Kate advises domestic and international clients on personal tax, trust, estate planning and succession issues. Her clients include individuals, trustees and charities often with multi-jurisdictional assets owned via complex trust and corporate structures. She works closely with her clients and their advisors to mitigate tax and plan for the future.
Kate has particular experience advising on planning for exiting family businesses, charitable foundation formation, succession and legacy planning for artists, onshore and offshore tax planning and trust structuring, and planning for moving to or returning to the UK. Kate also frequently advises clients with charitable or valuable art interests.
Experience
Advising family shareholders on tax and estate planning in advance of the sale of the family business.
Advising on the formation and administration of charities as charitable incorporated organisations, companies limited by guarantee or trusts.
Drafting wills for testators with overseas assets.
Advising on cross-border succession planning for clients with assets, business interests and charitable interests in multiple jurisdictions.
UK tax and remittance planning for individuals moving to or returning to the UK.
Advising trustees and family members of large and diverse landed estates on trust law issues, succession planning and tax planning.
Endorsements
Kate is a STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) member, having obtained a distinction in her exams.
Kate has won awards throughout her career, including eprivateclient’s Top 35 Under 35, Tax and Estate Planning Lawyer of the Year in the Women in Law Awards, and Citywealth’s Lawyer of the Year (Senior/Managing Associate). Kate has also been named in Citywealth’s Top 100 Private Client Lawyers and in The Legal 500 as a key lawyer for Personal Tax, Trusts and Probate.
Testimonials
Kate provides a superb level of service and delivery of advice for clients, with expertise across a wide range of areas.
Chambers High Net Worth Guide, 2026
Kate is super to work with. She understands client needs and is empathetic.
Chambers High Net Worth Guide, 2026
Kate has exceptional technical expertise, a consistently proactive approach and a genuine commitment to client service. Kate stands out for her ability to anticipate client needs, communicate complex legal concepts in a clear and accessible manner, and deliver practical, tailored solutions even in the most challenging situations.
Chambers High Net Worth Guide, 2026
Prompt action is something that is an outstanding aspect of dealing with Wedlake Bell.
Client Quote, 2026
Kate Johnson is extraordinary. Her insight brings order to chaos, promptly recognising the practical impact of complex rules. She inspires confidence.
Legal 500, 2024
Kate Johnson has an equally keen mind, designing succession and managing global projects. She is a pitch-perfect point person among clients and multiple advisors.
Legal 500, 2023
Kate's insights
In Trust
Jul 30, 2026
Wealth and philanthropy: the role of giving in family wealth planning
For many high-net-worth individuals, philanthropy is increasingly becoming an integral part of wealth planning. Families are looking beyond tax mitigation and one-off donations, and moving towards a more strategic approach, to consider how their family values align with their charitable
Partner and Senior Manager author article on Zakat, trusts and UK tax
This article explores how Zakat, as a core charitable obligation in Islam, interacts with UK tax rules, trusts and modern wealth planning structures. While Zakat has clear religious principles, requiring a 2.5% annual contribution from qualifying wealth, its treatment under
Partner and Senior Associate co-author article on IHT cap for excluded property trusts
The article explores the significant changes to the taxation of trusts that took effect from April 2025, including the move to a residence‑based inheritance tax regime. While the introduction of a £5m cap on relevant property charges offers some relief
