The Taunton office of national law firm Clarke Willmott LLP has once again been recognised at the highest level in the recently released Chambers and Partners High Net Worth rankings.
The office has been awarded a prestigious Band 1 ranking and is hailed for its contentious and non-contentious private client offering in the South West. Its private client team advises farming clients, landed estate clients and business owners on a broad range of matters.
In addition to the firm’s top rating, five Taunton-based practitioners have been individually ranked as leading lawyers in their field.
Partner in the private capital team David Maddock is ranked in Band 1 and is noted for his expertise in Inheritance Tax planning and estate planning for agricultural and farming matters. A source says Maddock is a “lovely chap” who is “really good at client care and client relationships.”
Partner Esther Woolford is ranked in Band 2. Leading the firm’s commercial and private ligation practice in the Taunton office, Esther is described as “extremely bright, one of the cleverest solicitors I have come across.”
Also ranked in Band 2 is partner Stuart Thorne who is described as “probably the pre-eminent practitioner in Somerset.” Thorne’s expertise spans lifetime tax and succession planning, particularly for local landed estate and farm owners.
Senior associate Sarah O’Grady is named as an ‘associate to watch’ in Private Wealth Disputes in the South West. Dividing her time between the firm’s Bristol and Taunton offices, Sarah deals with trust and probate disputes and is described as “a very astute lawyer, she always runs litigation very efficiently and gets a good result for the client.”
Partner Tom Chiffers who joined the firm last month, is named as ‘Up and Coming’ by the guide. Chiffers provides affluent clients with advice on tax planning, the formation and maintenance of trusts, wills drafting and power of attorney matters.
Anthony Fairweather, (pictured) head of Clarke Willmott’s Private Client team, said: “We are delighted with this year’s High Net Worth Guide, and we’re pleased to see our people individually named for their work, across our Manchester, Taunton and Bristol offices.
“These rankings are very impressive and are testimony to the strength and consistency of the private client team we have.
“Our strong and growing presence in all regions of the UK, highlights Clarke Willmott’s private client practice as one of the best and most diverse in the country.”
The Chambers and Partners High Net Worth guide covers private wealth management work and related specialisms, features in-depth editorial about the leading lawyers and law firms for wealthy individuals and families.
Clarke Willmott LLP is a national law firm with seven offices across the country in Birmingham, Bristol, Cardiff, London, Manchester, Southampton and Taunton.
For more information visit www.clarkewillmott.com
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