Speaker details

Biography

Kathleen Russ was appointed Travers Smith’s Senior Partner on 1 July 2019, having been a partner in the Tax Department since 2001, and Head of the Tax Department from July 2007 to January 2017. Kathleen has occupied a strategic and leadership role in the firm, shaping and executing Travers Smith’s business strategy for a number of years, initially as a member of the firm's Partnership Board, and currently as its Chair. As Head of Travers Smith's Tax Department for almost ten years, she grew the department into one of the firm’s key business areas. It is currently one of the largest and most diverse tax departments in the City. Kathleen co-chairs the International Board alongside her Co-chair (and former managing partner) David Patient. The International Board focuses on ensuring that an excellent and personal service is offered to Travers Smith’s worldwide client base through the firm’s longstanding relationships with leading independent law firms across the globe. Reflecting Kathleen's long-standing commitment to promoting equality and diversity in the legal sector, she is Chair of the Diversity and Inclusion Board at Travers Smith and has been recognised as one of the Top 10 "Advocates" in this year's Empower Ethnic Minority Role Model List. In addition, Kathleen is Chair of the firm's Environmental Board, and the Audit Committee. Kathleen specialises in private equity transactions and has experience acting for both institutional investors and management teams. She was a member of the BVCA Tax Committee from 2002 to 2017 where she was regularly involved in discussions with HMRC on the BVCA's behalf. She sits on the Board of the Office of Tax Simplification as a Non-Executive Director, providing advice to the Chancellor on simplifying the UK tax system. Kathleen is also a member of the CBI London Regional Council. Kathleen is individually recommended by Chambers and Partners UK and PLC as one of the City's leading tax practitioners. She is praised in Chambers UK for her technical expertise in private equity matters, and in the Legal 500 she has been elevated to the 'Hall of Fame'.