From L to R: Catriona Attride, John Grundy, Rachael Armstrong, Adam Williams, and Lucy Howard.

Leading law firm Mills & Reeve has strengthened its private client team with a raft of appointments, including Rachael Armstrong as partner in its Birmingham office.

Rachael joins the firm from Veale Wasbrough Vizards (VWV), where she was head of its private client practice in Birmingham for over nine years.

In her new role, Rachael will work alongside the highly regarded private client team in Mills & Reeve’s Birmingham office, which is ranked top tier in both Chambers High Net Worth and Legal 500. The team includes specialist partners Catriona Attride, John Grundy, Adam Williams and Lucy Howard.

With a strong reputation for advising high-net-worth clients, Rachael will help to grow the practice and provide complex advice to new and existing clients. Specialising in farming, with experience acting for several landowners, Rachael will bring valuable cross-sector insight in the food and agribusiness markets, supporting landowners across the Midlands.

Rachael is joined by Patricia O’Neill, who has also been appointed from VWV where she spent the last 13 years. As a member of the Society of Trusts and Estates Practitioners (STEP), Patricia joins as Trust & Estate Practitioner. Senior associate, Poppy Wilkinson completes the triple hire, joining from Eversheds.

Commenting on her appointment, Rachael said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Mills & Reeve’s highly regarded private client team in Birmingham. The firm’s collaborative culture and sector expertise offer a fantastic platform to support high-net-worth individuals and clients across the region. I’m looking forward to working with such a talented group of lawyers and contributing to the continued growth of the practice.”

Partner Catriona Attride commented: “We’re delighted to have added real strength and depth to our private client team, with three exciting hires in our Birmingham office, led by the appointment of Rachael. With her deep technical expertise, she will be working closely with our private client team to support clients through complex challenges, mentoring junior lawyers, and strengthening connections across key sectors for the firm.”