Michelmores LLP is a dynamic, full-service practice with 43 partners, 101 lawyers and a total complement of over 280 staff.
The firm: The firm has enjoyed substantial growth over the last eight years, primarily through organic expansion, discerning lateral hires and sector focus rather than acquisition. The firm has continued to invest in infrastructure, IT, training and personal development, and corporate and social responsibility programmes, all of which help to deliver a first-class and constantly improving client service.
In December 2009, Michelmores LLP was named ‘UK Regional Firm of the Year’ at the British Legal Awards. In October 2010, Michelmores LLP was named the ‘UK and Ireland Regional Legal Team of the Year’ at the STEP Private Client Awards.
Michelmores has its head office in Exeter, a growing office in London and a further office in Sidmouth. The London office is key to future growth, and is helping to establish Michelmores’ national and international reputation in its chosen specialist areas, including technology, media and communications work, and the public sector.
Following his appointment to managing partner in October 2008, Malcolm Dickinson is successfully leading Michelmores’ continued growth. Under his leadership, the firm is becoming more client and market-focused than ever before.
The firm’s ambitious ethos, quality of work and collegiate atmosphere helps to attract and retain the very best lawyers – many of Michelmores’ lawyers have joined from leading City firms.
The firm takes a practical approach to providing a first-class service to a wide range of clients, comprising major institutions, government departments and public bodies throughout the country, as well as offering a full range of professional services to corporate and private clients.
Types of work undertaken: Business: the business group has continued to grow by way of several significant lateral hires and has expanded its deal base to include a number of national and international transactions. The recently recruited partners and associates add to the increasing breadth of Michelmores’ expertise, and specialise in various areas of corporate and commercial law, including corporate finance, AIM Iistings, banking and insolvency.
Property: the property group is a recognised leader in the region in the commercial property field, with one of the largest property departments in the South West. With a team of over 50 lawyers, including specialists in planning, environment, construction, projects, PFI and property litigation, the group acts for many public bodies, as well as some of the most distinguished regional institutions, investors and national house builders. A new partner joined the group and now heads up the property litigation team and the retail sector group.
Private client: the private client group, one of the largest in the South West, is known for providing high-quality, specialist partner-led advice to wealthy individuals, families, business owners and landed estates, both throughout the country and internationally. The group continues to expand, with the lateral hiring of the childcare team, which has added an extra dimension to the existing family team, and further expansion in the London office, with the recruitment of partners focusing on international and non-domiciliary work. The group continues to offer the traditional private client services while also developing new areas to meet client demand. These include asset protection, international tax and investment structuring advice for individuals, their trusts and private companies.
Number of UK partners 43
Number of other UK fee-earners 101
Above material supplied by Michelmores LLP.