Private client
Regarded as ‘incredibly knowledgeable and technically excellent’, Burges Salmon LLP advises major landowners and estates on a broad array of matters, including real estate acquisitions and disposals, as well as on tax and succession planning. The firm is also able to draw on its dispute resolution, employment, corporate and IP expertise to enhance its advice. The team is led by Tom Hewitt with expertise in tax and succession issues. Seen as ’a very good litigator’, Kevin Kennedy acts on agricultural disputes and natural capital matters. Emma Folkes leverages her experience in purchases and leases to advise institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals. Ross Simpson advises on land and portfolio transactions, whilst Tim Williams assists with wealth structuring and tax matters.
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Profile
Work Department
Real Estate
Position
Partner working within the firm's Food and Farming team and specialising in non-contentious agricultural property matters. Acts on a wide variety of transactional matters including sales and purchases and the grant of tenancies, and advises on a wide range of issues arising from the ongoing management of farms and estates. Client base is UK-wide and includes landowners, farmers, national institutions and charities.
Recent examples of work: acting on the sale, in parts, of a significant estate comprising let farms, in-hand woodland and cottages. Acting on the sale of a portfolio of rural cottages. Documenting the division of a family farm following the settlement of a complex farming partnership dispute. Working with an institutional landowner on the restructure of agricultural tenancy arrangements. Acting on the acquisition of strategic land subject to complex overage obligations relating to future development.
Career
Trained Trowers & Hamlins LLP, qualified 2003; Trowers & Hamlins LLP (2001-2006); Forsters LLP (2006-2007); Burges Salmon (2007-present); Partner 2017.
Memberships
Agricultural Law Association.
Education
Attended Girton College, University of Cambridge (Geography 1999); University of the West of England, Bristol (Post Graduate Diploma in Law 2000; Legal Practice Course 2001); Member, Board of Governors, Harper Adams University.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘Leader in agricultural work and has been for many years. Real rivals in terms of experience and expertise to London firms.’
‘Kevin Kennedy is very experienced and a very good litigator. He is unflappable and always sees what is best for the client.’
Key clients
- The Crown Estate
- Oxygen Conservation
Work highlights
Advised Oxygen Conservation on its acquisition of the Dorback Estate, a 15,000 acre estate in Cairngorms National Park.