Mr Ben Sharples > Michelmores LLP > Bristol, England > Lawyer Profile

Michelmores LLP, under the leadership of Ben Sharples and Vivienne Williams, has a strong reputation in both agricultural disputes and non-contentious work including property transactions and strategic development matters. Natural capital and tax are further areas of expertise for the team, whose varied client portfolio is made up of entities including public bodies, landed estates and charitable organisations. Sharples also acts as head of natural capital; both he and Williams specialise in related dispute resolution. Rachel O’Connor is noted for her capabilities relating to regenerative agriculture, while Adam Corbin and Charlotte Razay are further key contacts with experience handling contentious matters.

Described as ‘pragmatic and precise’, Michelmores LLP advises a range of housebuilders, developers, and landowners on a range of disputes relating to sizeable development and redevelopment projects, landlord and tenant issues, and corporate occupier mandates. Dividing time between Exeter and Bristol, the team is led by Andrew Baines who is well-versed in advising public and private sector clients. In Bristol, Ben Sharples is an experienced mediator and arbitrator, and leads the firm’s natural capital and sustainable agriculture team. Exeter-based Charlotte Curtis and Bristol-based Lydia Robinson are also active members of the team, with clients describing the pair as ‘sensible, easy to contact and a pleasure to work alongside’. Hannah Venn-Munns joined the practice in August 2024.

Michelmores LLP has ‘very experienced solicitors who know a great deal about agricultural disputes‘. The team regularly advises an array of landed estates, government bodies, public bodies, charitable organisations, corporations, and high-net-worth clients. It is also known for its expertise in natural capital and biodiversity net gain matters. In addition, it frequently acts for new entrants to the market seeking to re-wild the land or combine environmental payments with traditional agriculture. Ben Sharples and Vivienne Williams co-head the department. The practice also draws on the expertise of its colleagues to advise on diverse matters from transactional property and contentious agricultural matters, to commercial issues. Josie Edwards was promoted to the partnership in May 2023.