Pensions
UK Guide 2025 : North East & Yorkshire
Band 1
Contact number
0333 091 2670About
Provided by Arc Pensions Law
Partners: Vikki Massarano, Kate Payne, Robert Walker
Number of partners: 3 (Leeds) 6 (London)
Number of other UK fee-earners: 12
THE FIRM: Arc Pensions Law is a specialist national law firm focusing entirely on workplace pension schemes. Consisting of nine highly experienced partners and as 12 associates, Arc advises on all things pensions related. The firm’s client-base consists of over 200 trustees and employers, plus a range of other parties in the industry such as administrators, actuaries, consultants, master trusts and investment advisers – as well as many other law firms who rely on Arc Pensions Law for our unique experience and commercial approach. The team at Arc believe that the future of legal services is about strength through focus.
PRINCIPAL AREAS OF WORK: Arc Pensions Law guides trustees, employers and other law firms through the highly regulated world of pension schemes. Arc lawyers help trustees manage risk and balance the interests of various stakeholders to protect members. They also support employers in managing their relationship with the trustees, bringing ‘equality of arms’ to every negotiation and helping them to build a positive and productive dialogue. When working with other law firms, Arc works as a seamless part of the client’s existing team – its job is to clarify technicalities and explain difficult concepts in a way that unpacks them meaningfully without sacrificing accuracy or affecting exposure to risk.
Chambers Review
Arc Pensions Law fields a well-respected team handling a wide range of pensions work, which includes closure to future accrual, asset-backed funding arrangements and liability management. The firm acts for a range of clients, though it is particularly active and adept at handling work in the public sector. The team works with both trustees and employers.
Work Highlights
- Arc Pensions Law advised the trustees of the Wincor Nixdorf DB Pension Scheme on a financial restructuring of its overseas employer group.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Arc Pensions Law always go beyond their legal framework and take a balanced commercial view."
"The lawyers are pragmatic and clear."
"I am always confident that technically they understand the issues but also are pragmatic in the solutions they offer."
"The lawyers are good at getting to the nub of issues and explaining it to clients."
"Arc Pensions Law always go beyond their legal framework and take a balanced commercial view."
"The lawyers are pragmatic and clear."
"I am always confident that technically they understand the issues but also are pragmatic in the solutions they offer."
"The lawyers are good at getting to the nub of issues and explaining it to clients."
Notable Practitioners
Kate Payne advises employers and trustees on a variety of issues including closures to future accrual, buyouts, scheme mergers and liability management. She also acts on GMP equalisation and proceedings concerning pension increases.
"Kate is extremely knowledgeable combined with excellent client management skills."
"Kate is very responsive to our requirements."
"Kate always delivers."
Vikki Massarano acts for both employers and trustees on a broad range of pensions issues such as funding arrangements, GMP equalisation and valuation negotiations. She also advises on scheme closures to future accrual and the pensions aspects of corporate transactions.
"Vikki is extraordinarily clever and easy to deal with. She is the best explainer of complex things."
"She is very pragmatic and always very clear."
"Vikki has a wide range of practical knowledge and experience."
Robert Walker assists sponsoring employers and trustees with a wide range of pensions issues. His work includes advice on scheme governance and liability management.
"Robert is a well-balanced lawyer with excellent pension knowledge underpinned by good commercial awareness and highly developed team skills."
"Robert is technically strong and easy to deal with."
"Robert is responsive, approachable and pragmatic in his advice."
Ranked Lawyers at
Arc Pensions Law
North East & Yorkshire
Members
Provided by Arc Pensions Law
Industries
Provided by Arc Pensions Law
Pensions