Solicitor · Trainer · CEDR Accredited Mediator
Curriculum Vitae
In September 2024, Viv qualified as a CEDR accredited mediator (civil and commercial), with a focus on mediating estate and trust disputes.
Having qualified as a solicitor more than 37 years ago, Viv spent more than 26 years in private client practice, with the last two decades as one of the region's leading practitioners in estate, inheritance tax and succession planning for high net worth individuals and their families, dealing with all their Will and trust requirements. She was latterly a Partner at a Top 100 UK law firm and previously was a partner of, and headed, the Private Wealth teams at two Top 200 UK law firms.
Previously Viv also spent 11 years as a Senior / Principal Lecturer in Law at the University of Huddersfield, where she co-created the Legal Practice Course, validated by the Law Society in 1992.
Key Credentials
- CEDR Accredited Mediator, focusing on estate and trust disputes
- Ranked Band 1, Chambers High Net Worth Guide (Leeds, Bradford and surrounds) 2021 - 2025
- Legal 500 Leading Individual for Personal Tax, Trusts and Probate (Yorkshire) since 2020
- Over 26 years of private client practice at the highest level
- Latterly an equity partner at a Top 100 UK law firm
- Previously partner and Head of Private Wealth team at two Top 200 UK law firms
Career History
Ward Hadaway
June 2022 – April 2026
Equity Partner
Clarion
July 2015 – May 2022
Partner (July 2015 - May 2022); Head of Private Wealth Team (July 2015 – March 2022)
Stephenson Harwood
Dec 2013 – July 2015
Senior Associate Solicitor
Schofield Sweeney
Dec 2008 – Dec 2013
Partner and Head of Private Client Team
Armitage Sykes
Sept 2002 – Dec 2008
Partner / Associate / Solicitor
University of Huddersfield
Sept 1991 – Sept 2002
Senior / Principal Lecturer in Law
Hammond Suddards
March 1990 – Sept 1991
Solicitor
DLA Piper (formerly Broomhead / Dibb Lupton Broomhead)
Sept 1986 – March 1990
Solicitor / Articled Clerk
Education & Qualifications
CEDR
September 2024
Accredited Mediator (civil and commercial)
College of Law, Guildford
Sept 1985 – July 1986
Law Society Finals — all parts passed at 1st sitting
University of Leeds
Sept 1982 – July 1985
LLB (Hons) 2:1 · Land Law Prize
Testimonials
"Vivienne is a brilliant lawyer. Vivienne is a fantastic person to know and deal with. Vivienne understands my situation and desired outcomes."Chambers High Net Worth Guide 2026, Leeds, Bradford and surrounds
"Vivienne Wild... is very experienced in wills and trusts. She is very detailed, but has the ability to explain complex situations in simple terms. Vivienne Wild's extensive knowledge of trusts is invaluable, and she explained complicated tax matters in plain and understandable terms."Legal 500 2025, Personal Tax, Trusts and Probate, Yorkshire
"Viv was my family lawyer for ten years although I've known her much longer and I will be lost without her. She takes ownership and always goes the extra yard. Her attention to detail is exceptional but what sets her apart is her empathy, she stands in your shoes and gets to know her clients. She is a people person and you can't say better than that."Nigel Jowett, In-site Property Solutions Limited