Michelmores LLP's team is spread across a network of offices in the region, allowing it to comprehensively counsel local and national clients, as well as high-net-worth individuals with connections to the US, on a wide range of private wealth questions. Entrepreneurial clients benefit from James Frampton's knowledge of business property relief matters and extensive understanding of US-UK estate planning matters, while practice head Sandra Brown cements the team’s strong reputation for high-value trust administration. Edward Porter handles a wide variety of tax matters and is well regarded for his advice on trust and charity structuring and restructuring mandates. The team’s strengths in landed estate work were bolstered with the arrival of Iwan Williams from Shakespeare Martineau LLP as part of the opening of a new office in Cheltenham in May 2023.
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Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘They understand the technical matters impacting on rural businesses and can apply that to the appropriate business in an understandable way.’
‘The team in Exeter are very responsive and extremely competent. They are very strong on substantial estates and trusts. They are an increasingly rare commodity in regional firms.’
‘James Frampton is very responsive and knowledgeable. Very happy to recommend him. He is very ably assisted by Charlotte Coombs, who is technically very strong.’
‘Iwan Williams is strong, amicable and very knowledgeable alongside being client focused.’
‘James Frampton is a legend when it comes to landed estates and tax planning for families and farms. Not only does he know every corner of the subject inside-out, but he has a way of handling clients and guiding them in the right direction which puts them entirely at ease.’
‘The team have a very good understanding of their clients and their requirements and are very responsive. They have strength in depth, so team members are able to cover all issues which might arise.’
‘The individuals we work with are always accessible, with a firm knowledge and understanding of the cases they deal with and the legal issues involved. Our main contacts are James Frampton, Caroline Alexander, and Charlotte Coombs.’
‘Being based in the south west means clients living in the area have local access to high-quality advice in respect of, for example, the UK tax treatment of US trusts, whereas historically it is likely they would have had to look to London-based firms. James Frampton and Mathew Hiatt are friendly and are able to break down complex matters so clients can understand the situation.’
Lawyers
Next generation partners
Junior partners with significant recognition from clients and peers in the market and key roles on multiple matters.
Practice head
Sandra Brown
Other key lawyers
James Frampton; Edward Porter; Richard Hedger; Iwan Williams; Caroline Alexander; Holly Mieville-Hawkins; Matthew Hiatt; Charlotte Coombs