Helen Pearson

Helen is a Senior Associate in our litigation team.

She advises on tax compliance and disputes with HMRC, helping clients to navigate investigations, enquiries, disclosures and litigation before the Tax Tribunals and Appellate Courts, including judicial review. She works across all areas of direct and indirect tax, with particular expertise in corporation tax, VAT and environmental taxes.

She typically supports corporate clients and partnerships with extensive experience in the retail and healthcare sectors, although she isn’t sector‑specific and advises on a wide range of tax issues. Before qualifying as a solicitor in 2020, she spent two years working within HMRC as a tax inspector, focusing on corporation tax enquiries.

Helen’s known for her broad tax experience and her ability to take a pragmatic, informed approach to HMRC processes. Her time inside HMRC means that she understands how enquiries and investigations are likely to unfold and as a litigator she guides clients confidently through appeals before the Tribunals. 

She decided to become a tax lawyer after learning about the famous ‘Jaffa Cakes’ VAT case — a moment that sparked her interest in the complexity and quirks of tax law and how it affects every business.

Outside work, Helen enjoys exploring the countryside with her two dogs. She spends much of her free time reading, dancing and taking on creative or DIY projects. She’s also a member of Women in Tax.

Helen joined us in April 2026 and is based in our Leeds office.