Russell Cohen

Partner

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Practice areas

Private Client Services
Tax

Russell has over twenty years of experience in advising clients how to navigate the complexities of private wealth. He has a personable and collaborative style, and is known for advice that is practical and pragmatic.

Russell works with individuals and families, trustees and family offices, often in an international context.

Russell advises clients on how best to structure their wealth, including wealth preservation, tax and succession planning. He has a particular expertise with regard to tax planning for non-domiciled individuals and non-UK trusts.

He also provides guidance on family governance issues, including how a family can structure its wealth in a way that is consistent with its values, and so as to preserve its reputation.

Russell is head of international strategy at Farrer & Co and is also responsible for Farrers Immigration team. The team has particular expertise in advising entrepreneurs, investors and executives and it frequently advises individuals and families on matters involving political sensitivity.

Russell qualified as a solicitor in 2000. He is listed in the top rank in several directories, and has won several awards.

"One commentator noted that Russell's 'interpersonal skills are the best I've seen in the law.'...He has brilliant communication and technical skills."

Chambers HNW 2022

Expertise

Individuals & Families

Russell is a trusted adviser to high net worth individuals and families. They seek his advice on everything from wealth structuring and succession planning to tax planning and family governance. This is often in an international context.

Memberships & Accolades

Russell won Tax and Trust Lawyer of the Year at the Spear's Wealth Management Awards 2019.

Russell is listed as a top Tax and Trust lawyer in Spear's 500 Magazine 2021 edition.

Russell is also listed in the Private Client Global Elite 2021 directory.

He is a founding member of the STEP Responsible Stewardship of Wealth Thought Leadership special interest group, as well as a member of the Editorial Board for International Family Offices Journal.

Testimonials

"Russell Cohen is one of the best Private Client lawyers I have worked with. He is intelligent and knowledgeable while being at the same time very personable." (Legal 500 2024)

"Russell Cohen – Calm, reassuring and able to identify quickly, and communicate clearly, the heart of the matter." (Legal 500 2024)

"Russell really puts his clients at ease. He thinks in a holistic way, which is very helpful." (Chambers HNW 2023)

"Russell is a very natural adviser to families, particularly in complex situations. He knows how to read the room and understand personal dynamics and integrate that sense into his technical advice. He really guides his team; that provides excellent results and a sense of comfort to the client and other advisers." (Chambers HNW 2023)

"Russell is very switched on and commercially astute." (Chambers HNW 2023)

Russell is ranked in the Hall of Fame for Personal Tax, Trusts and Probate in the Legal 500 2022 Guide.

"Russell Cohen: a brilliant lawyer who is at the same time personable." (Legal 500 2022)

Recognised in the Hall of Fame, "Russell Cohen continues to do amazing work; he is a great lawyer." (Legal 500 2021)

Russell is recognised in Band 1 for Private Wealth Law in the Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2021.

The "exceptional" Russell Cohen wins praise across the market for his substantial experience advising high net worth clients on a wide range of private wealth matters. "He is a breath of fresh air in the legal world. He is a really good listener, friendly and knowledgeable too. He is also really innovative and highly technical. He is one of the most impressive private client lawyers in the industry right now." (Chambers HNW 2021)

"Russell Cohen is a fantastic lawyer. He is creative, easy to work with and super intelligent." (Chambers HNW 2021)

"He thinks outside the box and he is just so very knowledgeable. I think there is no one better." (Chambers HNW 2021)

Russell Cohen is described as "bright and sharp" by one source. He advises high net worth clients on estate and succession planning and is particularly well regarded for his client manner. A source calls him "brilliant - very clever and very insightful." A wealth professional notes: "He has a great sense of humour which really helps on complex client situations." (Chambers HNW 2020)