Nick is qualified as a lawyer in England and Wales, the Cayman Islands, British Columbia and Ontario; and has played a key role in litigation in the Cayman Islands, Jersey, Guernsey, the Isle of Man, British Virgin Islands, Singapore, Switzerland, Canada and the United States. A Canadian expatriate in London, Nick often advises Canadian individuals and institutions on matters of UK law either himself or where appropriate in conjunction with other members of McDermott’s prestigious private wealth or tax teams.

Nick is co-Chair of the annual highly respected ALM/LegalWeek Global Elite International Trusts and Estates Forum. He chaired the International Trust & Private Client: Isle of Man conferences in 2017 and 2018. He was chair of the Private Client Summer School program held at Cambridge University in 2018 and 2019. He is often asked to speak on International trusts disputes and has done so in amongst other places New York, the Cayman Islands, Bermuda, Toronto, Chicago, New York, Jersey, Guernsey, Provence, the Isle of Man, Singapore, Hong Kong and the United Arab Emirates. He sits on the Consulting Editorial Board for LexisPrivateClient PSL. He is a co-author of “Contentious Trust Matters in the United Kingdom and Offshore Jurisdictions” in International Estate Planning. (New York: LexisNexis, 2019)

Nick is recognised as leading lawyer in the world’s most eminent legal guides and directories including Chambers High Net Worth, Chambers UK, and Legal 500. CityWealth ranked him as one of the top 100 trust litigators internationally in 2020.

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• Advised trustees in various proceedings in connection with allegations that the trust funds were held to bribe foreign officials and directors of sovereign wealth funds.
• Advised executors and beneficiaries in connection with hostile estate proceedings.

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• Chambers Global, 2012–2017. “Nick is especially highly regarded for his contentious trusts practice.” According to a source, “He has very good skills with clients – he is very practical and likeable, and has a sharp brain on him”
• Chambers UK, 2012–2020. “He understands what motivates people in litigation and how to deal with competing priorities,” sources say, adding: “He manages to sift through reams of correspondence and witness statements, can explain what each one is saying in a nutshell and then cut to the chase. He can see the real picture and work out a way forward”; Another Chambers UK edition states “[Nick] advises individuals and professional trustees on complex cases. Sources single him out for “his efficiency and his knowledge,” adding “He is relaxed; he is a litigator, but he’s extremely easy to work with. He is also practical in not trying to force things down the court route.” Nick is described as “the most engaging person and a charming man, but can back that up with the necessary technical expertise”. “Chambers noted that Nick was a lawyer whose considerable strength in trust disputes is noted through the market. Sources comment: “He is bright, affable and very good with clients, making them feel at ease”
• The Legal 500 UK, 2012–2023. “Nick is one of the standout leaders in this field, both in London and internationally. He has immense knowledge and experience of trusts litigation in England, Canada and the main Caribbean and Channel Islands jurisdictions. This enables Nick to find creative solutions. He is committed and enthusiastic and his clients find themselves well cared for.” “[Nick] is very thorough, bright, capable and always sees the bigger picture”. “One of the very best contentious trusts lawyers in London”. Noted as “a good litigator with superb instincts, and an excellent team manager in heavy litigation’. Nick is “…praised for his experience offshore in Cayman.”
• Citywealth, “He would be one of the first lawyers I would contact in respect of trust dispute related matters…” and is “…a force to be reckoned with”
• Who’s Who Legal
• Citywealth Leaders List, 2018–2020
• Citywealth, Top 100 Trust Litigators internationally

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