A UK based law firm has made a flurry of hires to its national will, trust & estate disputes team.

Law firm Irwin Mitchell Private Wealth has appointed two senior associates and one associate to its national will, trust & estate disputes team.

Senior associate Nazia Nawaz will join the Leeds office, associate Kelly Wharin will join the Sheffield team and Stephen Ireland joins the Chichester office as a senior associate, the firm said in a statement.

Nawaz will handle complex disputes between executors and trustees, contested wills and proprietary estoppel cases as well as disputes involving financial abuse and maladministration.

Wharin started her legal career at HLW Keeble Hawson in 2005. She previously worked in insolvency disputes and commercial litigation. She is currently working towards becoming a member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS).

Ireland has experience in contentious wills, probate matters as well as wider background knowledge in employment, residential and civil disputes. He is also a member of the Association of Contentious Trust and Probate Specialists (ACTAPS).

“Our three recent associate and senior associate hires are testament to the recent success of Irwin Mitchell Private Wealth and we are delighted to be attracting new talent as well as experienced hands,” said Paula Myers, national head of will, trust & estate disputes. “With Nazia, Kelly and Stephen’s varied backgrounds in wider areas of litigation, we’ll have even more resources to find innovative solutions for our clients.

Myers added: “The expertise that Nazia, Kelly and Stephen bring to the team highlights our renewed strength in depth and commitment to providing our clients with the best legal advice across the country. Dealing with disputed wills and trusts can be a difficult and emotionally charged time for families, and we understand the need for sensitivity and strive to achieve the best outcome for our clients."