Wedlake Bell continues strategic growth with senior hire and partner promotions

Hetty brings more than 30 years’ experience advising high net worth and ultra‑high net worth individuals on complex family matters. Her practice spans all aspects of relationship breakdown, including divorce and separation, financial remedy proceedings, pre‑ and post‑nuptial agreements and disputes relating to children, frequently involving international elements.

In addition to her family law practice, Hetty has a highly regarded specialism in art and cultural property law, advising on disputes involving title, authenticity and ownership of valuable artworks and luxury assets, including their treatment following the breakdown of a marriage. She is consistently recognised by leading legal directories for her expertise across both disciplines.

Hetty’s arrival follows the recent hire of Rebecca Christie, who also joined the firm from Fladgate, further strengthening both the family and art and luxury offering and underlining Wedlake Bell’s focus on attracting senior lateral talent aligned with its client‑led, partner‑driven approach.

Alongside these senior appointments, the firm has also announced the promotion of Paul Ashcroft and Rachel Fitzgerald to the partnership, recognising their outstanding contribution and continued development within the firm.

Paul is a partner in Wedlake Bell’s Pensions & Employee Benefits team, where he advises trustees, employers, charities and private clients on the full spectrum of pensions and employee benefits matters, including governance, scheme strategy, liability management projects and disputes.

Rachel is a partner in the firm’s Property Litigation team, specialising in complex and high‑value real estate disputes. Her practice includes commercial landlord and tenant matters, vacant possession strategies, development‑related disputes and rights of light claims, acting for a broad range of corporate and private clients.

Commenting on the firm’s recent growth, Martin Arnold, Managing Partner, said:
“We are seeing real momentum across the firm, driven by a clear strategy around investing in people and developing our core practice areas. Hetty and Rebecca are both superb additions, and their arrivals demonstrate the calibre of lawyers choosing to build their practices at Wedlake Bell.
Paul and Rachel’s promotions are extremely well deserved. They exemplify the technical excellence, commercial judgement and collaborative approach that define our partnership, and we are delighted to welcome them as partners at this exciting time for the firm.”

Meet the team:

1. 

   • Hetty Gleave

   • Partner
   • Family & Divorce

   Visit Hetty's profile
2. 

   • Paul Ashcroft

   • Partner
   • Pensions & Employee Benefits

   Visit Paul's profile
3. 

   • Rachel FitzGerald

   • Partner
   • Property Litigation

   Visit Rachel's profile

View the whole team