Kirsty Cooke > Ashfords LLP > Exeter, England > Lawyer Profile

The healthcare and life sciences practice at Ashfords LLP is chaired by Jocelyn Ormond and Ben Tarrant, both of whom work out of the firm’s Bristol office. Acting for a diverse client base that includes NHS trusts, private hospital operators and digital healthcare centres, the team handles a broad range of matters; property acquisitions and venture capital investments stand out as key recent areas of focus. Kirsty Cooke contributes expertise in employment and immigration matters to the team, while Katie Webber is a Court of Protection proceedings specialist. Partner Vanessa James left the firm in August 2022.

Ashfords LLP is a key port of call for clients from the care, hospitality and, increasingly, the marine sectors. The team handles a wide range of employment and recruitment issues, including obtaining skilled worker visas, and advising major domestic retailers and blue-chip multinationals with respect to sponsoring overseas workers. Exeter-based practice head Kirsty Cooke maintains a broad practice which extends to non-contentious immigration, advising on urgent applications for leave to remain for families on human rights grounds, among other matters. Laura Wonnacott has a particular focus on immigration issues in the marine sector.