Biography
Sarah is a Partner in Irwin Mitchell’s Lifestyle and Estate Planning team. She trained with the firm and qualified in 2012. Sarah has a particular focus is helping individuals and their families with the legal and tax aspects of managing, protecting and passing on personal wealth. She advises on wills, trusts (both the setting up and the administration), tax planning, powers of attorney and estate administration. She has a particular interest in working with entrepreneurs and senior executives advising on tax planning and succession strategies in relation to their business wealth.
Sarah is a full member of STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) and has completed both the STEP Advanced Certificate in Advising the Family Business and the STEP Advanced Certified in Family Business Governance.
What inspired you to get into law?
I am passionate about providing excellent client service and very much enjoy meeting new people. I knew that a career in law, and specifically in personal legal services, would provide me with opportunities to engage with a variety of people and support them at potentially difficult times.
What do you like about working at Irwin Mitchell?
The depth and breadth of expertise at Irwin Mitchell across all service lines is incredible. It is inspirational to work alongside such excellent advisors.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your role?
Becoming a family's trusted advisor is such an honour and a privilege. I feel very lucky to work in a role that enables me to form long-lasting relationships with my clients, in many cases across multiple generations.
What do you do away from the office?
Outside of work I am a keen walker and frequently travel to the Lake District to tackle new fells. I also enjoy skiing, playing hockey and sewing. I have two young children now so spend a lot of my free time out and about exploring our local area with them.r.
Publications
"The EU Succession Regulation – The Answer for European Cross-Border Estates?" - The Solicitors Journal, July 2015, co-writer (on Brussels IV Regulation)
Co-Editor of the planned new edition of “Ray and McLaughlin’s Practical Inheritance Tax planning” (Bloomsbury Publishing) with IM colleague John Bunker, and main editor Mark McLaughlin. The book is available as part of the Bloomsbury Accounting and Tax Service.
Testimonials
‘We have worked predominantly with Sarah Paton. She has explained things very clearly and in ways we can easily understand.'
'Sarah Paton's standout qualities are her patience and her kindness. She has been very patient in what is quite a complicated situation and has always explained things to us in a way we can understand. She has also been incredibly kind and empathetic at a very difficult time in our family.’
‘Sarah Paton is very capable and knowledgeable. Would have no hesitation in recommending.’ - Legal 500, 2025 (Leading Associate)
"Sarah Paton is exceptional in my opinion and the main reason I remain with Irwin Mitchell. She was my first contact at Irwin Mitchell and I found her to be approachable, knowledgeable, efficient but above all she listened and was kind and understanding. After our first meeting later that same day Sarah went to visit my father in the hospice, which surpassed my expectation of any lawyer." - Legal 500, 2022
"I was referred to Irwin Mitchell to handle the probate process required to claim my late husband's estate assets held in England. The project was assigned to Sarah Patton. Sarah and her team expertly navigated the courts and the bureaucracy to secure the necessary grant of probate. Sarah's non-flinching poise and confidence of success were reassuring throughout the long and sometimes baffling process. I am very happy with the work they did on my behalf."- 5* Trustpilot review
"We found the personnel at Irwin Mitchell very understanding, approachable and professional in their approach." - 5* Trustpilot review
