Helen Clarke

Helen is a trusted adviser to a sophisticated and globally agile client base of high net worth and ultra-high net worth individuals, families, and family offices. Her clients include entrepreneurs, business owners, private equity principals, trustees, royalty and high-profile sports and media personalities.

Clients are regularly introduced to Helen by wealth managers and other high profile professional intermediaries who value her expertise and client focus. She is trusted to lead sensitive negotiations and manage complex family dynamics with discretion.  

A high proportion of Helen’s clients have significant non-UK assets or are based overseas, with strong representation from the Middle East, the US, Monaco, Singapore, and Europe and face complex, multi-jurisdictional challenges. Helen is well versed in designing bespoke succession plans, navigation of forced heirship regimes, domicile strategy, the application of EU Succession Regulations and coordinating with foreign counsel to align legal strategies across borders.

Much of Helen’s work involves complex international structures, including trusts, usufructs, and bespoke holding arrangements, across multiple jurisdictions and seamless integration of corporate structures. 

Advising on business wealth succession and related tax planning is a particular focus for Helen who leads the firm’s national Business Wealth Special Interest Group.  Helen works closely with the corporate team at Irwin Mitchell to offer a comprehensive approach that enables us to offer business wealth generators and other high and ultra- high net-worth clients an effective solution, including family investment companies and other structures that addresses their multifaceted needs. The teams coordinate their advice to provide detailed advice and structures for the purpose of succession planning and asset protection, to protect both personal and business assets and considering next generation planning and long-term stewardship of family and business wealth.  

She is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) including being part of the STEP Business Families Global Special Interest Group and STEP Cross Border Estates Global Special Interest Group. Helen has contributed to the Law Society’s Inheritance Tax Planning Handbook on alternative structuring vehicles in estate planning and estate planning for owner managed businesses. 

Testimonials

Helen is recognised in Legal 500, Chambers and Spears and is commended for her peerless technical expertise with a commitment to helping clients understand complex themes in an approachable and palatable manner. She is noted as "…always very responsive and rapid. She's completely professional - up to speed with what's going on - a trusted, clear communicator, brilliant and top-notch."

Ranked in Chambers High Net Worth 2025  
Spear’s 500 Recommended Tax Lawyer 2025

Shortlisted by Spear’s 500 in lawyer of the year category 2025

“Helen’s understanding of the needs and sensitivities of high-net-worth clients is second to none. She brings clarity to complexity, navigating reforms and regulatory shifts with precision, empathy, and foresight. Whether guiding business owners through generational transitions or structuring cross-border wealth efficiently, she consistently demonstrates why she is market-leading.” Wealth Manager testimonial, 2025

"An extremely accomplished and experienced practitioner in tax trusts and estates. She gets to the heart of the issue and provides sound advice to her international client base of UHNW. Really refreshing to see Helen developing the practice and getting the recognition she truly deserves." - Legal 500, 2023

"Helen Clarke is an excellent technician, very personable and always tries to go above and beyond." – Legal 500, 2021

The firm regularly advises high net worth clients in London and also has a significant presence nationally. A private wealth source notes that the firm is "excellent." - Chambers & Partners, 2021
 

Publications

Helen has contributed to the Law Society’s Inheritance Tax Planning Handbook on alternative structuring vehicles in estate planning and estate planning for owner managed businesses.

Helen regularly contributes to thought leadership articles and events and comments in the press.