The Cambridge office of Mishcon de Reya LLP is the epicentre of its firm-wide landed estates practice, with practice head Rupert Melville-Ross regarded as a leading specialist in transactional matters for international and institutional clients as well as private individuals and family businesses. Clients note that the firm 'provides clear, highly effective legal advice', highlighting Andrew Williamson for agricultural tenancy and estate planning work. Both partners recently handled a £12.5m purchase of farmland for a high-net-worth individual. Managing associate Louise Moore, who is 'always calm under pressure and a safe pair of hands', is just one standout lawyer in a strong junior bench.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Rupert Melville-Ross is likeable, intelligent and pragmatic. Leads a team well. Andrew Williamson is highly diligent, strong communicator. Very well organised.’
'Mishcon is a relatively new player in our industry and has disrupted the Rural market, building from the merger with Taylor Vinters. It has gone straight in at the top in our view. The team is up there as the top Rural practice in London, and has a presence in East Anglia too with its Cambridge office.'
'Rupert Melville-Ross is widely considered one of the best transactional lawyers in the country for rural estates, and rightly so. He is commercial, charming and always calm under pressure.'
'Andrew Williamson is one of the best technical agricultural lawyers in the sector: he is both exceptional technically and brilliant at translating technical points into practical advice for the client.'
'Thomas Andrews and Louise Moore are a stand-out lawyers in the team; always calm under pressure and a safe pair of hands no matter how difficult a transaction proves. Rosannah Reynolds is one to watch as a junior with a stellar reputation among clients and a delight to deal with.'
‘Rupert Melville-Ross is undoubtedly one of the top agricultural property advisers in the country with particular expertise in transactional advice.’
'Great team very well lead by Rupert Melville-Ross. Very communicative, pragmatic and easy to work with.'
'Rupert Melville-Ross is always willing to visit the farm and get a practical understanding of what's happening on the ground. He is also great with clients and knows how to get a deal done.'
‘The team know their subject and capabilities. They understand what is needed, act in a pragmatic way and are pleasant to deal with. They have the ability to allocate work to appropriate staff within their team and liaise collectively. ’
‘Rupert Melville-Ross is outstanding in his field. He is very well respected by those in the industry both clients and fellow professionals.'
Lawyers
Hall of fame
The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Andrew Williamson
Leading associates
Leading associates with regular involvement in their team's key work, and recognition from peers or clients as being ones to watch.
Louise Moore
Practice head
Rupert Melville-Ross
Other key lawyers
Andrew Williamson; Louise Moore; Thomas Andrews; Rosannah Reynolds