South West law firms recognised in High Net Worth Guide

Swindon-headquartered Thrings, Bristol-based Clarke Wilmott, and Bath-based Mogers Drewett have been recognised in the Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Guide.

The guide covers private wealth management work and related specialisms, recognising the leading lawyers and law firms for wealthy individuals and families.

Thrings, which also has offices in Bristol and Bath, has won recognition for the firm as a whole, and for one of its partners.

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Penelope Munro (pictured) who works in the firm’s private client team from the Bath office, has been included in the listings for the first time in the 2023 High Net Worth edition, ranked in Band 3, with the firm’s wider team ranked in Band 2.

With her expertise lying within the areas of private wealth and agriculture, Penelope regularly advises the farming community and landowners on succession, supporting families through intricate estate administration with clarity and sensitivity.

This also sees her work with the personal representatives of estates, including businesses and farms, on tax matters and dealing with HMRC to secure claims for relief.

The announcement is the latest inclusion for the firm into the prestigious Chambers and Partners rankings, which has been recognised as a leading source of legal market intelligence for more than 30 years, with a dozen departments and many more individual lawyers also ranked.

Simon Holdsworth, managing partner at Thrings, said: “It is very pleasing to see another of our teams being ranked by Chambers and Partners, with Penelope rightfully recognised as a leader in the area of private wealth law.

“I am proud that the rankings continue to reflect the breadth and depth of the wide-ranging offering that Thrings provides, along with our ability to act as trusted advisers to private individuals, entrepreneurs and family-owned businesses.”

Fiona Kellow, head of the Thrings private client team, added: “Penelope has established a well-earned reputation through her work in private wealth and agriculture and it was only a matter of time before she was formally recognised in the rankings.

"Her work to support clients through what are complex and highly emotional times is outstanding and has played a major part in the wider team being recognised in the rankings this year.”

Meanwhile, Clarke Willmott’s Bristol office has climbed from Band 3 to Band 2 for its private wealth law provision while the Taunton office retained the highest Band 1 ranking.

The guide noted that Clarke Willmott ‘is experienced in complex and often international trust matters, estate planning and wills and probate’ and that the team is ‘competent and thorough, with a clear portrayal of costs involved’.

Individual lawyers named in the guide include Taunton partner David Maddock, who takes a Band 1 ranking in private wealth law, and Bonita Walters, partner in the Bristol office, who is named in Band 1 for private wealth disputes.

Taunton-based Tom Chiffers received a Band 3 ranking and Rebecca Clarke has been named a Star Associate having previously been named an Associate to Watch in 2021.

Anthony Fairweather, head of Clarke Willmott’s private client team (pictured left) said: “To receive this recognition as one of the leading private client law firms in the UK is fantastic.

“The Chambers High Net Worth Guide is a well-respected resource and to be consistently highly ranked is a testament to our hard-working and talented lawyers.

“Our strong and growing presence in all regions of the UK highlights Clarke Willmott’s private client practice as one of the best and most diverse in the country.”

And David Hill (pictured right), a private client partner at South West legal and financial planning firm Mogers Drewett, has been recognised for the fifth year in a row.

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In the guide, clients of David Hill state he “shows great empathy for delicate and personal situations” adding “He is very supportive, friendly, and will go the extra mile to explain complex issues in straightforward ways."

David's areas of expertise include estate and succession planning and professional advisers interviewed for the Guide say: "From a personal observation David relates well to his clients and expresses himself to them in a comprehensive and fully understandable way, and that’s why we work alongside him."

David said: “I am delighted that our clients are happy with the service they receive. Developing long-term relationships with all our clients and professional partners is at the heart of what we do.”