in probate and estate administration, including complex and multi-jurisdictional matters, as well as providing support in estate and trust disputes.
Associate
Max Loble
Max is an Associate working across our Property and Private Client teams, with extensive experience in both areas.
Senior Associate
Elizabeth Manchester
Elizabeth is a Senior Associate in our Private Client team, specialising in probate and Court of Protection work.
Senior Paralegal
Emilija Mikutyte
Emilija Mikutyte is a dedicated paralegal in the Highgate Private Client team at Streathers Daynes Smith, specialising in probate matters with over six years of experience navigating various legal challenges.
Trainee Solicitor
Himani Pandya
Himani Pandya is a Trainee Solicitor in our Private Client team.
Senior Associate
Jacalyn Rosenfeld
Jacalyn Rosenfeld is a Senior Probate solicitor in our Private Client team, specialising in estate administration and complex probate matters
Solicitor
Claire Splawn
Claire is a Solicitor in our Private Client team, specialising in Probate, Cross Border Estates, Wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Trusts.
Paralegal
Lily Virtue
Lily is a paralegal in our Private Client team, specialising in wills, Lasting Powers of Attorney, and Probate.
Trainee Solicitor
Kate White
Kate White is a Trainee Solicitor in our Contentious Probate team, specialising in Trust and Estate disputes.
Trainee Solicitor
Hannah Whiterow
Hannah is a second year Trainee Solicitor. As part of her Training Contract, she has completed seats in Private Client and Family Law, and will go onto sit in Litigation and Commercial Property.
Solicitor
Arran Wilkinson
Arran Wilkinson is a solicitor in our Contentious Probate team, specialising in Trust and Estates Disputes.
