South West regional law firm Michelmores has appointed Charles Courtenay as partner in its commercial and regulatory disputes team to support its growing national and international client base.
Charles, pictured, also brings expertise to the firm’s cross-border disputes, intellectual property and technology practices. 
He joins a team of 25 specialist litigation, arbitration and regulatory lawyers who work across Michelmores’ offices in Bristol, Exeter and London advising national brands, multinational corporations and public bodies.
Charles joins Michelmores from the London office of US firm Latham & Watkins, where he led its European intellectual property disputes practice from 2014.
Previously, he spent eight years practising from Latham & Watkins’ Los Angeles office and working with major global clients, representing a number of leading Silicon Valley companies.
Alongside his legal practice, he is the 19th Earl of Devon and owner of his family’s ancestral home Powderham Castle. This 800-year-old family business is committed to heritage tourism, sustainable land management and community wellbeing. Charles was also last year elected to the House of Lords as a cross-bench hereditary peer.
Both a barrister and a California attorney, he has a wealth of experience trying high stakes litigation and arbitration in both the UK and the US and advising investors and boards of cutting-edge technology firms.
He has also handled regulatory investigations and a number of complex financial and banking matters. He is the second senior barrister to join Michelmores after Andrew Oldland QC moved to the firm from independent practice in 2011. Andrew was appointed Michelmores’ senior partner two years ago.
Head of the firm’s commercial and regulatory disputes team, Jonathan Kitchin, said: “Charles’ decision to join the team endorses and underscores our capability and reputation for handling ‘mission critical’ disputes and resolving serious cases that are often reserved to large international firms. We are delighted to have him on board.”
Michelmores head of business Peter Haigh-Lumby added: “We are thrilled to welcome Charles. He brings with him a wealth of global experience and expertise which will be a huge asset to the firm and our clients.”
Charles Courtenay said joining Michelmores fulfilled a long-held ambition.
“The firm enjoys an excellent reputation and combines the best of London and the South West,” he said. “The firm has demonstrated considerable growth and ambition and provides an excellent platform from which to develop my litigation practice.”
Michelmores opened its Bristol office in 2012 to offer legal services across a range of sectors, including real estate, construction, agriculture, corporate and private wealth.
In total the firm has nearly 70 partners, a further 130 lawyers and a total complement of 460-plus staff across its three offices.
