Lucy is a Director of Pickerings & Private Client Solicitor who has specialised in wills and probate, trusts, tax and estate planning throughout her career. She joined Pickerings in 2017 from Mills & Reeve. She advises individuals on inheritance tax and capital gains tax matters, estate planning and preservation of wealth for future generations through will and trust arrangements.
Lucy is recognised as a 'Next Generation Partner' in The Legal 500 2024 and referred to as “an excellent private client lawyer, experienced, extremely competent and excellent with clients”.
Lucy builds firm relationships with clients from the outset in order to ensure that clients feel comfortable to in sharing sensitive and personal information. Establishing this rapport enables her to consider their affairs from all aspects to help clients decide upon the best Will structure for them. She regularly advises on and drafts Wills with complex trust arrangements to ensure that tax reliefs are maximised, estates and inheritance is protected for future generations and that clients’ wishes are carried out.
A particular specialism is planning for beneficiaries who have a disability, and Lucy is approached by clients from across England and Wales to advise on and assist with Wills and planning where disabled or vulnerable children or relatives need to be considered.
Lucy also helps clients to navigate difficult issues such as exclusion of a child or other family members and protection of wealth for blended families. She regularly liaises with clients’ other advisors (IFA’s, accountants, etc) to achieve the best outcome for the client.
Lucy works in conjunction with colleagues in the divorce, property and corporate commercial teams to ensure that prenups are considered, property issues are addressed, and company matters, shareholdings and structures are carefully thought through.
Lucy is a member of STEP, The Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners, and SFE, Solicitors for the Elderly. As a member of STEP, Lucy follows the STEP Code for Will Preparation, a set of ethical principles by which STEP members adhere. Lucy is involved in building the firm’s Will precedent bank and takes a keen interest in training and helping other team members in the drafting of Wills.
Prior to qualification as a solicitor in 2006, Lucy was a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives and won Birmingham Law Society Legal Executive of the Year Award in 2007.
Lucy is recognised throughout the Midlands area by clients and intermediaries as being expert in her field and receives frequent referrals from many IFA’s, Accountants and Private Banks. Increasingly these referrals are made by intermediaries that have traditionally referred to larger City or national firms.
Lucy enjoys helping clients to achieve their aims and prides herself on providing straightforward advice on complex issues. She is skilled at helping and guiding clients through difficult times, from dealing with the administration of a loved one's estate to helping clients plan for the benefit of future generations.
Her calm and professional approach ensures that she regularly receives glowing feedback from clients.
Contact Lucy on 01827 317091 or lcooling@pickerings-solicitors.com
Lucy is recognised as a 'Next Generation Partner' in The Legal 500 2024, a directory of leading law firms.
This excellent team provides a 'very personal and caring service' at Pickerings Solicitors. It advises many business owners, landowners and high-net-worth individuals on a whole host of trusts, estate planning, succession planning and asset protection matters. Lucy Cooling, who is a member of STEP and of the SFE, is a key figure.
Testimonials
‘I would recommend them for their seamlessness of communication, focus on customer detail and building personal relationships that are supportive and professional'.
‘The team comprises a number of talented & competent lawyers who overall provide a great service to their clients. I would say that the practice is the best in the North Birmingham/North Warwickshire region & bears comparison with the best of the Birmingham City Centre practices’.
‘Lucy Cooling is an excellent private client lawyer, experienced, extremely competent, & excellent with clients’.
Lucy was recognised as a ‘next generation partner’.
Lucy was also recommended in The Legal 500 2023
'Lucy was exceptional and made us feel at ease. All our wants and wishes were met efficiently in our Will'
'Lucy is a 'very efficient' solicitor, who joined from Mills & Reeve LLP in 2017 and is an expert in inheritance and capital gains tax.'
Client Testimonials
I cannot say more, I was satisfied by Pickerings in every way and heartily recommend them.
JS Mar 2024
Lucy was always very pleasant and welcoming as well as very professional at all times. The service was over and above what I expected.
Anon Mar 2024
Lucy was clear, helpful and professional. All information was conveyed clearly and in sufficient detail. Many thanks Lucy for all of your help and advice when arranging our wills and Lasting Powers of Attorney.
Anon, Feb 2024
Lucy was very efficient and knew exactly what I needed, I would definitely recommend.
PR Dec 2023
Lucy was very knowledgeable and helpful and all communication was on time and in order, Lucy achieved my desired result by giving me appropriate advice. Thank you.
ME Nov 2023
'Lucy put me at ease and was so understanding. She was very professional and friendly. I would highly recommend the company'.
Anon, August 2023
'Lucy listened to our needs and answered all of our questions. I would recommend the services of Pickerings Solicitors to my friends and family'.
Anon, July 2023
'Keep up the good standards. Lucy was professional and sympathetic in dealing with my husband's estate. Thank You'.
Anon, July 2023.
'Lucy was always kind, professional and patient. Any communication we received was thorough and prompt. I would recommend Pickerings to others'.
CG Feb 2023
'Lucy was not only very pleasant to deal with but also very efficient and professional. I was always kept informed as to what was happening during the process. It would be very difficult to find how you could improve on the service given'.
RP Nov 2022
'I was treated very pleasantly and friendly, also everyone was very friendly and helpful. Many Thanks for all of the help.'
B.W October 2022
‘I strongly believe that the firm’s greatest strength is its client-focus. From the first call to the ongoing relationship with our solicitor, we are always treated with warmth, sincerity and prompt replies to all queries. In addition the staff uses its expertise to make relevant and supportive suggestions about the best course of action’.
Lucy is always helpful and able to answer all questions. She takes away all my worries.
MW & JW Oct 22
Excellent experience working with Lucy and the team.
KM July 2022
Excellent service. Didn't feel that we were rushed through our appointments and time was taken to explain any queries we had.
SB July 22
We received an excellent standard of communication throughout.
July 2022
