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Overview
Melissa Ellis is a Legal Director in the Private Client team, advising high net worth UK and international individuals, families and trustees on complex private wealth matters. Her practice focuses on tax planning, trusts, estate and succession planning, helping clients preserve and transfer wealth efficiently across generations. Melissa also has significant experience advising on tax residence issues, including the application of the UK Statutory Residence Test. Melissa is recognised for delivering clear, practical advice tailored to the needs of individuals, trustees and family offices with UK and cross-border interests.
Expertise
Melissa’s expertise includes:
- Private Wealth Tax Planning
- Trusts & Wealth Structuring
- Estate Planning
- Succession Planning for Families
- Tax Residence Advice
- International Private Client Matters
Qualifications & Accreditations
Melissa studied Russian and French at the University of Edinburgh. She qualified as a solicitor in October 2012, joined Payne Hicks Beach in 2015 was promoted to Senior Associate in 2019 and was promoted to Legal Director in 2024.
Awards & Accolades
Melissa won a Silver Award for the “Lawyer of the Year – Associate” category at the Citywealth Future Leaders Awards 2019. The awards highlight the emerging future leaders in the wealth management sector.
