Michelmores LLP > Exeter, England > Firm Profile

Michelmores LLP > The Legal 500 Rankings

Corporate and commercial > Corporate and commercial: Dorset, Devon and Cornwall Tier 1

With a practice that is hailed as ‘down to earth, pragmatic and commercial‘, Michelmores LLP operates across various sectors, with particular strengths relating to the energy, retail, and financial services industries. Under the leadership of Richard Cobb and Henry Taylor, the team is also noted for its experience acting for clients in the private equity space. M&A, restructuring and private equity are among Stephen Morse‘s areas of expertise; he regularly advises SMEs, banks and private equity houses. Among the senior associates, Francesca Hubbard stands out for her experience advising companies on investments, MBOs and acquisitions. Ian Holyoak is a name to note for commercial matters pertaining to the energy and renewables sector.

Crime, fraud and licensing > General crime and fraud Tier 1

Michelmores LLP retains a core focus on commercial litigation connected with financial crime, including areas of overlap with investigations conducted by the police and regulators. The team is differentiated by the presence of specialised barrister Andrew Oldland KC, who previously held a number of senior regulatory and prosecution roles, including standing counsel to HMRC. Another key practitioner is Sara Chisholm-Batten, who leads the private wealth disputes practice, and regularly undertakes international enforcement work. Core non-contentious work for the group includes drafting ABC policies and procedures.

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: Dorset, Devon and Cornwall Tier 1

Michelmores LLP has a strong track record of acting on the full spectrum of high-value corporate and commercial disputes, frequently involving cross-border, regulatory, reputation management and insurance dimensions. Praised as a ‘standout individual and a fantastic communicator’, Jonathan Kitchin leads the practice and is noted for his expertise in financial services litigation, while Sara Chisholm-Batten handles fraud cases and international enforcement mandates. Charles Courtenay focuses on intellectual property and technology disputes, and Jayne Clemens represents clients in reputation management cases. Other key contacts in the group include Andrew Oldland KC and Alice Daniels, who handle trusts disputes and fraud mandates.

Employment > Employment: Dorset, Devon and Cornwall Tier 1

The employment practice at Michelmores LLP handles both contentious and non-contentious matters, with sector specialisms in the education, health, retail, corporate and police authority fields. The firm’s immigration offering has been growing rapidly under the leadership of Philip Barth. The overall team is led by James Baker, who is noted for dealing with complex investigations and high-profile discrimination and whistleblowing tribunal litigation. Other notable individuals include Andrew Tobey and Rachael Lloyd, who was promoted to partner in May 2023.

Private client > Agriculture and estates Tier 1

Described by some clients as ‘one of the leading firms in this practice area’, Michelmores LLP maintains a sizable team of experts who are well-placed to advise on practical and commercial matters. The team is led by Ben Sharples and Vivienne Williams. Sharples is an expert in cross-sector contentious work, while Williams specialises in contentious agricultural matters. Other key team members include Adam Corbin, Rachel O’Connor, and Charlotte Razay: Corbin has broad knowledge of the sector and specialises in agricultural disputes; O’Connor advises on a broad spectrum of complex, contentious rural matters; and Razay is noted for her litigation experience.

Private client > Contentious trusts and probate Tier 1

Michelmores LLP houses a strong team capable of advising a range of renowned clients – including high-net-worth individuals and national charities – on the full gamut of wills, trusts, probate, and legacies matters. The practice maintains a strong presence in the South West, drawing high praise from clients – some of whom regard it as, ‘the best in its geographical area.’ The team is led by Tony Cockayne, who has over 20 years of litigation experience acting for wealthy individuals and national charities. Jasmine Ivory acts for high-net-worth individuals and charities on complex litigation matters. Georgia Wookey joined from Wards Solicitors LLP in January 2023.

Private client > Family Tier 1

Michelmores LLP houses a respected team that regularly advise high and ultra-high-net-worth individuals on a host of matters, spanning international private wealth and wealth protection, tax income structuring, and TOLATA and Children Act matters. Daniel Eames leads the team and is noted for his expertise on divorce proceedings with cross-border elements. Other notable individuals include Sarah Green, who is recommended for her experience in all areas of divorce and complex financial remedy cases, and Pippa Allsopp, who focuses primarily on wealth protection.  

Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate Tier 1

Working across offices in Exeter, Bristol, Cheltenham, and London, the team at Michelmores LLP offers expert advice on all aspects of wealth structuring, working with high-net-worth individuals and their families on a national and international scale. Lauded by some clients as the ‘premier firm in the South West’, the team has seen considerable growth in offshore trust and international work in the last year. Bristol-based practice head Sandra Brown specialises in preservation of personal wealth, with a particular interest in the use of trusts. Edward Porter is noted for the breadth of his private client capabilities, including estate planning and trusts issues. Holly Mieville-Hawkins continues to bolster the firm’s mental capacity offering.    

Real estate > Commercial property: Dorset, Devon and Cornwall Tier 1

The core pillars of Michelmores LLP‘s practice are commercial real estate and investment, residential development, energy, and the sustainable economy; the team’s recent advice regarding a UK-wide roll of habitat bank credits is testament to their capabilities in the latter. ‘Stand-out property lawyer' Lucy Smallwood leads the South West transactional practice, while Emma Honey, who has significant experience of advising on residential development work, heads the overall real estate department. Other key figures include Stephen Newson, whose expertise extends to corporate occupier mandates, and Richard Walford, who advises on a broad array of commercial property matters. Richard Honey and Chloe Howard-Smith are also noted.

Insurance > Professional negligence Tier 2

Private client > Charities and not-for-profit Tier 2

Michelmores LLP is praised for its ‘breadth of expertise across the spectrum of activity' in the charity sector; the team regularly advises a number of national charities on both contentious and non-contentious matters relevant to the space. The practice is headed up by by Tony Cockayne and Edward Porter. Cockayne is an experienced litigator who primarily handles cases for high-net-worth individuals and charitable organisations, while Porter - a partner in the private wealth team - is described as ‘erudite, personable and superb at simplifying complex issues.’

Projects, energy and natural resources > Energy, project finance and PFI Tier 2

Noted by clients as ‘a specialist firm in the field of PFI‘, Michelmores LLP fields a dedicated offering in this area, overseen by experts Carol McCormack and Ben Hogan; major new procurements, service contracts and complex projects all fall within the team’s remit. On the energy side, Ian Holyoak takes the lead, ably supported by Alexandra Watson. For project financing mandates, Karen Williams is the key name to note. At the senior associate level, Jo Spalding and Hannah Slater are particularly recommended.

Real estate > Construction Tier 2

Michelmores LLP‘s ‘highly capable‘ construction team combines a broad range of transactional and contentious work; the team’s recent highlights with bespoke amendments to JCT contracts and court proceedings regarding the design and construction of a large warehouse facility among the unit’s recent highlights. Practice head Anna Wood bolsters the team’s healthcare and aviation sector expertise, and Alan Tate specialises in transactional work, while Catherine Davis is noted for her work in the energy sector. Chris Hoar and Gerald Offen have retired from the practice.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Intellectual property Tier 2

At Michelmores LLP, the IP practice has a strong presence in the South West but also advises international clients in contentious and non-contentious matters. With strong capabilities in the food and drink as well as consumer brands sectors, the team works closely together with the firm’s corporate practice to advise on the IP aspects of transactions. David Thompson, who is particularly well versed in dealing with clients from the food and drink sector, and Charles Courtenay, whose experience includes cross-border, finance, and technology matters, act as joint practice heads. Brand protection and IP transactions are areas of expertise for associate Philippa Collison.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > IT and telecoms Tier 2

Acting across contentious, regulatory, corporate and commercial matters, Michelmores LLP fields an active technology practice which has capabilities including aiding public sector customers with technology transactions and supporting startups with investment projects and day-to-day operations. Practice head Tom Torkar advises clients stemming from the aviation, e-commerce and financial services sectors, among others.

Private client > Agriculture and estates Tier 2

The ‘commercially astute‘ team at Michelmores LLP is co-led by Ben Sharples and Vivienne Williams. Sharples excels in advising on biodiversity net gain and other issues such as nutrient neutrality, while Williams specialises in contentious agricultural work and is well respected for her advice on an array of landlord and tenant issues, farming partnerships and co-ownership disputes. The agile team draws on the expertise of its colleagues to advise on a myriad of other issues from transactional property and strategic development work, to advising clients on planning and commercial matters.

Employment > Health and safety Tier 3

Helmed by Andrew Oldland KC, an experienced advocate who has previously held a number of senior regulatory and prosecution posts, the team at Michelmores LLP has notable experience when it comes contentious health and safety mandates. Fatality and serious injury cases in the workplace are a particular area of strength, as is marine safety. Jayne Clemens and associate Scott Love complete the roster of key names.

Finance > Insolvency and corporate recovery Tier 3

Real estate > Planning Tier 3

Michelmores LLP acts for both public and private sector clients on a host of matters, including section 106 and infrastructure agreements. The team also regularly handle work for hospitals, working on redevelopment projects for high-profile sites across the country. Mark Howard, who leads the team from the firm’s Exeter office, has significant experience of advising local authorities on an array of planning and environment matters. Helen Hutton joined the team from Charles Russell Speechlys LLP in April 2022 and is well versed in historic building issues. Sarah Reardon has a strong focus on highway and sewer adoption matters. Other notable new arrivals include Nick Jonathan, who joined in October 2022 from shared legal service One Legal.

Real estate > Property litigation Tier 3

Whether offering strategic advice to developers concerning disputes, specialist advice to high-net-worth individuals, or handling work for corporate occupiers and public sector clients, Michelmores LLP‘s team – divided between Bristol and Exeter – is a key port of call for property litigation. Andrew Baines, who leads the team, is well-equipped to handle lease renewals and overage arrangements. Charlotte Curtis handles a sweep of commercial landlord and tenant disputes, including breaches of covenant.

Finance > Banking and finance Tier 4

A favoured choice for banks, corporate lenders and global development funds, Michelmores LLP advises on real estate finance, project finance and secured lending, among other fields. Sacha Pickering head up the firm’s banking, restructuring and insolvency team, with Karen Williams as the key name for banking and finance matters; she advises across the financial spectrum with a particular focus on domestic and international social impact investment work.

Corporate and commercial > Equity capital markets – small-mid cap Tier 4

Michelmores LLP advises its international client base on a wide range of ECM transactions, with the group’s recent workload seeing the team work with companies on potential IPOs, and listed companies on fund raising and M&A, alongside restructurings. The team is headed up by Ian Binnie, who focuses on AIM and main marked-related transactions, where he is praised as ‘extraordinarily knowledgeable with a pragmatic and commercial approach’.

Industry focus > Emerging markets Tier 4

Michelmores LLP is active in capital markets transactions on behalf of entrepreneurs, institutional investors, debt financiers and operators in sectors as diverse as financial services, ports and logistics, critical minerals, and energy/battery metals. It also has a strong suit in impact financing for investors, financial institutions, private equity funds, project sponsors, developers. The practice is led by ECM and resources partner Ian Binnie, up-and-coming impact financing partner Harry Trick, and debt finance specialist Karen Williams. Williams acted for Soros Economic Development Fund in a cost-sharing guarantee to provide healthcare to underserved communities in favour of Gavi the Vaccine Alliance. Barrister and disputes specialist Andrew Oldland also handles contentious matters in emerging markets. Joe Whitfield retired from the firm in 2023.

Insurance > Insurance litigation: for policyholders Tier 4

Michelmores LLP‘s insurance and reinsurance litigation team draws on the firm’s wider commercial and corporate experience to provide support to clients across a range of policy types and sectors, including professional indemnity, D&O and public liability coverage, along with marine insurance. The ‘approachable, knowledgeable’ Jonathan Kitchin leads the team across Exeter and London.

Private client > Contentious trusts and probate Tier 4

Sara Chisholm-Batten leads a busy, cross-departmental team at Michelmores LLP, which is particularly known for its involvement in high-value and complex domestic and international trust estate disputes. Its client base includes professional trustees and high-net-worth individuals. In addition, it is well-regarded for its work on matters involving conflict of laws, and has an interesting caseload of high-value and complex offshore trusts work. Jennifer Ridgway is now at Farrer & Co.

Private client > Personal tax, trusts and probate Tier 4

'Super star' Dhana Sabanathan heads the department at Michelmores LLP, which ‘comprises highly knowledgeable private client lawyers with a high standard of responsiveness’. The group, which includes Sandra Brown, advises on all aspects of wealth structuring for UHNW individuals and their families who are based in the UK and outside of the UK. It has particular expertise in advising US connected clients and advising family-owned businesses. James Frampton is another significant member of the team. Jennifer Ridgway left the firm in October 2022.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > IT and telecoms Tier 4

Michelmores LLP services clients across the technology sector, covering a full spectrum of commercial, corporate, contentious and regulatory matters. Tom Torkar, who advises on service contracts, e-commerce, software licensing and data protection issues, jointly leads the team alongside Anne Todd, who focuses on privacy work and is particularly well-versed in IP mandates. Disputes lawyer Charles Courtenay manages telecoms patent litigation and licensing matters.

Dispute resolution > Commercial litigation: mid-market Tier 5

Delivering 'London quality but without the London mark-up', Michelmores LLP's commercial and regulatory disputes team is able to leverage the firm's specialist insolvency, construction, property litigation, contentious probate, and agriculture teams. Marie-Louise King's practice covers breach of contract claims, company and shareholder disputes, conflicts arising out of corporate transactions, and contentious insolvency; and Peter Sigler is head of international. 'A litigator that clients want on their side', Jonathan Kitchin heads up the department from Exeter.

TMT (technology, media and telecoms) > Reputation management Tier 5

Michelmores LLP is experienced in acting for high-profile and high-net-worth individuals in cases regarding defamation, privacy and reputation management in the private wealth, education and finance sectors. Team leader Jayne Clemens splits her time between Exeter and London, and is supported by Charlotte Bolton, who specialises in brand protection.

Private client > Court of protection