Elizabeth Carson

Spear’s Review

Dual-qualified in England and New York, Elizabeth Carson drives Penningtons Manches Cooper’s US-focused offering, which has become an integral part of the firm’s private wealth group. The department is currently the only major London family department with a dedicated US desk. 

Carson herself receives a constant stream of referrals from leading family firms across the major US cities – in particular, Washington DC, Los Angeles and New York. A French, Portuguese and Spanish speaker, she also has strong links across African jurisdictions, and frequently accepts referrals from the continent. Notable cases include Waggott v Waggott, in which the Court of Appeal established that a person’s earning capacity is not a capital asset to be shared with their spouse. 

Adviser Profile

Elizabeth, the ‘go-to’ lawyer for cases with a US connection, focuses on the needs of HNW individuals. She aims to understand her clients' objectives from the outset to secure the best possible outcomes. 

Elizabeth is ‘incredibly kind, empathetic and calm even when under pressure,’ recognising the trauma that can be caused when relationships break down. 

Elizabeth successfully represented the husband in the leading case of Waggott v Waggott, which established that a person’s earning capacity was not a capital asset to be shared with their spouse. She was admitted as a fellow of the prestigious International Academy of Family Lawyers in 2021 and has a thriving international practice.