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Kate Allass

Partner

Kate Allass lawyer photo

Kate is an experienced commercial litigator who advises clients on complex and high value commercial disputes, including High Court litigation and arbitration. She helps her clients to navigate through challenging contentious issues to achieve the best possible outcome. She works closely with her clients – businesses, institutions and private individuals – to provide clarity about the strength of their legal position and to devise a strategy which is focused on taking control and achieving their objectives.  She establishes a strong rapport with her clients and is ranked as a leading commercial litigator in both Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners.

Kate has particular expertise in corporate/shareholder and finance disputes.

Through her corporate litigation practice, Kate advises individuals, corporates and private equity firms on actual and potential claims relating to shareholder, investor and joint venture agreements; claims by minority shareholders for unfair prejudice; boardroom and partnership disputes; claims for breaches of directors’ duties and misfeasance; and disputes arising out of corporate acquisitions including breach of warranty, indemnification and earn-out issues.

Kate also has an active finance litigation practice, through which she advises individuals and financial institutions on mis-selling claims; claims arising out of breaches of contract, negligence and breaches of duty; recovery of secured and unsecured debt; and finance and intercreditor agreements.

She is a responsive, supportive and pro-active lawyer, who offers excellent legal analysis in combination with commercially sound strategic advice.

Kate qualified as a solicitor in 2001 and became a partner in 2009.

Expertise

Entrepreneurs

Kate regularly advises entrepreneurs and start-ups on disputes between founders and shareholders; disputes with investors and joint venture partners; and issues over warranties and earn outs following the sale of their businesses. She understands the impact which substantial disputes have on a business, both in terms of the potential diversion of resources and its impact on fundraising. Her clients trust her to work sensitively and proactively to protect their interests and achieve the optimum outcome as quickly as possible.

Private Banks & Wealth Managers

Kate has particular expertise in this sector, acting regularly for private banks and wealth managers in disputes involving their clients and commercial partners. She has defended a client against a multi-million pound mis-selling claim in group litigation; acted in Commercial Court proceedings worth $220m which involved her client's security interest; defended a claim over negligent investment advice; advised on breaches of intercreditor agreements; advised affiliated trust companies on multi-jurisdictional shareholder disputes; taken enforcement action against an UHNW individual; defended claims that a bank intermeddled in a receivership; and advised on the management of accounts subject to freezing orders.

Testimonials

"Kate Allass is one of the best in the mid-market sector." (Legal 500 2024)

"… calm, reflective and assertive when necessary. Brooks no nonsense from opponents while remaining courteous throughout."(Legal 500 2023)

'"Kate Allass is excellent – a great strategist, who is very much a trusted adviser and go-to lawyer for clients with complex disputes." (Legal 500 2023)

"I am impressed by Kate's awareness and attentiveness to her client."(Chambers UK 2023)

"She has a gravitas I find very impressive and she's a hard fighter who will give 100% to her client" (Chambers UK 2023)

A client for whom she acted in a recent piece of High Court litigation says: "The litigation team headed by Kate Allass left no stone unturned. A deep sense of professionalism and an unequivocally ethical approach set the tone in a long and complex commercial case that often required detailed analysis. Their ability to adapt to changes and the ebb and flow of an arduous process with numerous legal twists highlighted a creativeness that was a feature of the entire team. Never losing sight of common sense, the advice was always measured and supported by a clarity of presentation that allowed the Board to continually assess its options in an informed manner."

"Kate is very responsive and will quickly pull together a good legal synopsis of the situation. She is a great communicator and has a good can-do attitude even when setbacks happen. I find her to be very pragmatic in everything she does. She has a deep knowledge of litigation as well as a real understanding of how to approach clients and help them to implement a good strategy." (Chambers UK 2022)

"While Kate Allass is a very good lawyer, her handling of clients is second to none." (Legal 500 2022)

"She provides excellent commercial advice in a timely, efficient and cost-effective manner. She explained the litigation procedure and what was involved in very clear terms, which gave us comfort. Totally unflappable and extremely good with clients." (Chambers UK 2021)

"Kate Allass has acted as a trusted advisor to our business for many years. Kate provides excellent commercial advice in an timely, efficient and cost-effective manner." (Legal 500 2021)

"Kate Allass – very switched on, superb tactical brain, firm with opponents while maintaining their respect." (Legal 500 2021)

"Kate Allass is extremely intelligent and astute." (Legal 500 2021)

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