Susan Glenholme

As managing partner, my role is to inspire the team at Debenhams Ottaway, nurturing our lawyers and business services teams so they feel supported, motivated and appreciated. In putting our people first, I’m confident that we will always provide the best legal advice and service to our clients. This approach is key to the continued success of Debenhams Ottaway.

I have a clear strategy dedicated to growth, and I constantly challenge myself and the leadership team here to drive the business forward from our base in Hertfordshire and our London presence.

I invest considerable time getting to know my clients so that I become their trusted adviser on all their legal challenges and opportunities, both at home and in business. I encourage everyone at Debenhams Ottaway to take a similar approach and am passionate about getting people to think about lawyers and law firms differently.

I believe it’s important to make time for others and listen more than you speak. Debenhams Ottaway is a place where your ideas are listened to and acted on: we do things differently.

I am often invited to be part of The Law Society’s Leadership and Management section’s panel events to talk about my different leadership style. This was recognised when I won Business Leader of the Year at the St Albans Chamber of Commerce Business Community Awards.

I am a solicitor and before becoming managing partner led the private wealth team and specialised in Wills, trusts and probate.

Expertise

With over 20 years’ experience, I have built long standing relationships with clients, including City professionals, generations of wealthy families, business owners, family offices and celebrities in Hertfordshire, London and across the UK. They trust me to look after them and they often ask me to be their executor, trustee or professional attorney.

We can help you and your family find creative legal solutions to protect and manage your wealth now and in the future. Working closely with your other professional advisers (such as financial planners, banks and accountants), we can help you to have more certainty and clarity for the future, at the same time as giving you the flexibility to deal with changes that life throws at you.

If you need legal advice on international personal, business or property assets, I can introduce you to lawyers in other jurisdictions through Eurojuris, an international legal network, who can help you understand their local legal market and culture.

I am recognised for my work in the leading legal directories, Chambers HNW and The Legal 500, and listed as one of the top private wealth lawyers based outside of London in Spear’s 500, a guide to the top professional advisers for high net worth individuals.

I studied Law at the University of Hertfordshire and completed the Legal Practice Course at the College of Law in Chester. I started at Debenhams Ottaway as a paralegal over 20 years ago, qualified in 2000, became a partner in 2005 and took on the role of managing partner in 2018.

Recommendations

“The private client team at Debenhams Ottaway is exceptional. I have known Susan Glenholme for 20 years; she has always provided fantastic service and advice to my clients and has built a great team around her, allowing the firm to grow and yet still maintain her high standards.” The Legal 500 2023

“Susan Glenholme is friendly, caring and approachable, but is also extremely knowledgeable. She is very practical in her approach. She is very well respected in the local business community and has built this reputation from her hard work and commitment to her clients. She also manages the whole private client team and the practice extremely well.” The Legal 500 2022

“Susan is one of the most charismatic people you could ever meet. Even in very difficult and trying circumstances she makes all parties feel at ease and facilitates constructive discussions. I would trust her with all aspects of my clients’ affairs.” Chambers HNW 2023

“Susan puts the client at ease, offers a very friendly approach, is very knowledgeable and cares enough to go the extra mile if required.” Chambers HNW 2022

“Very personable and professional. Susan helped us understand all the issues and possible risks pertaining to our situation. We are really happy with the wills!” Client

In Touch

Through membership of the Private Client Dining Club I have built strong relationships with other private wealth advisers so my clients have access to a wide network of support.

As joint head of the Eurojuris Private Wealth Practice Group, an international legal network, I am well connected with lawyers worldwide so I can help clients with international assets.

I am also a member of the Society of Trusts and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and the Private Client Section of the Law Society.