Private client

Philanthropy law

Philanthropy law

We work with individual philanthropists, families and businesses who want to use their wealth to help others and create a better world. We can assist you to structure your charitable giving in line with your values and support the causes you care about. This might mean creating your own foundation, donating to a particular cause or an existing charity, or leaving a legacy in your Will.

Individual giving

If you would like to establish a family foundation or other philanthropic structure, we can guide you through the process of setting up and running a charity, either during your life or as part of estate planning. We can also help you ensure that your giving is tax-efficient, and advise on other options for philanthropy, such as donor advised funds.

Corporate social responsibility

We are also proud to advise family businesses on their corporate social responsibility programmes and charitable giving, and work with leading companies that have established, or wish to establish, a corporate foundation. We can advise on Charity Commission registration, day-to-day operations, governance and ensuring that the relationship between your company and foundation meets all legal and regulatory requirements.

Our team

Giving to charity is increasingly important to many of our clients and we take time to listen, so we can provide advice that is fully tailored to you. Our approach is informed by our deep understanding of the charity sector and years of experience helping clients achieve the most impact with their giving. Our nationally recognised charity team is highly rated in The Legal 500 (2022) which states that Russell-Cooke "provides service beyond normal legal advice – coordination for complex projects involving multiple advisors and useful strategic insights."

In tandem, our private client and family office specialists offer clear, practical advice on everything from Wills and inheritance issues, asset protection through trusts, loss of mental capacity and all tax advice. With an empathetic approach to helping individuals and families make informed decisions, we provide seamless access to the specialist advice you need. We can help you to maximise the opportunity to use your wealth to do good, through effective estate, tax and succession planning, both during your lifetime and to shape the legacy you leave behind. The Legal 500 (2021) says our private client team’s “advice is easy to understand and yet very sophisticated”.

Get in touch

If you would like to speak with a member of the team you can contact our philanthropy law solicitors by email, by telephone on +44 (0)20 3826 7510 or complete our enquiry form below.

Related insights

The latest news and insights from our private client team

News

06.12.2023

LPAs—stepping into the digital age with changes afoot

Associate Olivia Llewellyn discusses the changes to making Lasting Powers of Attorney ahead of the introduction of The Powers of Attorney...
Olivia Llewellyn, Associate in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, private client team.
Olivia Llewellyn
2 min Read
News

28.11.2023

Five things not to put in a will—Money Week

Partner Kieran Bowe has appeared in an article in Money Week, providing valuable insights into what should be excluded from a will, such as sensitive information...
Kieran Bowe, Partner in the Russell-Cooke Solicitors, private client team.
Kieran Bowe
1 min Read
News

23.11.2023

The Autumn Statement and your money—Financial Times

Partner James Cook has been quoted in article from eprivate client uncovering the potential impacts of the Autumn Statement 2023 on the private wealth sector...
Russell-Cooke private client partner
James Cook
1 min Read
View all News & Insights